Construction Project Management

Delivering projects that evolve your business

Helping clients get the right outcome, not just a completed project.

20+
Years Experience
50+
Projects Delivered
$20k–$493M
Project Value Range
NZ / UK / Korea
International Reach

Why Evolve Projects

Projects succeed when the right person is in your corner

I started Evolve Projects because too many good projects go wrong. Not from lack of vision, but lack of the right oversight at the right time.

I work beside my clients at every stage, bringing the clarity, oversight and confidence your project deserves.

Independent and on your side

My only interest is your project's success. No agendas, no distractions. Just clear, focused advice when you need it most.

Senior expertise without the big-firm overhead

The experience of a large consultancy, without the layers. I lead every engagement, personally.

Tailored to your project

I adapt my approach to your project's scale, risk profile, and stage.

Proven across sectors

From Education and Defence to Rail and process. A track record that speaks across New Zealand, Korea and the UK.

Need a bigger team?

When your project needs more, I build the team around it

For projects requiring a full delivery team, I draw on established relationships with designers, engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors, and specialist consultants across New Zealand. Appointments can be made directly by you or consolidated through Evolve, whichever suits your project best. Either way, I remain your single point of contact throughout.

Trusted network of designers, engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors, and specialist consultants across New Zealand.

Pay the right fee for the roles actually needed. No bloated teams, no unnecessary overhead.

Appointments direct or through Evolve, whichever model suits your project and organisation.

I remain your primary point of contact, always accountable, regardless of how the team is structured.

About
A trusted partner for delivery
Twenty years of showing up, taking ownership, and delivering.

I'm Tim Davis, principal of Evolve Projects Limited, a Dunedin-based project management consultancy with over 20 years of experience delivering complex projects across New Zealand, the UK, and internationally.

I've spent 20 years refining how I work. Every project gets a fresh set of eyes and I take the time to understand what's actually needed before deciding how to help.

Whether I'm setting up governance at the start, managing construction, or stepping in mid-project to sort things out, I stay focused on what matters: delivering on time and within budget.

How I work

Tailored to your needs

I develop the right delivery model for your specific project, not a template applied from the last one.

Proven systems

I use systems and frameworks I've developed over 20 years. They work because they've been tested on real projects.

Full lifecycle capability

I can help at any point, from setting up the project right through to final handover.

Senior commitment

Every job is led by me personally. No handoffs.

What we do
Our services
Services covering every phase of a project. I apply what's needed, nothing more.

Project Management

Day-to-day project delivery. I coordinate consultants, contractors and stakeholders and keep everyone pointed in the same direction.

→ Your project delivered on time and on budget

Engineer to the Contract / Independent Certifier

Impartial contract administration and certification under NZS3910 and similar forms of contract.

→ Independent oversight both parties can trust

Project Governance & Reporting

Governance frameworks, reporting structures, and clear decision-making protocols from initiation to closeout.

→ Stakeholders always know where they stand

Project Health Check & Recovery

Independent review of projects experiencing time, cost, or quality issues, at any stage of the lifecycle.

→ Fresh perspective, fast back on track

Financial Management

Budget control from setup to final account. I assess progress claims, track costs, and make sure there are no surprises at the end.

→ No cost surprises, ever

Risk Review & Mitigation

I identify risks early, keep the register current, and make sure issues are dealt with before they become problems.

→ Issues caught before they become problems

Contract Management

Procurement, variations, RFIs, claims and close-out. The contractual side, handled properly.

→ Contractual obligations managed precisely

Planning & Scheduling

Programme setup, baseline control and delay analysis. When things slip, I work out why and what to do about it.

→ Programme clarity from day one

Delivery Support & Secondments

Sometimes you need an extra pair of experienced hands. I slot into your team, work within your systems, and keep things moving while you sort out the longer-term picture.

→ Continuity maintained, handover seamless
Sectors
Industries we serve
From schools and universities to defence facilities, rail infrastructure, and food processing plants. I bring the right expertise to every sector.

Education

Schools, universities, and tertiary campuses across New Zealand and the UK.

15+ projects

Commercial & Office Fit-Out

Workplace fit-outs, refurbishments, and commercial developments.

10+ projects

Defence

Secure facilities, key assets and infrastructure for the New Zealand Ministry of Defence.

3+ projects

Infrastructure & Rail

Rail and critical infrastructure projects nationally.

8+ projects

Process & Manufacturing

Food processing, automation, industrial, and manufacturing facility projects.

8+ projects

Local Government

Infrastructure, facilities, and capital works programmes for councils and public sector clients.

4+ projects
Case Studies
Projects in depth
A closer look at how I deliver for clients. The project, my role, and the outcome.

Arthur Street School Redevelopment

Ministry of Education  ·  Dunedin  ·  Contractor: Naylor Love Dunedin

$10.5M Engineer to the Contract Design Management Procurement Governance
Project overview

A complete redevelopment of an inner-city primary school, repositioning the teaching and administration building to the front of the site with a separate library and multi-use hall alongside. The new layout significantly improved site circulation and freed up the rear of the site for outdoor play, including a new multi-use court.

Construction was delivered in multiple stages to keep the school operational throughout, requiring careful coordination of restricted site access, student safety, demolition, and new construction in a live school environment.

My role & added value
Design management Led the design team through all stages of design development, maintaining control of the consultant programme and ensuring full compliance with the Ministry of Education's design standards, approved business case, and budget parameters. Design decisions were actively tracked to prevent scope creep and maintain alignment with the approved project brief.
Independent contract administration Multiple contractor claims arose from resource and material availability issues, unexpected site discoveries, and modified work methodologies needed to keep the school open.
Fair and transparent decision-making I worked closely with all parties to understand each issue early, providing independent advice and, where required, formal determinations. All decisions were grounded in the contract and assessed against what was fair and reasonable.
Proactive stakeholder management Early identification and open communication between the Ministry, school, and contractor kept the project moving and disputes to a minimum.

HMNZS Aotearoa: Maritime Sustainment Capability

Ministry of Defence  ·  Hyundai Heavy Industries, South Korea  ·  In-country Lead

$493M Project Management Financial Management Contract Management
Project overview

The Maritime Sustainment Capability project delivered New Zealand's new naval replenishment vessel, HMNZS Aotearoa, the largest ship ever operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy. Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, the vessel was designed to support the RNZN's deployed task forces with fuel, stores, and humanitarian aid, with a Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened hull enabling operations in Antarctic conditions.

The ship was laid down in August 2018, launched in April 2019, and delivered to the Navy in June 2020, with commissioning on 29 July 2020. I served as the Ministry of Defence's In-country Lead throughout the build programme in South Korea, responsible for oversight of the entire delivery from the shipyard through to commissioning and introduction into service.

My role & added value
Financial control and reporting I managed the $493M project budget with direct financial reporting to the Secretary of Defence and the New Zealand Treasury, keeping cost control tight and the reporting transparent throughout.
Contract oversight and performance monitoring I monitored Hyundai Heavy Industries against their contractual obligations throughout the build, stepping in early when issues arose to keep the programme on track and protect New Zealand's interests.
Master programme management I established the master programme covering design, build, and introduction into service, tracked critical path activities and managed change to keep delivery on schedule.
Project board reporting and change management I prepared and presented regular project board reports and managed change control so that all variations were properly assessed, approved and captured in the programme and budget.
In-country team leadership I led the New Zealand Ministry of Defence team on the ground in South Korea, keeping the team focused, supported and performing well across a long and demanding programme.
Stakeholder and diplomatic liaison I managed the relationship with the New Zealand Embassy and Korean authorities, and coordinated all visiting dignitaries. Working across cultures and jurisdictions in a high-profile government project required careful relationship management throughout.

Interim Property Team Leadership

Dunedin City Council  ·  Dunedin, New Zealand

Delivery Support / Secondment Local Government
Project overview

The Dunedin City Council's property team required interim leadership and direction during a management transition period while a permanent manager was recruited. The team needed continued momentum on a live capital works programme, and the wider Council needed confidence that delivery would not stall during the gap.

The role required a fully embedded, part-time resource working directly alongside the Group Manager, flexible enough to prioritise key activities without incurring excessive fees.

My role & added value
Governance and delivery systems I put in place project governance structures and delivery systems that gave the team a clear framework to work within and gave the Council confidence that projects were being progressed properly.
Forward delivery programme I built out the forward capital works programme to sit alongside the Council's 10-year plan, so leadership had a clear picture of what was coming and when.
Recruitment support and team mentoring I helped review job descriptions and sat on interview panels for the permanent role, and supported the property team through the transition, keeping morale up and standards high while things were unsettled.

Capital Works Programme Delivery Support

Silver Fern Farms  ·  New Zealand

Delivery Support / Secondment Process & Manufacturing
Project overview

A high workload within Silver Fern Farms' internal engineering team created the need for an experienced additional resource to manage delivery of a large and varied capital works programme across live processing facilities.

The role required rapid onboarding into SFF's delivery processes, gateways, and systems, and the ability to work effectively within the constraints of an active processing environment where production impact is always a primary consideration.

My role & added value
Embedded project delivery I was fully integrated into the SFF team with access to their project systems, email and finance tools. At least one day a week on-site, more when needed. I worked as part of the team, not as an outside consultant.
Production risk management Working in a live processing facility means production always comes first. I managed impact assessments, responded to an emergency storm event, and handled machine safety and risk reviews, all while keeping the capital programme moving.
Procurement and programme governance I led procurement, managed budgets and consultants, and prepared stage gate presentations for senior leaders. With a large and varied programme running across multiple sites, keeping things organised and moving was the job.
Contact
Let's talk about your project
Get in touch to discuss your project. I'm always happy to have an initial conversation at no obligation.

LocationMy office is in Dunedin. My projects don't have to be.