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The momentum continues for Apprentice of the Year! 🛠️🏆

Last night, the Apprentice of the Year competition featured on TVNZ’s Seven Sharp, showcasing our nine talented national finalists as they battled it out in the practical challenge as well as hearing from past winners, judges and the early childhood centres!👷

Check out the full story! 🎥 by @masterbuildernz

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6 hours ago

The talent was on full display at last week’s 2026 Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year National Final! 🎉

We’re incredibly proud of our 9 finalists, who went head-to-head and gave it their all over two massive days in Tāmaki Makaurau.

🛠️ From a challenging seven-and-a-half-hour practical challenge to a 45-minute interview with the national judging panel, our finalists were put to the test on everything from their building knowledge and practical skills to their communication and project management abilities. As part of the practical challenge, each finalist constructed a wooden truck, with the finished projects generously donated to early childhood centres across Auckland.

A huge congratulations to all nine finalists for their outstanding mahi. Check out some of the action from the National Final! 🎥 by @masterbuildernz

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2 days ago

🥇 A huge round of applause to Oliver Wooles, our 2026 National Apprentice of the Year CHAMPION!! From the Auckland region, Oliver is employed by Harrison Lane and trained through BCITO 🏆

A qualified joiner and an apprentice representative on the Master Builders Southern Sub-Branch Executive in Auckland, the judges said Oliver “embodies the qualities of a future leader in our industry.” What stood out most to them was his attitude toward learning, where he views it as the beginning of a lifelong commitment to developing his skills and knowledge, rather than a finish line.

“His performance in the practical challenge was exceptional. He approached the task with a clear plan, strong process and meticulous execution. Throughout the competition he remained focused, calm and highly detail-oriented, demonstrating both technical excellence and a strong work ethic. Oliver is a fantastic ambassador for the future of New Zealand's building industry and deserves to walk away with the title of the 2026 Master Builders Carters Apprentice of the Year.”

Congratulations Oliver. You’ve done yourself incredibly proud! 👏 by @masterbuildernz

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7 days ago

🥈 Congratulations to Lachy Hughes from Taranaki & Whanganui, who was awarded second at the 2026 National Apprentice of the Year competition! Lachy is employed by Form Building and is trained through BCITO. 🎉

“Already qualified as a boat builder and aluminium joiner, Lachy’s journey reflects his determination to find the trade best suited to his skills and passion. He has clearly found his place in carpentry. Lachy embraces structure and new knowledge, demonstrated through his high-standard practical work and strong technical ability. He combines skill, dedication and professionalism with humility and a strong sense of purpose and his strong performance across the competition made him a worthy second-place winner,” said the competition judges.

🙌 What an achievement! Congratulations Lachy. by @masterbuildernz

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7 days ago

🥉 Well done Dokyun Kim, who took out third place at the 2026 National Apprentice of the Year competition! From the Central & Upper South Island region, Dokyun is employed by Laing Properties and trained through BCITO. 👏

“Dokyun Kim has demonstrated an impressive combination of determination, ambition and character throughout his journey to the building industry. At just 17 years old, he left South Korea to study overseas and learn English on his own, and in the same year completed the trek to Everest Base Camp. In the practical challenge, he demonstrated excellent planning, a thoughtful and structured approach, and a strong standard of workmanship. Dokyun’s resilience, positivity and determination to achieve his goals make him a very worthy recipient of third place,” said the competition judges.

Well done on such an incredible achievement, Dokyun. We can’t wait to see where you go next! 🎉 by @masterbuildernz

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7 days ago

It all comes down to tomorrow. 🔨🏆

New Zealand’s top building apprentices are in Auckland and ready to put their skills to the ultimate test at the 2026 Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year National Practical Challenge.

They’ll have six hours to complete a high-pressure practical build, with skill, precision and problem-solving all put to the test.

Come along and watch the action unfold live as our national finalists battle it out for the title.

📅 Tomorrow - Thursday 8 October (Public welcome from 12:30pm)
📍 Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland
🎟️ Free entry
👉 Register at: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/S7Q9PHQn9K

Come along and see the next generation of New Zealand’s building talent in action! by @masterbuildernz

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9 days ago

🏆 Meet the National Top 9: Dylan Johnston, our Lower North Island Apprentice of the Year!

For Dylan, this year’s regional win was a case of unfinished business.

The Wellington local first entered Apprentice of the Year in 2025, placing second in the Cook Strait region. Rather than leaving it there, he held off getting qualified so he could come back and give the competition another shot.

“I remember thinking, ‘I know I can do better and I want to give it another go.’”

Dylan first got into building through a Gateway placement at school, working every Wednesday with Kyle, who is now his employer. After picking up extra work during the school holidays, he was offered an apprenticeship and has been with the team ever since. 🔨

One of the biggest challenges this time around was the written submission.

“I’ve never been very good with bookwork. I have ADHD and dyslexia, so putting together a roughly 30-page submission was quite tough, but I got it done and I’m really happy with how it came out.”

“When they announced second place and it wasn’t me, I became about 10 times more nervous. Afterwards, I looked at my watch and my heart rate was at about 160 beats per minute!”

Now heading to Nationals, Dylan is especially keen to take on the practical challenge again, the part of the competition he enjoys most.

All the best, Dylan! ⭐ by @masterbuildernz

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10 days ago

🏆 Meet the National Top 9: Logan Crawford-Teague, our Bay of Plenty & Hawke’s Bay Apprentice of the Year!

Born and raised in Tauranga, Logan credits his mum with helping instil the strong work ethic that has shaped his approach to the trade.

After leaving school, he spent two years studying and working as a draughtsman in a steel framing business. While he enjoyed the design side, he wanted a career where he could finish a hard day’s work and see what he had helped create.

When it came time to find an apprenticeship, Logan did his homework. 🔎

“I looked at the previous five years of Apprentice of the Year winners and rang around the companies they were from. The second person I called is now my boss.”

That early interest in the competition eventually led Logan to enter himself, wanting to put his skills to the test and prove what he was capable of.

“For me, doing Apprentice of the Year is about putting yourself out there and getting recognition, but also proving to yourself that you’re capable of doing these things. When they called my name as the regional winner, I think I literally stood up and went, ‘Woohoo!’” 🎉

Now heading to Nationals, Logan says he already feels like he’s gained more than he expected from the experience.

“My cup is already so full. Just entering the competition was a huge achievement, so to win regionals and represent my region at Nationals is insane.”

We’ll be cheering you on, Logan! 🚀 by @masterbuildernz

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11 days ago

🏆 Meet the National Top 9: Benjamin Plummer, our Northern Apprentice of the Year!

Born in South Africa and raised in New Zealand, Benjamin is the first builder in his family, with most of his family taking the university route instead. After moving further north a few years ago, he began his building journey and quickly found a career that suited him.

“I chose building because the people around me who had good work lifestyles were all in the trades. I also liked that the skills you learn can translate into your home life, and there are some really exciting career pathways from there too.

“I entered Apprentice of the Year as I wanted a bit of reassurance and proof to myself that I belong in the industry. I wanted to push myself and see how far I could go, being someone who stands out rather than someone who just blends in.” 💪

That made taking out the Northern title particularly special, especially with his family and employer there to see it.

“Hearing my name called was so, so cool. Having my mum and dad see that meant a lot to me, and for my boss to see it too was awesome.” 🙌

Benjamin says the competition has also reinforced just how important the people around you are as you build your career.

“The people you learn from and the people you have beside you along the way are super important. My boss and crew have been amazing, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”

Congratulations, Benjamin, and all the best for Nationals! 🎉 by @masterbuildernz

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12 days ago

🏆 Meet the National Top 9: Oliver Wooles, our Auckland Apprentice of the Year!

For Oliver, building is actually his second trade. 🧰

After completing a cabinetry apprenticeship and spending time drawing plans in the office, he realised he missed working with his hands. Wanting to keep learning and stay close to his love of timber, he made the move into building.

That interest started young, with his parents regularly getting him involved in renovations at home.

“Dad would always be saying, ‘Come on, pick up the hammer.’ Now that I’ve got young kids myself, I hope to do the same with them.”

Oliver had Apprentice of the Year in his sights from the beginning. When interviewing for his building apprenticeship, he told his employer he wanted to push himself outside his comfort zone and enter the competition.

That paid off when he took out the Auckland title, although Oliver admits he wasn’t expecting to hear his name called. 🎉

“It was actually my wife’s birthday that day and I’d thought that if I won, I could wish her a happy birthday in my speech. Then when I actually got up there, I completely forgot!

“For anyone considering entering, just do it! It pushes you outside your comfort zone, but that’s how you improve. You’re only an apprentice for a few years, so you might only get one or two opportunities to enter.”

Best of luck, Oliver! 👏 by @masterbuildernz

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14 days ago

🏆 Meet the National Top 9: Matt Strawbridge, our Waikato Apprentice of the Year!

Only two and a half years into the trade, Matt has already earned himself a place among the country’s Top 9 apprentices.

Born in London and raised in Cambridge, Matt grew up around building through his dad, before his granny helped him land his first labouring job. After briefly trying electrical work, he found himself drawn back to building.

“What I really like about building is the leadership side of it. The builder on site is generally leading all the different trades, and I really enjoy that aspect.

“At the end, you can look over all the finer details and know you’ve done a good job. That’s pretty awesome.”

A self-described competitive person, Matt had wanted to enter Apprentice of the Year since first hearing about the competition. 🎯

“I wanted to see how I stacked up against other people who also want to be the best. It’s hard to describe how proud and happy I was to take out the regional title. I’ve worked really hard for that moment, so for it to all pay off was pretty cool.”

We’ll be cheering you on, Matt! 🌟 by @masterbuildernz

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14 days ago

🏆 Meet the National Top 9: Lachlan Hughes, our Taranaki & Whanganui Apprentice of the Year!

A Whanganui local, Lachlan’s path into building has taken a few turns. After starting out in boat building, qualifying in aluminium joinery and beginning an electrical apprenticeship, a redundancy eventually led him to the building trade. 🔨

“I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and being able to stand back and actually see the progress you’ve made. With building, you finish one job and move on to the next, so it’s always changing.”

Now two years into his apprenticeship, Lachlan has been working on a technically demanding high-performance home, giving him the chance to develop his skills across everything from specialised wall systems to roof framing. 🏗️

Apprentice of the Year gave him another opportunity to test himself. Encouraged by his boss to enter, Lachlan admits he wasn’t sure what to expect, particularly when it came to the written submission and practical challenge.

“I was super nervous going into it, but I walked away fizzing about it. It was a really good experience.”

Taking out the Taranaki & Whanganui title came as a complete surprise, but it’s shown Lachlan what can happen when you back yourself and give something a shot.

Best of luck, Lachlan! 🚀 by @masterbuildernz

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15 days ago