News

Christchurch apprentice wins Registered Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year

9 NOVEMBER 2018

Peter Ravn from Christchurch has been named the country’s top carpentry apprentice, taking out the title of Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year at this year’s national competition. Peter went head to head with nine other national finalists, in a tough 6-hour practical challenge. They were tasked with building a complex garden station that put their skills to the test. Read more

carpentry appRENTICEs battle it out for the top spot this friday

6 november 2018

New Zealand’s top ten carpentry apprentices will be putting their skills to the test when they undertake a 6-hour practical challenge this Friday. The judges will be watching closely as the regional finalists’ compete to become the Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

UPPER SOUTH ISLAND REGION’S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

7 SEPTEMBER 2018

Carpentry apprentice Thomas Ashley has been named the Upper South Island Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

HAWKES BAY EAST COAST REGION’S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

31 AUGUST 2018

Carpentry apprentice Matthew Morison has been named the Hawke’s Bay East Coast Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

Bay of Plenty East Coast REGION’S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

31 AUGUST 2018

Carpentry apprentice Sam Pulis has been named the Bay of Plenty Central Plateau Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

hawkes Bay East Coast REGION’S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

31 AUGUST 2018

Carpentry apprentice Matthew Morison has been named the Hawkes Bay East Coast Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

Central North Island Region's top apprentice announced

31 AUGUST 2018

Carpentry apprentice Corbin Mills has been named the Central North Island Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

lower North ISLAND REGION’S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

24 AUGUST 2018

Carpentry apprentice Kyle Tonks has been named the Lower North Island Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

southern REGION’S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

24 AUGUST 2018

Carpentry apprentice Angus Gray has been named the Southern Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

Central South Island REGION’S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

23 AUGUST 2018

Carpentry apprentice Peter Ravn has been named the Central South Island Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

Auckland REGION’S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

23 AUGUST 2018

Carpentry apprentice Thomas Monnery has been named the Auckland Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

Northern REGION’S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

23 AUGUST 2018

Carpentry apprentice Callum Craddock has been named the Northern Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

Waikato region’s top carpentry apprentice announced

10 August 2018

Carpentry apprentice Curtis Taukiri has been named the Waikato Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

Apprentices vie for regional title in whanganui

2 July 2018

It was pretty nerve wracking being watched while completing a carpentry task on Saturday, Whanganui apprentice Steve Christensen says. Read more...

Chipping away at selection

2 July 2018

Twelve carpentry apprentices across Otago, Southland took part in a practical test challenge on Daturday, in a bid towards selection for the title of Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

pitting skills against the best

3 July 2018

Carpenter Jordan Isaac represented Gisborne at the regional stage of the RMBS 2018 Apprentivfe of the Year competition at the weekend. Read more...

Competition building as top tradies step up to the challenge

5 June 2018

Entries for the Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year have now closed, with more than 130 apprentices entering from across the country. They will go head to head for the sought-after title and share of more than $100,000 worth of prizes.

With New Zealand currently facing its biggest ever building boom, this competition comes at the perfect time to highlight the urgent need for more apprentices. Read more

Search is on for NZ's top carpentry apprentice

9 April 2018

Carpentry apprentices from across New Zealand are being called to show off their skills and compete for the coveted title of Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2018 Apprentice of the Year.

The competition comes at a crucial time as New Zealand’s building boom continues. With the carpentry workforce expected to grow by more than 17,000 workers by 2020 (21%), there has never been a better time to build a career in the trades.

Registered Master Builders Chief Executive David Kelly says Apprentice of the Year supports the industry by showcasing the skills of its future leaders.

“Apprentice of the Year is the leading apprentice competition for the building and construction sector. Taking part in the competition is a fantastic way for apprentices to establish their careers in the industry. The competition participants go on to become our future leaders and we want to encourage all ambitious apprentices to take part. Read more...

Building a career and breaking down barriers

14 March 2018 stuff.co.nz

Olivia Ward says that the tide is turning in trades - with more female builders, electricians and plumbers taking up apprenticeships.

Working in construction was something Olivia Ward had never really planned for, but the young Blenheim builder is rapidly making a name for herself in the traditionally male-dominated industry.

However, being a tradesperson wasn't something Ward specifically set out to do. Read more...

Waikato’s top carpentry apprentice wins national award

3 NOVEMBER 2017 MEDIA RELEASE

Vincent Hubbard from Hamilton has been named the country’s top carpentry apprentice, taking out the title of Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year at this year’s national competition.

Earlier today, the ten national finalists took to their tools for a six-hour practical challenge where they were tasked with building ‘puppy palaces’ which will be donated to the SPCA. Vincent’s puppy palace impressed the judges enough to take out the top prize, and was crowned the 2017 Apprentice of the Year. Read more...

And see photos from the practical competition here.

TV coverage - National finals:

4 November 2017 TV1

Right now there's around 11,000 apprentices in training - the majority carpenters.

But Master Builders say that number needs to double. A group of young builders today vying for apprentice of the year, already know their future is assured. Read more...

TV COveraGE: More employers encouraged to take on apprentices

4 November 2017 Maori TV

Carpentry apprentices are on the rise, but there's concern for a lack of work once they've completed their training. Registered Master Builder CE David Kelly hopes the NZ's Apprentice of the Year competition will encouraging more employers to take them on.

Olivia Ward and Atigiapa Merick took out their respective regional competitions to make the national final. To win the national competition, a judging panel interviewed the 10 competitors and set a six-hour practical challenge... read more

Employers call on government to help with apprentice training

4 November 2017 Newshub

The organisation responsible for training apprentices, BCITO, has a plan to reduce the gap between the numbers training and the jobs available. They've been calling on the Government to help subsidise the wages of apprentices to tackle the huge shortage of experienced workers. read more...

Apprentice competing for top spot

31 October 2017 Hawkes Bay Today

A Napier carpenter has his sights set on taking home the national title at this year's Registered Master Builders Carters 2017 Apprentice of the Year. Jack Clifford will be among 10 young carpenters competing for the top award in Auckland later this week.

Top Carpentry Apprentices Go Head to Head at Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year

30 October 2017 media Release

New Zealand’s top carpentry apprentices are getting ready to battle it out for the title of Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year on Friday 3 November.

Who will be the Registered master builders CARTERS Apprentice of the year?

October 2017 Building Today

The future leaders of New Zealand’s construction industry are preparing for a showdown at the Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year competition in November.

Each finalist has already demonstrated their high level of knowledge and professional skills on the tools in their respective regional competitions, which earned them the title of regional Apprentice of the Year and a place at the national competition.

Get to know each of our finalists here. Read more...

Hutt chippy named lower north island's top carpentry APPRENTICE

1 3 September 2017 Stuff.co.nz

A Lower Hutt chippy nailed the judges with his "confident attitude and in-depth knowledge" to be named the lower North Island Registered Master Builders Carters 2017 Apprentice of the Year. Jamie Gaskin said he was "pretty surprised" when his name was called out... Read more...

Young hawkes bay builder on his way to national competition

27 August 2017 NZ Herald

A young builder's knack with technology has resulted in him being recognised as the local Apprentice of the Year. Born and raised in Napier, Jack Clifford 22, won the top award... Read more...

Building apprentice snaps up second place in contest

18 August 2017 New Zealand Herald

Whanganui carpentry apprentice Jack Aplin has won second place in the regional final of the Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year competition... Read more...

Palmerston North CARPENTRY APPRENTICE overwhelmed by Central north island win

9 September 2017 Stuff.co.nz

...Central North Island Registered Master Builders 2017 Apprentice of the Year Atigiapa "Tingi" Meyrick with proud bosses, Cameron Isles and ... Read more...

Warworth's seth named apprentice of the year

3 September 2017 Stuff.co.nz

...Carpentry apprentice Seth Foote has been named the Northern Registered Master Builders Carters 2017 Apprentice of the Year.. Read more...

QUEENSTOWN MAN NAMED TOP SOUTHERN APPRENTICE

8/9/2017 Otago Daily Times

...carpentry apprentice Josh Atkins (25) was last night named the Southern Registered Master Builders Carters 2017 Apprentice of the Year.

southern REGION'S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

9 September 2017

Carpentry apprentice Josh Atkins has been named the Southern Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year.

The 25-year-old from Queenstown trained through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and is employed by Bayshore Builders.

Judges were impressed with Josh’s in-depth and detailed knowledge of the building industry. Read more...

upper south ISLAND REGION'S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

9 September 2017

Carpentry apprentice Olivia Ward has been named the Upper South Island Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year.

The 22-year-old from Seddon trained through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and is employed by Hunt Construction.

Judges said Olivia demonstrated the passion, skills and knowledge that clearly put her at the top of this competition. . Read more...

LOWEr north island REGION'S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

4 September 2017

Carpentry apprentice Jamie Gaskin has been named the Lower North Island Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year.

The 22-year-old from Lower Hutt trained through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and is employed by Black Sheep Construction. Read more...

bay of plenty central plateau REGION'S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

25 August 2017

Carpentry apprentice Matthew Abbott has been named the Bay of Plenty Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year.

The 22-year-old from Tauranga trained through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and is employed by Calley Homes.

Matthew impressed the judges with the skills he had learned from his apprenticeship. The judging process involved a written project submission followed by an interview with a regional judging panel for the top ten apprentices in each region. Judges then visit the apprentices on site to discuss their project and the personal contribution made to it. Read more...

Northern REGION'S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

25 August 2017

Carpentry apprentice Seth Foote has been named the Northern Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year.

The 26-year-old from Warkworth trained through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and is employed by Brackenridge Builders.

Seth impressed the judges with the skills he had learned from his apprenticeship. The judging process involved a written project submission followed by an interview with a regional judging panel for the top ten apprentices in each region. Judges then visit the apprentices on site to discuss their project and the personal contribution made to it. Read more...

AUckland REGION'S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

25 August 2017

Carpentry apprentice Logan Alderson has been named the Auckland Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year.

The 20-year-old from Manurewa trained through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and is employed by CS Building.

Logan impressed the judges with the skills he had learned from his apprenticeship. The judging process involved a written project submission followed by an interview with a regional judging panel for the top ten apprentices in each region. Judges then visit the apprentices on site to discuss their project and the personal contribution made to it. Read more

Hawkes Bay East Coast REGION'S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

25 August 2017

Carpentry apprentice Jack Clifford has been named the Hawke’s Bay East Coast Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year.

The 24-year-old from Napier trained through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and is employed by Christie Builders and Joiners.

Jack impressed the judges with the skills he had learned from his apprenticeship. The judging process involved a written project submission followed by an interview with a regional judging panel for the top ten apprentices in each region. Judges then visit the apprentices on site to discuss their project and the personal contribution made to it. Read more...

Waikato REGION'S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

25 August 2017

Carpentry apprentice Vincent Hubbard has been named the Waikato Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year.

The 24-year-old from Hamilton trained through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and is employed by Urban Homes.

Vincent impressed the judges with the skills he had learned from his apprenticeship. The judging process involved a written project submission followed by an interview with a regional judging panel for the top ten apprentices in each region. Judges then visit the apprentices on site to discuss their project and the personal contribution made to it. Read more

CENTRAL SOUTH ISLAND REGION'S TOP CARPENTRY APPRENTICE ANNOUNCED

24 August 2017

Carpentry apprentice Samuel Faid has been named the Central South Island Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year. The 20-year-old from Christchurch trained through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and is employed by Jina Andrews Construction Limited. Sam impressed the judges with the skills he had learned from his apprenticeship. The judging process involved a written project submission followed by an interview with a regional judging panel for the top ten apprentices in each region. Judges then visit the apprentices on site to discuss their project and the personal contribution made to it. Read more

central north island region's top carpentry apprentice announced

19 August 2017

Carpentry apprentice Atigiapa Meyrick has been named the Central North Island Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year.

The 23-year-old from Palmerston North trained through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and is employed by Isles Construction Limited.

Judges said that Atigiapa’s enthusiasm and preparation played a major role in his win. Read more

Competition building as top tradies step up to the challenge

7 April 2017

Entries for the Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year have now closed, with more than 160 apprentices entering from across the country. They will go head to head for the sought-after title and share of more than $100,000 worth of prizes.

New Zealand is currently facing its biggest ever building boom. The Government is investing $14.4 million in industry training over the next four years to help fill the nationwide construction skills shortage so this competition comes at the perfect time to highlight the urgent need for more apprentices. Read more

Search is on for NZ’s top carpentry apprentice

10 April 2017

Carpentry apprentices from across New Zealand are being called to show their skills and compete in the Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year.

This year’s competition is bound to be one of the toughest yet, as New Zealand’s construction and building boom continues. With one in five new jobs created in the next three years’ forecast to be in construction*, an apprenticeship in the trades offers significant opportunities. Read more

Palmerston North carpentry apprentice wins national award! (Media Release)

4 Nov 2016

Callum Bryson from Palmerston North has been named the country’s top carpentry apprentice,taking out the title of Registered Master Builders Carters 2016 Apprentice of the Year at this year’s national competition.

nelson carpentry apprentice wins national award

9 October 2015

Shaun Campbell, from the Upper South Island region, has been named the country’s top carpentry apprentice, taking out the national award at the Registered Master Builders Carters 2015 Apprentice of the Year competition.

Important Dates 2019

Entries open 1 April 2019 - 20 May
Heads up meetings – details of the info sessions around NZ in April & May where you can find out more about the competition [coming soon for 2019]
Regional Practical Saturday 22 June
July and August – Regional Judging and Interviews
August and September – Regional Awards Events (see dates below)

National Judging and Awards in Auckland in 7-8 November 2019 (comprising the practical building challenge & interviews).
National Final - Practical Build Challenge (open to the public 9.30-1pm) ASB showgrounds, Hall 2 next to 'Auckland Build'.

And National Awards Gala Friday 8th November 2019 6.30pm ASB Showgrounds (ticket only)

Regional Awards Events 2019

(These dates/venues are subject to change based on entry numbers, please check closer to the time for confirmation).

Auckland and Northern - Friday 23 August
Waikato - Friday 6 September
Bay of Plenty Central Plateau - Friday 16 August
Central North Island - Friday 13 September
Hawke's Bay East Coast - Friday 30 August
Lower North Island - Friday 13 September
Upper South Island - Friday 30 August
Central South Island - Thursday 22 August
Southern - Friday 6 September

To view 2019 venue and RSVP information click here for details once live

For more information contact:

Registered Master Builders
Contact us: 0800 762 328