A close finish in the Waikato/Coromandel

AROUND THE REGIONS — Alan Warburton NZCB Waikato President

WAIKATO

Eight apprentices from across the Waikato and Coromandel battled it out for their place on the podium at this year’s Regional New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Apprentice Challenge Sponsored by ITM.

The event, held on Saturday 10th April at the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) Rotokauri Campus, went off without a hitch despite the challenging build-up to the day due to current supply shortages. Each apprentice put in 110% for the eight hours allocated to complete their bench seats. It was great to see our future builders put their skills and learning into action.

As the day progressed, it was clear it was going to be a close finish. Each apprentice showed strong skills which made it tough for our judges to appoint a winner. Congratulations go to first place getter Ricky Plympton from Hayward Builders Limited, Daniel Pene from Recreate Homes Limited in second, and Renee Saunders from HiSpec Construction Limited in third. Ricky will compete at the finals held during the NZCB Annual Conference and Expo at Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton, from 18th to 19th November. Ricky and the runners up took home ITM vouchers to the value of $500, $300, and $200 respectively. Plus, all eight competitors received an ITM goodie bag. The event drew a good crowd from our local committee members, Wintec staff, MPs, and friends and family of our competitors. There was even a visit from last year’s regional winner and national second place getter, Lucile Richardson.

Thanks to all the amazing apprentices, judges, supporters, suppliers, and the NZCB Waikato/Coromandel committee, this day wouldn’t be a success without you! We look forward to supporting Ricky at the National Final in November.

Bench seat give back

Following the NZCB Apprentice Challenge Sponsored by ITM, our Waikato/Coromandel winner Ricky Plympton and members of the local NZCB Waikato Committee presented two of the completed bench seats to the Waikato/ Bay of Plenty Cancer Society’s Lions Lodge in Hamilton. It was great to meet Operations Manager, Henny Swinkels, and give her the seats along with money raised from a sausage sizzle held during the challenge. The bench seats will be placed in the courtyard at the lodge. Proceeds from the remaining bench seats, sold on Trade Me by the NZCB National Support Office, will be presented to the Cancer Society of New Zealand at this year’s NZCB Annual Conference and Expo.

From left to right: Waikato/Coromandel Regional NZCB Apprentice Challenge Sponsored by ITM third place getter Daniel Pene, winner Ricky Plympton, and second place getter Renee Saunders.

From left to right: Waikato/Coromandel Regional NZCB Apprentice Challenge Sponsored by ITM judges David Reid Homes’ Russell Court, Waikato Institute of Technology Carpentry Tutor Russell Kirby and Hamilton City Councils Alan Raitt.

From left to right: Cancer Society’s Lions Lodge Operations Manager, Henny Swinkels, NZCB Waikato President Alan Warburton, NZCB Waikato Coordinator Savana Maria, NZCB Waikato Committee member Wayne Firth and in front Waikato/Coromandel Regional NZCB Apprentice Challenge Sponsored by ITM winner Ricky Plympton.