This year’s Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year regional representatives have been chosen following practical heats across the country this winter.
Now in its 22nd year, the Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year competition celebrates outstanding talent in carpentry and aims to promote the many career opportunities within New Zealand’s building and construction sector. This year’s regional representatives have been chosen following practical heats across the country.
Assessing a range of skills, including project management, business presentation and hands-on practical ability, the regional events provide a platform for the national finals to be held this October.
Master Builders Chief Executive Ankit Sharma says supporting apprentices is about building skills and futures. “Our industry is growing and changing, with new technologies, building systems, and regulations. But the need for skilled people on the tools remains at the heart of it all.
Here are the 2025 regional heat winners, among the Kiwi construction’s next generation of industry leaders, highlighting excellence in skill, professionalism, and leadership.
Northern
Zane Kawana has been named the Northern regional winner in this year’s competition. The BCITO-trained apprentice works for Done Right Builders. Second to Zane was Owen Broughton, who works for Antonio Builders and third place went to Keaton Cruden, employed by NZ Builders.
Auckland
In Auckland, Jayden Buckingham was crowned regional champion for 2025. Jayden works for Pukekohe Builders and was trained by BCITO. Runner up was Logan Stevenson, employed by Faulkner Construction and third was Burge Builders’ Timothy Burge.
Waikato
The Waikato regional winner for 2025 is Josh Gullery. Josh was trained through BCITO and is employed by JCC Build. The second place in the region went to Cam Brydon, employed by Foster Construction and Mason Apperley from Grant Stewart Building placed third.
Bay of Plenty & Central Plateau
Caleb Stuart has been named the Bay of Plenty & Central Plateau 2025 Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year. Caleb was trained through BCITO and is employed by A Knight Design & Build. Second place went to Richard Murray, employed by J & L Build and Georgia Rendall from Oswald Construction placed third.
Central North Island
Central North Island 2025 Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year is Jade Murray. Jade was trained through BCITO and is employed by Profound Group. The second place was taken out by Jack Stantiall, employed by M Jones Construction and Logan MacIsaac from Inspired Projects was awarded third.
Cook Strait
Masaki McKelvey is the Cook Strait 2025 Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year. Masaki is employed by Scotty’s Construction and was trained through BCITO. Second place was awarded to Dylan Johnston, employed by Tonks Residential Construction and third place went to Benjamin Kearns from Scott Construction.
Canterbury & Southern
The regional winner for the Canterbury and Southern region is Alastair Dixon. Alastair is employed by Breen Construction and was trained through BCITO. The second place was taken out by Cody Harvey, employed by Cavalier Homes and Jake Luthi from Lagan Construction placing third.
For the regional competition, each apprentice submitted a detailed overview of a building project they are working on, followed by a two-hour practical challenge building a planter box. The top 10 entrants were then interviewed by a judging panel and assessed during an on-site visit to their project.
Next steps
The leading apprentice from each region will now progress to the national competition, which includes a 45-minute interview with a national judging panel and an intensive six-hour practical challenge. The national competition will take place on 9–10 October 2025 at The Cloud in Auckland.
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