23/11/2025
I started in the building trade back in January 1967 as an apprentice carpenter/joiner with SPND in Cambridge. (Paid Seven pounds One shilling and Six pence a week. ) After finishing my apprenticeship, I worked on wages for Overwater Brothers, then went out on my own building transportable classrooms and houses for them.
In 1978 I had a break from the tools and spent four years at Cambridge Timber & Hardware. It gave me a good look at the industry from the other side of the counter, working with builders, suppliers and reps every day.
By 1982 I was back to self-employment and stayed that way for the next 25 years, mainly working on one-off, architecturally designed homes and a few light commercial buildings, ie the Cambridge Toyota dealership and the building that has since been turned into the Tivoli Theatre. Also quite a few renovations. A lot of those jobs were challenging, but they were some of the most enjoyable and rewarding builds I’ve done.
In 2007 I headed over to London for a later-life OE and worked with James Bates Builder. Most of the work was major renovations on houses up to 300 years old—quite an experience and very different from home.
I came back to New Zealand in 2008 and carried on working for myself, gradually slowing down over the years. My last house build was finished up in early 2025 so now mostly retired.
