A Canterbury building apprentice whose precision was sharpened through earlier work in boat building and cabinetmaking has been named the Central and Upper South Island’s best.

Dokyun Kim, who works for Rolleston-based Laing Properties, won the regional 2026 Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year competition.

Caleb Scott, of Nelson’s Big Bad Wolf Builders, placed second, while William Farnsworth, of Blenheim-based Taylor & Co Building, finished third.

Kim and Farnsworth trained through BCITO, while Scott trained through the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology.

Judges said Kim delivered an outstanding performance across every stage of the competition and demonstrated a strong technical understanding of a complex transportable home project.

His previous experience in boat building and cabinetmaking was evident in his accuracy, practical thinking and high standard of finish.

During the interview and site visit, Kim explained how the home’s two mirrored sections would be transported and connected and showed judges challenging work he had personally completed, including a frameless slider.

Judges also praised his preparation, confidence and pride in the trade.

Master Builders chief executive Ankit Sharma said skilled apprentices remained central to delivering the high-quality homes and buildings New Zealand needed.

“Apprentice of the Year gives emerging builders the chance to demonstrate not only their practical ability, but also the professionalism, knowledge and leadership they are developing throughout their training,” Sharma said.

“The standard displayed throughout this year’s competition gives us real confidence in the next generation of builders and our future industry leaders.”

Across New Zealand, 95 apprentices from nine regions took part in the regional competition.

Entrants submitted a detailed overview of a building project before completing a two-hour practical challenge, which involved constructing a project box revealed on the morning of the competition.

The region’s top 10 competitors were then interviewed by a judging panel and assessed during site visits, where they were tested on their technical understanding, communication, involvement in their projects and wider industry knowledge.

Kim will now represent the Central and Upper South Island at the national competition at The Cloud in Auckland from 7 to 9 October.

The national contest will include a 45-minute interview and an intensive six-hour practical challenge.

Each regional winner will have the opportunity to attend a 16-day Outward Bound course and the National House of the Year gala. The national winner will receive a CARTERS Career Advancement Grant and the use of a new ute for one year.