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Joe McFayden, a 19 year old apprentice from Christchurch, has won the Canterbury regional heat of the 2026 New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Apprentice Challenge.
McFayden secured victory on 18 April at the 16th annual competition, taking home a $1,000 prize package courtesy of Mitre 10 Trade and Makita.
Easton Stocks, 22, finished runner up, while 40 year old Brent Butler placed third.
The regional heat saw apprentices test their carpentry skills in an eight hour build of a pātaka, or community sharing cupboard.
Judges assessed workmanship, joint accuracy, material efficiency, safe working practices, and the ability to follow a detailed plan. Competitors worked in a public setting under time pressure, with employers, colleagues and family watching on.
Easton Stocks, 22, finished runner up
McFayden, a BCITO apprentice with Keenan Construction, will now advance to the National Final in June. He said competing in front of a crowd was the toughest part of the day.
“The most challenging part was trying to keep a high standard with everyone watching. You start rushing, you start not thinking, and that’s where mistakes happen. Once you get to the end and start working out how long everything’s going to take, the pressure really kicks in,” he said.
“I was pretty surprised to win, to be fair. It was hard under all that pressure, but you just have to do the best you can.”
Brent Butler, 40, took third place
NZCB Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming said the event builds confidence in emerging builders and can be a pivotal milestone early in their careers.
“We’ve got apprentices here who show real potential to lead the industry as trade qualified, certified builders. Against the backdrop of a difficult few years in the sector, the Challenge is a reminder that the industry has a bright future and that we must keep investing in our apprentices,” he said.
Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) Chief Executive Jason Hungerford, whose organisation partnered on the event, said the Challenge reflects the hard work of both employers and apprentices.
“The Challenge gives apprentices the chance to test their skills, sharpen their craft, and stand out in the industry. It also reflects the dedication of the employers, training advisors, and whānau who have put time and resources into developing the next generation of tradespeople,” Hungerford said.
“Many of our BCITO apprentices were encouraged to participate in the Challenge by their employers, and we’re excited to see now what all the participants will do with that opportunity.”
Mitre 10 Head of Trade Mark Moffitt, whose organisation partners with Makita to provide prizes, said hosting the regional heats was a rewarding experience.
“We’re pleased to be a major sponsor of this year’s Challenge.
Hosting most of the regional heats and providing a space for apprentices to showcase their skills was a great way to engage with the builders of the future,” he said.
The National Final will be held at the NZCB annual conference in Auckland on 5 and 6 June, where finalists will compete in a one hour build and present to hundreds of industry leaders. The overall winner will take home a $10,000 prize package from Mitre 10 Trade and the title of the country’s best apprentice.
