Pāpāmoa's Scott Davies is a finalist at the 2025 Builders Apprentice Challenge

Scott Davies, 20, of Pāpāmoa was the winner at the Tauranga heat for the New Zealand Certified Builders Apprentice Challenge last weekend.

The competition tests apprentices’ carpentry skills under pressure and is held in partnership with BCITO.  

Davies will now compete at the national final in Hamilton this June.  

This year, apprentices were given eight hours to construct a planter box, which will be donated to their local community.  

“It was a really good competition, and it was a great chance to catch up with other builders in the area," he said.

Davies would donate his winning planter box to Pāpāmoa Coast Kindergarten, where he attended.

"I've been in touch with them and they're really excited about that," he said.

"Because all the builders are from different regions I actually don't know any of them, and that's probably the most nerve wrecking part - your unsure of the calibre of builder you're going up against," Davies told 1XX News.

"There's some industry professionals there I would like to go have a chat with and get a bit of networking under my belt.

  “I want to give a special thanks to my mum and dad for their support during this competition.

"Dad, for spending hours helping me prepare jigs, giving me ideas, and coming to support me on the day.

"I would like to dedicate [the win] to my grandad who passed earlier this year he was the one who taught me from a very young age the joys of hands on practical work," Davies said

  He now has both regional titles under his belt: the NZCB Apprentice Challenge and Tauranga's Master Builder of the Year.  

 The finished planter boxes were assessed for workmanship, measuring, cutting, assembly, and attention to detail. Judges also evaluated each apprentice’s ability to follow a detailed plan and apply safe working techniques.  

 “I am looking forward to nationals. It will be a further opportunity to learn and network.

"Getting qualified will be a big achievement, I left school early to do it so I'm looking forward to what comes next really," Davies said.

 NZCB Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming says the Apprentice Challenge is designed to test whether apprentices are ready for the demands of the trade. 

 “For 15 years, the NZCB Apprentice Challenge has given up-and-coming apprentices the opportunity to prove their skills in a real-world, high-pressure environment. 

 “This year the finalists have all shown the professional carpentry standards that NZCB members are known for.”  

Apprenticed to Gudsell Builders, Davies earned a $1,000 Makita and Mitre10 Trade prize pack. He will be flown to Hamilton in June to represent Tauranga at the national final.

There, he will compete against 18 other regional winners for the prestigious Ken Read Memorial Trophy and a $10,000 prize pack. 

Tauranga finalists included 25-year-old Lucy Brailsford-hunt made second place, while 23-year-old Rhys Mckinnon came in third.