Waikato apprentice challenge in Cambridge
24 April 2025
- The original article has been changed. Timmo’s ITM is still owned and operated by Clayton and Nicky Timmo and not Jack Mathis’ brother. Timmo’s joined ITM in 2004 and after nearly 40 years of operating from Cambridge Rd, they recently built a new store with a covered drive through in Riverhurst Drive.
17 April 2025
Te Awamutu apprentice Jack Mathis may have been the youngest competing at the builders’ challenge event in Cambridge on Saturday, but his carpentry skills were the best on show.
Te Awamutu building apprentice Jack Mathis during the planter box build. Photo: Supplied
Judges selected the 19-year-old as their winner in the Waikato heat of the New Zealand Certified Builders Apprentice (NZCBA) challenge held at Mitre 10, and he now advances to the national final in Hamilton.
Hamilton’s Warren Zarsuelo, 39, was second while Anam Farrant, 22, of Cambridge came in third.
But the big winner is arguably the Tokoroa playcentre that Jack’s two nieces attend which will get the planter box he made as part of the competition.
“I went in hoping not to come last, so I was pretty stoked to win,” he said.
“It was a great experience. I really enjoyed the more technical parts of the build and getting to meet other apprentices.”
Jack is into his third year of apprenticeship training with the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and TOC Builders, owned by his brother Tom, who recently took over ownership of the Te Awamutu ITM.
Most of the family work in a trade or on a farm.
“Having a trade under my belt is something I’ll be able to use in many aspects of my life,” said Jack.
“I can’t wait for the national final,” he said.
The competition tests apprentices’ carpentry skills under pressure.
Apprentices were given eight hours to construct a planter box, which were donated to their local community.
Waikato apprentice challenge
The finished 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.
Jack won a $1000 Makita and Mitre10 Trade prize pack.
He will represent Waikato at the national final in June, where he will compete against 19 other regional winners for the prestigious Ken Read Memorial Trophy and a $10,000 prize pack.
Anam was homeschooled on Waiheke Island before moving to board at St Peter’s School in Cambridge. After finishing he stayed to play rugby for Hautapu Sports, turning out at first five for the premier team.
On the look out for a job, he asked the builder renovating his parent’s home if he needed any labourers and was offered a job, progressing to an apprenticeship studying at Wintec.
NZCB chief executive Malcolm Fleming said the challenge was designed to test whether apprentices were 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 members are known for.”
The other 11 entrants were Hoani De Cleene (Putāruru), Jonathon Walton (Morrinsville), Xavier Croft (South Waikato), Tane Makiri, Angus Taylor, Mike Lanting, Jennel Mongcal, Daniel Mercado (all Hamilton).
Waikato winners at the builders’ challenge, from left Warren Zarsuelo, Jack Mathis and Anam Farrant.
