Waipa teenager Jack Mathis placed second in the New Zealand Certified Builders Apprentice challenge national final at Claudelands Event Centre last week.
Mathis was crowned Waikato apprentice of the year in April. Photo: Jesse Wood
A third-year apprentice, Mathis works in Tīrau for TOC Builders, owned by his brother Tom. It’s been a big few months for the 19-year-old, an old boy of St Peter’s School in Cambridge.
Born and raised in Tirau, Mathis and his partner recently bought a house to renovate in Te Awamutu and in April, he was crowned Waikato apprentice of the year at Hautapu.
This gained him entry to the national competition in Hamilton.
Mathis was one of 19 apprentices to compete on Friday and Saturday at the 15th annual two-day challenge run in partnership with Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation.
The event runs alongside the NZCB annual conference attended by more than 400 industry professionals from across the country.
Competitors were tested on the practical skills and qualities expected of professional builders.
Mathis in the process of making a sawhorse in the hands-on carpentry challenge. Photo: Jesse Wood
Finalists were assessed across four components a practical skills test, panel interview, and a project presentation before a CV and portfolio submission, presenting a showcase of their work to date.
The practical test was a hands-on carpentry challenge.
The champion – Pāpāmoa-based Scott Davies – was announced at the Gala Dinner on Saturday night. Mathis walked away with a $7000 prize pack for his efforts.
“It felt pretty good to win the Waikato competition. I wasn’t expecting that at all,” he said. “It was good fun being at the nationals too. There were heaps of learnings. I haven’t had a CV before, so I had to do one of those.
“The other apprentices were all sorts of ages. It was a good range of people from all over New Zealand. It’s good to see, good to meet them and see their style of building as well.”
Mathis began his apprenticeship in 2022 after leaving St Peter’s School in Cambridge.
“I did a bit of work experience with Tom through school. Straight out of school, I went to work for him with him ever since, that must be coming up three years now.
“I did about six weeks with one of my other brothers being a sparky [electrician] and I’ve did a lot of plumbing during school in Rotorua, just to see what trade I would enjoy.
“I chose building because there’s more money to be made in property. I can go and renovate a house and it’s more money to make than just your day-to-day job.”
Mathis said his partner is his number one supporter. She’s always been there for him.
“I’d also like to thank Mum and Dad and all my brothers, but especially Tom for signing me up to this competition,’ Mathis said.
“He pushed me to become a builder and he taught me everything he knows so I can be where I am today.”
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Jack Mathis came second in the New Zealand Certified Builders Apprentice (NZCBA) challenge 2025 national final. Photo: Supplied
