Back In Time

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20 years ago:

TVNZ’s Fair Go came under fire from NZ Master Builders Federation chief executive Trevor Allsebrook for taking delight in reporting people’s misery.

Mr Allsebrook noted an item where a cowboy builder offered to do alterations or cash then, halfway through a job, said he needed more to complete the job.

“Stories such as this are easy to find, but Fair Go does nothing to stop people falling into this pit. Indeed, it relishes finding people in the pit,” Mr Allsebrook said.

15 years ago:

The BCITO’s new programme for training carpentry apprentices was launched at the Beehive by Tertiary Education Minister Max Bradford. Thirty-eight local launches also took place around the country.

The BCITO had replaced the traditional polytechnic block course theory training with an integrated training in employment programme overseen by apprentices’ employers.

10 years ago:

New Zealand’s oldest spa resort was to undergo a $125 million transformation. Waiwera Thermal Resort and Spa, which dates back to 1875, was to be redeveloped in stages over a five-year period.

The redevelopment plan included a four-star hotel, international-standard spa wellness centre, conference facilities and “enhanced water experiences”. Stage one also involved the building of 120 apartment units.

Staffing numbers were expected to rise from 150 to close to 400 once the redevelopment was complete.

5 years ago:

Registered Master Builders company Leighs Construction headed off to yet another remote location, this time to East Timor, to build the New Zealand embassy complex for the New Zealand Government.

Managing director Anthony Leighs said the company identified the design and build project as an attractive opportunity and were excited by the challenges it held.

The complex included a chancery building, staff residence building, ancillary building, swimming pool and guardhouse all located within a high security perimeter wall.

Not surprisingly, there were a number of logistical hurdles to negotiate to complete the greenfields development. One of these was the time — Dili time — it took for things to happen, from the supply of goods and equipment to the painfully slow customs processes. Not to mention the two weeks it could take to receive a courier.

Most of the shops also closed between 12-2.30pm daily, so it took a bit of time to get in sync with the local siesta time.

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