Oliver Wooles of Harrison Lane has been named the Auckland 2026 Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year ahead of second-placed Connor Glengarry of Glenbuild and third-placed Noah Rooke of Faulkner Construction. All three apprentices were trained through the BCITO.
Oliver wowed the judges for the consistently high standard he brought to every stage of the competition. His strong technical knowledge, maturity and understanding of the wider industry impressed judges during the interview, while the site visit highlighted the pride he takes in his work, and his attention to detail.
He capped off an impressive performance with one of the strongest practical assessments in the region, working methodically and accurately to produce a result that was difficult to fault.
Now in its 23rd year, the Apprentice of the Year competition, delivered in partnership with CARTERS, is New Zealand’s leading competition for construction apprentices. It recognises and celebrates apprentices who are building strong skills and showing promise as the next generation of industry leaders.
Master Builders chief executive Ankit Sharma says the competition provides an important opportunity to recognise apprentices who are building strong foundations for their careers.
“As our sector continues to evolve, skilled apprentices remain at the heart of delivering the high-quality homes and buildings New Zealand needs,” Sharma says.
“Apprentice of the Year gives emerging builders the chance to demonstrate not only their practical ability, but also the professionalism, knowledge and leadership they are developing throughout their training. It is encouraging to see such strong talent coming through the industry, and the standard displayed throughout this year’s competition gives us real confidence in the next generation of builders and our future industry leaders.”
Across New Zealand, 95 apprentices from nine regions took part in the 2026 regional competition. Each apprentice submitted a detailed overview of a building project they were working on before completing a two-hour practical challenge, which required them to build a project box revealed on the morning of the competition.
The top 10 regional competitors were then interviewed by a judging panel and assessed during an on-site visit to their project, where they were tested on their technical understanding, communication, project involvement and wider industry knowledge.
The leading apprentice from each region will now progress to the national competition, which includes a 45-minute interview with a national judging panel, and an intensive six-hour practical challenge. The national competition will take place on October 7-9, 2026, at The Cloud in Auckland.
All regional winners will have the opportunity to attend a 16-day Outward Bound course, receive a ticket to the National House of the Year gala event including travel and accommodation, and a place at the National Final. The national winner will receive a CARTERS Career Advancement Grant, and the use of a brand-new ute for one year, courtesy of CARTERS.
For more information about the competition, visit apprenticeoftheyear.co.nz.
Judges’ comments
1st Place: Oliver Wooles (Harrison Lane)
Oliver’s submission was an excellent entry, combining strong technical knowledge with a clear understanding of his project from start to finish. His joinery background was evident in the quality of detail throughout, while his interview showed a level of maturity that impressed the judges.
He spoke confidently about the project and demonstrated an understanding of the wider industry beyond the tools, including communication, business operations and project administration.
The site visit reinforced the pride Oliver takes in his work, with the quality of the finishing and his organisation standing out. He then delivered one of the strongest practical assessments in the region, working methodically and accurately to produce a finished result that was difficult to fault.
Oliver’s consistently high standard across the competition made an outstanding impression on the judges and marks him as a highly deserving regional winner. Well done.
2nd Place: Connor Glengarry (Glenbuild)
Connor’s exceptionally well-organised submission reflected his strong involvement in the project and willingness to take responsibility on site. He clearly explained the work completed, and showed how he had stepped up when opportunities arose to take the lead.
During the interview, Connor presented confidently and demonstrated sound knowledge across areas including health and safety, timber treatments and structural building principles.
His site visit showcased the high standards he has developed through working on architectural and heritage homes. The judges were impressed by his eye for detail and the pride he takes in his workmanship, from structural elements through to intricate finishing.
Connor carried this into the practical challenge, managing his time effectively and completing the project to a very high standard, while still allowing time for sanding and presentation. His commitment to quality gives him a strong foundation for the future. Congratulations.
3rd Place: Noah Rooke (Faulkner Construction)
Noah’s detailed submission demonstrated excellent technical knowledge and a strong understanding of a complex project. His involvement in challenging work, including a curved bay window sill, highlighted the valuable experience he has gained, while his role as an apprentice leader showed his willingness to take on responsibility and support others.
During the interview and site visit, Noah impressed with his knowledge of building codes, passive house principles, and the technical details of the project. He confidently explained his involvement and demonstrated genuine pride in achieving high-quality outcomes.
In the practical challenge, Noah planned his work well, maintained a tidy workspace and completed a well-presented project with a good overall finish. His technical ability and leadership potential make him an impressive apprentice with plenty of opportunity ahead. Bravo.
