None. This is the first competition we have entered.

I found that quality, craftsmanship and innovation was lacking in the industry. I believe that the perfect building methods and systems are yet to be discovered and we will help to find it.

I literally started chasing my vision alone, without help, funding, aids, loans or grants. Every ounce of profit I made went back into Greenaways to purchase a tool or that thing that would get me to the next stage. Those stages included challenges like navigating covid-19 as a very young company living week to week with limited finances, then came the material supply issues follow by massive building price hikes – not to mention the massive workforce shortage. 6 months later and we 180 with a massive slow down as the residential construction sector faces high interest rates causing the residential building market to slow significantly. Throughout this turmoil, I managed to purchase a joinery shop and get it up and running. Attend, upskill and adapt our teams building practices to suit a more passive building approach as well as grown our team. Build 4 “uncertified” passive houses meeting the passive standard.

Covid-19.

Often, building contracts for new builds are fixed priced contracts, meaning the price should vary too much if any. During covid -19, there were so many delays from sub-contractors or material suppliers that builds were start-stop. Building timelines were completely blown out and this was truly unavoidable. Adding to that, materials I would have priced 6 months earlier had gone up in price by as much as 15%. Because it was a fixed price contract, I had to absorb price hikes from materials as well as the extra labour required from building delays. Some of our builds had a 12 month time frame without the delays meaning I was covering up to 18 moths worth of price rises. I am surprised and a little impressed by our resilience during this period.

I have found that perseverance is not optional when it comes to running a successful business. Nor is overcoming adversity if you want to do well. It is at times unbelievable how you might be having the best day in months, then suddenly all hell breaks loose. I found that through personal growth, understanding, reflection and acceptance, my capacity to absorb or withstand adversity grew immensely.

For me its personal, but its growing my business starting with me alone, to purchasing 9 vehicles, a yard, a joinery business, 12 employees, and now starting to build Papakainga and transportable homes.

That our employees really enjoy their work environment, their work mates and are fulfilled and find value and purpose in their work, and that our clients can recognise it.