Regionals: Where the Challenge Begins

The Regional Heats are the first stage of the NZCB Apprentice Challenge, delivered in partnership with BCITO and Mitre 10 Trade. This is where the competition really gets underway.

  • Date: Saturday 18 April 2026
  • Where: Locations across the country, see table below
  • Time: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm

What happens on the day?

Apprentices from around New Zealand will compete head-to-head, all on the same day to build the same project and will be given 8 hours to complete. This year the project is a Pātaka, a community sharing cupboard.

Build plans and tool lists will be sent to entrants ahead of the event, giving them time to prepare. On the day, it’s all about skill, precision, and working under pressure.

At the end of the 8-hour build, judges will assess each project to determine who advances to the National Final which will take place on 5 and 6 June at the NZCB Conference & Expo.

Regional heat 2026 locations

 

Auckland Mitre 10 MEGA Westgate, 95A Northside Drive
Canterbury Mitre 10 MEGA Ferrymead, 1005 Ferry Road
Central Otago Mitre 10 MEGA, Wānaka, 100 Sir Tim Wallis Drive
Gisborne Mitre 10 Gisborne, 24 Derby Street
Hawkes Bay Mitre 10 Trade Centre, 46 Whakatu Road, Whakatu
Manawatū  Mitre 10 Distribution Centre, 65 Waldegrave Street, Palmerston North
Mid and South Canterbury Mitre 10 Distribution Centre, 14 McNelly Street, Ashburton
Nelson Bays and West Coast Mitre 10 MEGA Nelson, 99 Quarantine Road
Otago Otago Polytechnic, 20 Parry Street West, at the back of L Block on Anzac Avenue
Rotorua and Taupō Mitre 10 Distribution Centre, 74 White Street, Rotorua
Taranaki Mitre 10 MEGA, 5 Vickers Road, New Plymouth
Waikato/Coromandel Mitre 10 MEGA Te Rapa, Maahanga Drive
Wellington Mitre 10 Distribution Centre, 21 Peterkin Street, Lower Hutt
Whangārei and Bay of Islands Mitre 10 MEGA Whangārei, 46 Porowini Ave

Come and watch the action

The regional heats are open to the public, so we welcome you to come along and show your support.

Bring your whānau, your workmates, and your team to cheer on the next generation of construction talent. It’s a full day of action, skill, and community spirit.

Apprentices will have from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm to pull their project together, with prizegiving taking place from 5:00 pm and the event wrapping up at 5:30 pm.

Thank you to our sponsors

Most Regional Heats will be hosted at Mitre 10 stores or distribution centres around the country. A huge thank you to Mitre 10 Trade for sponsoring and supporting the 2026 NZCB Apprentice Challenge.

The BCITO team will also be onsite with a fun, hands-on activity for attendees to get involved in, there’s something for everyone.