Why enter?

Aside from amazing prizes, taking part in the Apprentice Challenge can help you take your carpentry career to new heights. It’s an invaluable opportunity to meet other apprentices, industry leaders and build your network. It is also a chance to have an impact on your local community. This is more than a build; it’s about giving back.

Key dates

  • Entries open: 27 January 2026
  • Entries close: 16 March 2026
  • Regional build: 18 April 2026
  • National final: 5-6 June 2026

Keep an eye out on the NZCB social media pages and website for more information about the 2026 competition.

Overview of the competition

The Apprentice Challenge tests carpentry, leadership, client relationship and community engagement skills.

Here’s an overview of what entrants can expect when they take part in the Apprentice Challenge:

  • Design concept
    The design concept is revealed when entries open. This is to give you an idea of what you will be building at the regional heat so you can reach out to your community to find a recipient. This year the project was a modern, durable outdoor vege planter.
  • Community engagement
    Entrants sought out a deserving recipient in their community to donate their finished project to and documented the process.
  • Build plans
    Entrants are sent the detailed build plans one week before the regional heat.
  • Regional heats
    Entrants compete head-to-head across the country on the same day and build their project. They are given an 8-hour window to complete the build and judging determines who makes it through to the national final.
  • National final
    Finalists will present their project and portfolio, highlighting their progress as an apprentice and the deserving recipient of their build. They will also complete a scenario-based and practical skills test to assess their technical ability and problem-solving.
2026 entry guide

2026 Prizes

All entrants receive a goodie bag and prizes are awarded to regional placegetters. Finalists at the national competition will be in to win prizes for first, second and third place as well as the coveted Chairperson’s Personality Award.

Thank you to our sponsors, who make awarding these prizes possible.

Regional prizes:

  • Goodie bags for all entrants, thanks to Mitre 10 Trade
  • First place, $1,000 prize package, thanks to Makita
  • Second place, $500 prize package, thanks to Makita
  • Third place, $300 prize package, thanks to Makita

National prizes:

  • First place, $10,000 prize package, thanks to Mitre 10 Trade
  • Second place, $7,000 prize package, thanks to Mitre 10 Trade
  • Third place, $5,000 prize package, thanks to GIB
  • Chairman’s Personality Award, $3,000 prize package, thanks to Paslode
  • Goodie bags for all finalists, thanks to Sika

Build your network

“With all the support from the other competitors it was like talking to a large group of mates. After the hard work was over, we spent the rest of the afternoon getting to know each other better and preparing for the winner to be announced. It was clear that, although we had only just met a couple of days prior, there was unconditional care and support for each other.”

Alex Erickson, NZCB Apprentice Challenge National Winner 2023

Architectural Designers NZ (ADNZ) Design Competition

We are proud to collaborate with Architectural Designers New Zealand (ADNZ) to develop the plans for the regional heats build.

This partnership connects design and construction, encouraging ADNZ students to blend creative vision with practical craftsmanship. It’s an opportunity for emerging designers to showcase their talent, see their ideas built at scale, and contribute to meaningful community projects.

ADNZ students are invited to submit concept designs based on a detailed brief provided by NZCB. The top design will be built by apprentices across the country and donated to local communities, turning inspired concepts into projects with purpose.

In 2025, Jillian Wilson’s winning planter box design became the blueprint for the Apprentice Challenge.

For 2026, ADNZ students were tasked with designing a Pātaka Pukapuka / community sharing cupboard that can be used for books, toys, food, or any other local need.

We’re excited to announce that Matt Brown has been selected as the ADNZ student designer for the 2026 NZCB Apprentice Challenge.

Matt is studying towards a Bachelor of Architectural Studies. His Pātaka design will be built by apprentices at regional heats and gifted to communities across New Zealand.

ADNZ student Matt Brown. Photo supplied by Matt.