There's a stark difference between building homes and bachs in Mangawhai Heads and mud-brick homes for the poor in Third World countries.
But that doesn't seem to bother Mangawhai builder Glenn Kehoe who today boards a plane to Cambodia where for two weeks he will build houses from air-dryed earth.
It's a Habitat for Humanity project, and he's recruited two other Mangawhaians for the trip, educator Natalie Alispahic and landscaper Rhonda West.
The three form part of a Kiwi team of 15 heading to Battambong, north-west Cambodia, where they will build four mudbrick houses and one mudbrick community house.
Habitat for Humanity is a not-for-profit organisation that works in partnership with needy communities to build sustainable housing.
The chance to give back to needy people, experience a new culture and holiday in an exotic location are just some of the benefits from working overseas with Habitat for Humanity, Mr Kehoe said. "We just get a real buzz helping out Third World communities."
Recipients of the houses are selected on a needs basis by the local Habitat for Humanity branch, he said.
"And they will be engaging in the build," he said. "These are people living below the poverty line, so on less than one US dollar a day."
He has been on several trips with the organisation before - to Nepal, Cambodia in 2011, and tsunami-ravaged Samoa in 2011 - helping house impoverished locals.
"These are such humble people and they're so grateful," he said.
He became interested in helping in developing countries when he travelled through Africa in his 20s and 30s.
Now in his 50s with two grown children, Mr Kehoe jumped at the chance to get involved with Habitat for Humanity, which he says offers great experiences and friendship.
"You're meeting a lot of like-minded people, and we have a huge amount of fun," he said.
The cost of the Cambodia trip for the volunteers was $4800, which included a donation to help the Cambodian Government with the land purchase for the houses.
Recipients of houses would have a mortgage of US$20 per month to Habitat for Humanity, to encourage the idea of ownership and sustainability, Mr Kehoe said.