A Mangonui apprentice builder will take on the cream of apprentices in New Zealand after being named Northern Region Registered Master Builders Carters 2014 Apprentice of the Year.
Kyran Vaniperen, employed by Coastal Homes in Coopers Beach and trained through the BCITO, took out the award in Auckland on Thursday after impressing the judges.
Mr Vaniperen, 25 and in the third year of his apprenticeship, will now compete against the winners from eight other regions at the national finals in Auckland in October.
He was overjoyed with the win, saying he had to be talked into the competition by his workmates and was probably the last to enter. It was a coup for his company and gave him a boost heading into the final.
"I didn't expect to win and the boys pushed me in to entering, but it was awesome to win it and I'm looking forward to the final now. It's amazing to bring the trophy to Northland and (the win) gives me a lot of confidence," Mr Vaniperen said.