Queenstown district going hammer and tongs in construction 

The ongoing boom in one of New Zealand’s most growing districts has drawn tradies to pack their toolbelts and head to our tourism Mecca.

Almost everywhere you look in the Queenstown Lakes District, there is a house going up.

With construction in some regions quieter lately, some are taking the opportunity to have their cake and eat it too.

Master Builders president Nathan Simon said there had been “a lot of inquiry” coming through.

Queenstown Lakes District Council estimates more than 6000 houses have been consented over the past five years, with many of them yet to be built.

For experienced builder Benji Andrews, moving from Auckland to Queenstown was an attractive proposition.

"Lifestyle was our number one factor because that’s what brings happiness. Then the industry down here is booming, especially the high-end market which I specialised in."

Andrews and his family made the move five months ago, and took it as an opportunity for a different work-life balance.

"We took it as a bonus… if the market wasn’t here it wouldn’t have been as much of an option to come down.”

Many tradies have swapped the hustle and bustle for a more steady pace, and regular work.

“I’ve been getting one of those calls twice weekly from people coming,” said Simon. “I look at my crew, I’m running seven odd guys that sort of work direct from me and none of them are from Wanaka."

The region was also attracting tradies starting out, as the region had 30% more apprentices than the national average.

Max Petty, a 19-year-old apprentice, dropped everything in Wellington to make the move.

"I’ve, you know, found a flat, found a job, everything was booked, just kind of two months to get down here."

Petty said he "could imagine" it taking about four months to find a job back in Wellington.

Meanwhile, Simon said he has heard regions such as Nelson-Marlborough, the Far North, and the main centres Wellington and Auckland have been "hurt" by downturns in recent times.

“But then in-between that, Manawatu’s [the] really strong one.”

The growth in Queenstown Lakes wass projected to remain strong or the next few years, meaning even more builders could be looking to make the move.