About
Est. 2023, family-owned
15+ years experience
Bay of Plenty, NZ
Will, Kate, Wilder
The story
In Will’s words
I grew up around construction. My grandad was a builder and actually built our family home, so from a young age I was always hanging around job sites trying to get involved. Looking back, I was probably more in the way than helping, but I loved watching things come together and seeing what could be created from the ground up. Construction always felt familiar to me. It was part of family life.
Later on, my younger brother started his own building company and honestly, I was a little jealous watching him build something for himself. That was probably the moment I realised I wanted the same path. I signed up for my apprenticeship and got stuck in early.
I didn’t start in the perfect environment. In fact, I probably started in the wrong company. I didn’t really have someone I could lean on or ask endless questions to, so I had to become very self-taught. At the time it was frustrating, but looking back, it forced me to become a problem solver early in my career.
I learnt quickly because I had to.
By my second year, I was already leading a small crew. I then made the decision to move into a high-end building company because I wanted to challenge myself and learn from builders operating at a much higher level. That move completely changed my standards.
For the first time, I was surrounded by highly skilled builders with years of experience behind them. They fine-tuned my skills, taught me the importance of precision, and showed me what separates a good build from a truly exceptional one. By the third year of my apprenticeship, I was trusted to run my first high-end project.
I went on to complete my qualification through BCITO, gained my LBP licence, and eventually ran seven projects for the company. The final project went on to win Gold at the House of the Year awards, which was a proud achievement and something that really reinforced the level I wanted to build at. Today, that same attention to detail carries through every Oceanside Builds project.
What I love most about this industry is the people side of it.
I genuinely enjoy working closely with clients and tailoring each project to suit the way they live. No two families are the same, so I don’t believe every build should feel the same either. There’s nothing better than seeing clients walk through their project as it starts coming together, then handing over the finished home at the end. That reaction never gets old.
I also love bringing ideas to the table. I’m always looking for ways to improve a project, whether that’s visually, practically, or finding smarter and more cost-effective solutions clients may not have thought about.
One project I’m especially proud of was a recent barn conversion overlooking the hills and ocean. We transformed an American-style barn into a quirky high-end four-bedroom home that allowed us to get really creative with the design. It became one of those projects where every detail had personality, and it perfectly reflected the type of work we love doing at Oceanside Builds.
Outside of work, life is pretty simple. I’ve been with my partner Kate since high school and we now have an energetic three-year-old who keeps us busy. We spend most weekends outdoors enjoying everything Papamoa has to offer. Surfing, mountain biking, rugby, beach days. We’re lucky to live where we do, and that lifestyle is a big part of who we are.
At Oceanside Builds, we bring that same grounded approach into every project. Good communication, high standards, creative thinking, and homes that genuinely feel personal to the people living in them.
Values
Honesty
Honesty builds trust long before the home is finished. That means being upfront with clients, communicating clearly, owning mistakes quickly, and having honest conversations even when they’re uncomfortable. We expect the same from our team: people who genuinely care about doing the right thing and putting in their best effort every day.
Pride
We treat every project like it’s our own home. Shortcuts, rushed work and “that’ll do” attitudes don’t belong at Oceanside Builds. We hold ourselves to a high standard because clients live with the finished result long after we leave the site. The small details matter, and we take pride in getting them right.
Communication
Building shouldn’t leave you guessing. We keep communication open from start to finish, so you always know what’s happening, what decisions need to be made, and where the project is sitting. No disappearing acts. No surprises halfway through the build.
Effort
Effort is non-negotiable in our company. Everyone on site genuinely cares about the outcome of the project and brings their best every day. Clients can feel the difference between builders who are just trying to get paid and builders who actually care about the final result. That extra effort shows up in every stage of the build.
A fixed crew
The same small team runs the job from design development through to completion, with one point of contact the whole way.
Weekly walkthroughs
A tidy site and a walkthrough every week, with photos every Friday if you’re out of town.
Finished like it’s ours
Handover with nothing left on the list, and we’re ten minutes away if you ever need us after.
The team
We intentionally keep our team small and selective. It lets us stay hands-on, maintain a high level of quality control, and give every project the attention it deserves. You’re not passed between departments or left wondering who’s managing your build. The same trusted team stays involved from start to finish.
We’ve never had a staff member leave the company. That says a lot about the culture we’ve built. We genuinely enjoy working together, support each other outside of work, and hold each other accountable on site every day. That culture translates directly into the experience clients have during a project.
Will
Director
Will completed his apprenticeship through BCITO, gained his LBP licence, and ran seven high-end projects, two of which won Gold at the House of the Year awards, before founding Oceanside Builds. He’s always looking for ways to improve a project, whether that’s visually, practically, or finding smarter solutions clients may not have thought about.
Kate
Operations Manager
As our Operations Manager, Kate is the foundational force that keeps our construction company running smoothly. Having helped build the business from the ground up, she brings a unique perspective to the team rooted in her Master’s degree in Teaching. While our crews are busy building on-site, Kate is constantly building on the back end, managing our day-to-day administration while relentlessly developing and refining the internal systems that keep our foundation rock solid.
Reuben
Foreman
Reuben brings nearly 20 years of high-end building experience to Oceanside Builds and plays a huge role in maintaining the standard we expect on site. He’s calm under pressure, highly experienced, and someone the whole team leans on. Clients quickly notice the confidence and organisation he brings to a project.
Bucky
Qualified Builder
Bucky comes from a design background, which gives him a different perspective on site. He’s constantly thinking about how things can be improved, both visually and practically, and never settles for “good enough”. That creative eye is especially valuable during finishing stages and detail work, where small decisions make a big difference.
Ross
Apprentice
One of the fastest-learning and hardest-working apprentices we’ve worked with. Ross is currently competing in Apprentice of the Year, already placing in the Top 10 across the region. Clients notice his work ethic immediately, and he brings great energy to the team.
Charlie
Apprentice
Charlie is a local rugby boy with a great attitude and strong work ethic. The same effort and discipline he brings to the field shows up on site every day. As a second-year apprentice, he’s soaking up knowledge from the experienced builders around him and improving constantly.
Preferred partners
We work with a close circle of trusted subcontractors, suppliers and designers who have been part of our journey for years. From earthworks through to roofing, we intentionally keep the same reliable people around every project, because consistency matters. Many of them have worked side by side with us for over seven years, building relationships based on trust, communication and shared standards.
Every contractor on an Oceanside Builds project understands the level we expect. Because our teams know each other so well, everyone can focus on doing their job properly, without unnecessary hold-ups or confusion.
We don’t choose subcontractors based on who’s cheapest this week. We choose people we trust in clients’ homes. People who care about the finished result as much as we do. Over time, these long-standing relationships have become one of the biggest strengths of Oceanside Builds.
What that means for your project
Better organisation onsite
Smoother communication between trades
Fewer delays
Stronger workmanship
A more enjoyable experience for you