This year we are celebrating 30 Years of House of the Year! Over the next few months we are going to be shining a light on some of the people who have played a massive part in the competition. Keep an eye out on our channels as our members share some of their best memories as a builder.

Metzger Builders Ltd - 2018

"I started out as a PE teacher before becoming a builder two and a half years later. I built my first home on a steep hill in Dunedin while in my first year of teaching – I was only 21 years old. How I managed to teach and build my home at the same time I will never know. Either way it’s still standing 30 years later. Building that home was definitely what I needed to make me realise building was my passion.

Two years after I quit teaching to become a builder I started working for myself. Being a builder gives me great satisfaction, it’s such a practical career and just a great skill to have. Now I get to train other apprentices and pass on my knowledge. There is some amazing young talent out there and it’s great to see them learn, move up the ranks and become foreman for our company.

We've been entering House of the Year almost every year since 2001. Our team has done extremely well, especially at a national level, where we have won 11 titles, plus a Platinum, Regional Supreme and Craftsmanship award in 2015 The highlight was definitely winning the National Supreme Award in 2018. But every time you win a gold, category, regional or national title, it always feels like the first time.

Now I've come full circle and am a judge for the competition for the second year. Being asked to judge was a great honour for me. Judging your peers is an absolute privilege and I love it. It’s also great to be able to give something back into the competition that I have been a part of since 2001. It doesn't mean our time is over being a competitor as we can still enter if I step back from judging for that year, so watch this space" - Mark Anthony Metzger, Metzger Builders Ltd