My name is Te Wehi Anderson, Managing Director of Anderson Build Company based in Waiheke
Island. I have been in the building industry since 2004 and still loving every moment.
Originally from Taranaki/Whanganui region growing up was tough. They say you are a product of
your environment, which I say is not true. For me you are a product of the choices you make. As a
kid growing up, we didn’t have much, but in those days we didn’t need much at all. Riding around
the neighbourhood on our hand me down bikes to see if our mates were home, doing the lawns just
so we can go and buy a $1 mixture of lollies, borrowing the uncles old surfboard to go surfing down
the local breaks, days on end down the skatepark pretending we were Tony Hawk, there were no
complaints.
Holidays for me was not much of a holiday as we had plenty of family members who had work for us
to do. It was either on the farm milking with one family, at the fish and chip shop with another or
out on the family farm pruning, fencing and maintaining the stock. At least at the end of the day we
still had time to hit the surf.
My high school years were spent at an all-boys Catholic Maori Boarding School based in Fielding,
Hato Paora College. Although I had left the school at the ripe age of 16, I didn’t leave without
achieving merit in Level 2 NCEA. My parents were surprised.
In 2004 I signed up to a pre trade course Ag Challenge. I was always in to building so I thought id give
it a go. Whilst on the course they had signed us up to BCITO and after 3 months of being on the
course I was picked up by a local company Ray Tyson Builders.
My first 2 years’ experience with Ray was awesome. An old builder who knew a lot about everything.
He focused more on the heritage builds/renovations down Whanganui which exposed me to how
the old timers had done things. Victorian styled trims, handmade panels for flooring, rimu custom
jambs for stained glass, stair hand rails the list goes on. It made me appreciate the skills they had to
produce such beautiful buildings with the limited tools at hand, yet I was thankful I was coming
through at a different time.
As part of my apprenticeship with BCITO we were required to be competent in every aspect of
construction, and with Ray I was not doing enough to do so. So in the following 5 years I went from
commercial to Residential housing companies to complete my course. I landed in Taupo with a
company building G.J Gardiner homes in a new sub division where I was given the opportunity to be
the lead builder to get signed off. After the second house that I was in charge of, I had received my
ticket. My boss at the time made a comment that sticks with me to this day, “Now you start learning,
don’t think you know it all because you never will”. Which couldn’t be too right.
In 2014 I decided to make the move up to Waiheke Island. To be quite honest I was bored of building
generic homes for G.J Gardiner. I wanted a challenge. I had landed a junior project management
position for an Auckland Company called Auckland Building Group. Thrown right in the deep end I
was put in as lead builder for the iconic Palm Beach Resort Refurbishment then the new Commercial
Kitchen at Mudbrick Winery. Both these projects taught me a lot about the other side of
construction. Clients, council, designers and management.
After 2 years with ABG I had the opportunity to jump onboard one of the most prestigious building
company on Island, Whelan Builders.
Whelan have a reputation for constructing high end residential builds here on Waiheke. Builds that
only some could dream about. I was in my element. Most of the houses I was involved in were just
amazing. The designs of some, detailing and materials used were just on another level. I loved every
bit of it.
I thought I was set, I did say to Geoff Whelan I would be happy to stay for the rest of my days as the
jobs he had were exciting. Whilst with Whelan I did do my own jobs at night and in weekend just to
get extra money, then a full build fell on my lap. After discussing it with Geoff, I decided to head out
on my own.
Lo and behold Anderson Build was Born.
Vicki and I have been together since high school. We met each other at a local party and have partied together ever since. She has been by my side through the bad and good and could not be more grateful. Starting a family young hasn’t been the easiest, but wouldn’t change it for the world.
We have 3 children, Cadence who is our eldest (17). With this being her last year at high school, has a goal to study in Dunedin to be a Dentist. She is currently working at the service station and has been for the past 2 years. She is a very independent person who loves having the city just a half hour away.
Tyrone (13) is our only boy. At the moment he is a typical teenager who loves hanging out with his mates, plays video games and works with dad during the holidays. Tyrone has just picked up a job down the local watering hole Charlie Farlies doing dishes and loving it.
Koria (7) our youngest. She is all go this one. Loves the beach life. Always on our case to go to the beach for a swim rain, hail or shine. Koria thrives at school which she obviously gets from me. And loves to do whatever mum and dad are doing. Every time I go diving there’s no doubt she wants to tag along
We work with homeowners and homeowners to-be from concept to completion.
Ultimately, we’re your partner in creating your dream lifestyle in a true paradise.
Bringing the attention-to-detail needed for high-end builds
Looking after the island & managing its effects on your home
Using the best materials to produce the highest quality product
Kia ora I’m 37 years old with 15 years experience. New Zealand born Maori from Tauranga. My interests include fishing, outdoor activities and hanging out with my 2 beautiful daughters. In the near future I want run my own building company and build my own dream home.
Hey, I’m 18 years old, Waiheke born and bread and fresh out of Waiheke High School. I have been an apprentices with Anderson Build for 2 years.
My interests include rugby, all kinds of sports, enjoy the outdoors and spending time with whanau.
I want to be a qualified builder and run my own job site. Eventually I want to build my own whanau house.
Hi, my mates call me Danny, I’m 30 years old from Manchester, England and have been a builder for 15 years, 6 years in New Zealand. I am interested in Rugby League, the gym, watching sports and socialising. My future goals are to own a couple of properties and live abroad permanently.
Kia ora, I’m Vicki, Te When’s partner in crime, I am 35 from Whanganui. We have 3 tamariki who are the reasons why we have decided to start our own business. I have stepped up to manage the business in the office. My interests include, spending quality time with whanau, swimming, time on the beach and time with close friends. In the future I want to employ an office manager so I can do other things.
Ciao, Gino here I’m 24 years old, from Essex, London, England. I have been in the building trade for 8 years and 5 of those years in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
My interest are soccer, football, the gym, watching MMA / Boxing and travelling. I love hanging on the beaches of Waiheke. In the future I want to own my own business.
Talofa, my name is Javan but friends call me J-Mak. I’ve been building and labouring for 4 years between Waiheke and Auckland, but there’s no place to work like on the island! My interests involve hanging with friends and family, church and working out. In the future I plan to fine tune my skills to the fullest and get into property development.