New Zealand's best flooring apprentices were recognised at the annual Flooring Industry Apprentice Awards on Thursday, 7 May in Auckland, shining a light on the exceptional talent driving our industry forward.

The event, held by the Building Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) in conjunction with Floor NZ, celebrates apprentices who are excelling in the flooring trade. Award winners were selected based on the achievement and skills they displayed at their respective block courses.

The awards are a wonderful opportunity for our top performing flooring apprentices to be celebrated by their peers. They demonstrate the exceptional talent and passion we have within the flooring industry and highlight the importance of training and apprenticeships.

Jason Hungerford, BCITO Chief Executive Officer

Award winners were selected based on the achievement and skills they displayed at their respective block courses. The highest-achieving flooring apprentices of 2025 are:

2025 Flooring Apprentice of the Year – Stage 1
Winner: Ryder Brown
BCITO Training Advisor: Alistair Martin
Employer: Spencer Flooring Ltd

2025 Flooring Apprentice of the Year – Stage 2
Winner: Christian McNabney
BCITO Training Advisor: Alistair Martin
Employer: Spencer Flooring Ltd

Hayden Mckenzie Memorial 2025 Flooring Apprentice of the Year – Stage 3
Winner: Scott Hines
BCITO Training Advisor: Evan Agnew
Employer: Flooring Xtra Wellington

Villars 2025 Most Improved Flooring Apprentice
Winner: Jack Smith
BCITO Training Advisor: Shanish Datt
Employer: Custom Hardwood Flooring Ltd

2025 Flooring Planning & Design Trainee of the Year
Winner: Kathryn Johnston
BCITO Training Advisor: Brendon Bell
Employer: Flooring Xtra Te Awamutu

2025 Scott Cato Supreme Flooring Apprentice of the Year
Winner: Scott Hines
BCITO Training Advisor: Evan Agnew
Employer: Flooring Xtra Wellington

2025 Wayne Young Employers Award
Winner: Spencer Flooring Ltd
BCITO Training Advisor: Alistair Martin

Our ongoing partnership with BCITO is all about celebrating the flooring industry and the people who make it exceptional. This event is a chance to honour our winners, their skill, commitment and contribution to the future of our craft.

Jeff Henry, Floor NZ Chief Executive

The awards ceremony would not have been possible without the following sponsors:
BCITO, Carr Group, Dunlop Flooring, FloorNZ, Floorscape, Quick-Step, Gilt Edge Industries, Jacobsen, Look Floors, Sleepyhead Flooring, Trade Floor Supplies, Belgotex NZ, Flooring Xtra, Harrisons Carpet & Flooring, and Measure Up.

Congratulations to all the award finalists and winners.