About us.
Hutch
Ngāti Kahungunu
Hutch has been building since the age of 16, bringing over 27 years of hands-on experience across residential and commercial projects. Raised in Pōrangahau, Hawke’s Bay, he comes from a proud lineage of craftsmen, with his passion shaped by his whānau - particularly his father, a Ngāti Kere Kaumātua and Kaitiaki, and his grandfather, a local builder.
Hutch values delivering quality work on time, combining craftsmanship with smart, efficient problem-solving. Clear communication, honesty and following through on promises are central to how he works.
He’s proud of the strong team and positive culture they’ve built - working hard, sharing a laugh and genuinely enjoying the mahi. “When the team loves what they do, the quality always shows”.
Producing quality work and delivering on time is central to how Hutch works. A self-described perfectionist, he focuses on smart, efficient solutions that meet deadlines without compromising results.
“Whether it be a small resi job or part of a bigger commerical job - our duty of care & commitment to quality will always remain the same. And I like to think our clients enjoy being part of the process and enjoy working with us. For us building that relationship is really important, it’s never a transaction with us. We build like these projects like our own”
Likes: Spending time with whānau, being in the water, getting crays, watching rugby
Dislikes: That’s easy...sitting still
“We’ve built a really solid team and I’m proud of where everyone’s at. What you put in is what you get out, we work hard, share a laugh and genuinely enjoy what we do. I think our clients feel that too and they enjoy being part of it. At the end of the day if you love the mahi, the quality will always show”
Bridgette
Ngāpuhi
As the other half of Hutch Construct, Bridgette works behind the scenes across HR, strategy, business development, finance, and marketing, supporting all operational functions off-site and ensuring the mahi on site is shared authentically. With a background in branding and advertising in New Zealand and London, she brings a creative and strategic lens and a natural talent for storytelling, highlighting the team’s skill, care, and values.
Alongside Hutch Construct, Bridgette is actively involved in her whānau’s long-standing retail and trade paint business, WPC, leading marketing and HR. For her, both businesses are grounded in shared family values, service, and always going the extra mile.
As a Māori-owned business, Hutch Construct keeps its team intentionally small to maintain quality, working with like-minded builders and scaling when needed through a trusted network. At the centre of it all are Bridgette and Hutch’s four tamariki, who inspire the future they are building together - grounded in hard work, resilience, strong relationships, and care for their team and clients. Every project is approached with integrity, dedication, and respect for the trust placed in them.
Likes: Hanging with the kids at the beach, being in the water, smashing out a good early work out, a good playlist and solving a million problems with my friends over a marg/coffee!”
Dislikes: “I think there is a theme running here in our team, I hate sitting still! But also not getting through my to-do list”
“Ultimately the end game is about delivering for the businesses and clients who trust us with their homes and projects. That’s a responsibility we never take lightly. Whether residential or commercial, we understand the privilege of being invited into something important and we approach every project with care, integrity and dedication”.
Meet the team.
We take great pride in our team, who consistently deliver the highest calibre of work for our clients. We believe that quality craftsmanship is only possible with a skilled and dedicated team.
Lewis
Ngāpuhi
Lewis is Hutch’s Leading Hand - a highly respected builder with maturity and skill beyond his years. Starting on the tools at 16, he brings strong hands-on experience across residential, commercial, and high-spec architectural builds.
LBP qualified and driven by quality, Lewis is a key part of the Hutch team. Known for his high standards, leadership, and smart approach to building, he supports apprentices, keeps sites moving, and helps foster a positive team culture.
“Every day on site is different and I like that. You’ve got to problem solve and think outside the box to keep things moving. And being part of starting something, seeing it progress and finishing it - there’s no better feeling really.”
Lewis’ whakapapa on both his mum’s and dad’s side shapes his values, work ethic, and leadership, with his grandad having a lasting influence on the builder he is today.
At Hutch, he values the autonomy, respect, and strong team culture. “I love being part of the Hutch team - there’s banter and laughs, but everyone works hard and respects each other. I also value the trust Hutch gives me to get the job done to a high standard. If issues come up, we talk it through and solve it together - we’ve always got each other’s backs.”
Likes: Hunting, fishing, watching or playing league
Dislikes: Sitting still and bad weather.
Sam
Ngāti Kahungunu
Meet Sam (the other Hutch)
Growing up in Pōrangahau, Hawke’s Bay, Sam shares the same proud lineage of skilled craftsmen as his brother Hutch. Influenced by their father, a respected Ngāti Kere kaumātua and kaitiaki, and their grandfather, who built many local homes, Sam carries values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, hard work, and humility into everything he does.
A former detective in the New Zealand Police, Sam returned to building for the hands-on work, problem-solving, and satisfaction of seeing projects come to life. He brings strong skills, a gift for people, and a focus on relationships, teamwork, and delivering the best outcomes - never cutting corners and always looking ahead on the job.
“One of the best things about working at Hutch is the people. I get to work alongside my brother and a solid crew who have real fire in the belly to get things done and done well. There’s a lot of mutual respect and good banter to keep things always interesting. Teams everything really, when you're building with a good solid team, it doesn’t feel like work.”
Likes: Darts, Rugby
Dislikes: “Sitting still”, I always like to be occupied!
Keena
One of Hutch Construct’s originals, Keena has been with the team from the very beginning. Almost fully qualified, he’s humble, steady, and lets his work speak for itself.
“I was always taught if you’re going to do something, do it properly. Don’t rush it, don’t cut corners. Just do it once and do it well.”
Born into a proud Tongan family, Keena carries values of respect, hard work, and humility into every job. Family is his driving force, and on site he’s known for his quiet focus, dedication, and love of seeing his mahi come to life. Having grown with the team, he values the family-like culture that pushes everyone to give their best.
Likes: Family, a good tune, being outside
Dislikes: Not being busy
Ants
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
A proud Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei descendant, Ants first joined Hutch Construct through the iwi’s Hawaiki Development project, helping build homes by whānau, for whānau.
“Building on our whenua hit different. It’s special knowing what you’re creating will stay with our whānau and the next generation,”
Known for his care and attention to detail, Ants quickly became a valued member of the team and is now a full-time apprentice, learning every day and contributing to Hutch Construct’s culture of skill, mentorship, and whānau values. He aims to become fully qualified and inspire the next generation of Māori builders.
Likes: Whanau, being outside and getting things done around the house, Sundays
Dislikes: Not being busy!
Karley
Karley runs Hutch Construct’s finances, keeping everything on track with precision and ease. Born on a dairy farm in Ōpunake, she brings a practical, hardworking approach, a Bachelor of Commerce from Victoria University, and experience across banking, hospitality, finance, and energy.
Known for her attention to detail and process-driven approach, Karley manages budgets, invoices, and reporting seamlessly, ensuring projects run smoothly and clients have full transparency. Outside work, she’s a busy mum of two and wife to a super-active family, balancing life with the same skill she brings to the numbers.
“I love working with Hutch and Bridgette. I really value the strong working relationship we've built. I'm a perfectionist, but also easy going, which I think is the right balance when it comes to supporting their business.
Loves: Reading, travelling and a fitness challenge
Dislikes: Inactivity and cold water