³You are starting up at the right time, and should have a very good future² was the message Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Maurice Williamson, had for the new Stonewood Homes West Auckland franchise.

Opening their new Design Centre at 34 Walls Road, Penrose on May 6th, he reflected on the changes in the building industry. In the past, a man, a dog and a ute was all that was needed, but with the new Builders Licensing the industry is being tidied up, and organisations like Stonewood Homes are leading the way.

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Mr Williamson mentioned that he is familiar with Stonewood Homes in Christchurch, and the exceptional job that they are doing down there. (As a long-standing Christchurch-based homebuilder, Stonewood is expected to play a key role in rebuilding Christchurch homes post quake.) Stonewood Homes West Auckland owner, Andy Gray, also took time to acknowledge the Canterbury earthquake, and wish its residents all the very best.

Mr Gray went on to reflect on the current turbulence within the building industry and his belief that this very difficult period is nearly over. He had received figures from the Auckland City Council which indicated Auckland will grow by 640,000 people over the next 30 years. ³From a building point of view that equates to an average 11,000 houses required per year ¬ current annual figures sit at around 5,000,² he explained. ³May I suggest we are in the right place at the right time - on the surf board waiting for the tidal wave!²

Christchurch-based Stonewood Homes is New Zealand¹s fastest growing home building company, and already have two other Auckland franchises, East Auckland and Northern.

Stonewood Homes¹ owner and Managing Director, Mr Brent Mettrick, is a leading figure in the New Zealand construction industry, with positions including Immediate Past President of the New Zealand Master Builders Federation, Founding Director of Green Building Council, and Member of the Government Construction Centre Productivity Working Group. Stonewood is also the only NZ company to sponsor and be involved in the creation of the Homestar Home Energy Rating System.

Mr Mettrick sees the West Auckland opening as an important step in the company¹s development. ³Stonewood Homes is already well recognised in other parts of the country. But as Auckland is by far the biggest home building area, we see it as a very important part of our business,² he explains. ³So we are very pleased to be able to welcome the West Auckland franchise.²

ENDS

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