My passion for building began back in high school, where I
discovered a strong interest in woodwork, technical drawing, and applied
mathematics — a perfect mix for someone detail-oriented and analytical.
My cousin worked on construction sites, and I’d often visit
during school holidays or watch houses go up as I walked home. I found it all
fascinating — not just the craft of building, but the thought and design behind
it.
That curiosity led me to begin a carpentry apprenticeship
in 1984. It was a traditional program requiring 8,000 hours of hands-on work
and a series of exams, culminating in the NZ Trades Certificate.
I was fortunate to be trained across a range of projects,
from heavy commercial to timber-framed construction. The company I trained with
had its own Rimu mill, joinery shop, and steel workshop — offering a depth of
experience that’s rare today.
That foundation
shaped my approach to building: practical, precise, and rooted in a love for
craftsmanship
Outside of building, the ocean has always been a big part
of who I am. It started when I was a kid — long summer holidays by the sea with
Mum and Dad, fishing off old wharves and exploring the coastline. Those
memories stuck with me, and by high school I was hooked. I got into diving and
fishing, joined the Canterbury Underwater Club, and I’m still a proud member
decades later.
Now, it’s something I share with my own family. Louisa and
I have two amazing sons, and some of our best days are spent out on the boat,
fishing, fossicking along the beach, or just being by the water. In winter,
we’re often off to the mountains — hiking around Mount Cook and soaking in the
beauty of this country we’re lucky to call home.
That same sense of
connection and appreciation flows into my work. Whether it’s bringing the
character back to a classic villa, shaping a bold architectural home on the
hillside, or building a smart, functional first home — I love helping people
create spaces that reflect who they are. Being part of that journey, and seeing
a family settle into a home they truly love, is still the most rewarding part
of what I do
Building has been part of the Reed family for generations.
After surviving the battlefields of Gallipoli and Verdun in World War I, my
grandfather Gordon Reed returned home and prospered in the building trades —
following in the footsteps of his father and other family members.
Gordon was a Master Plasterer, skilled in both internal and
external plasterwork. In those days, plasterers didn’t just apply the finish —
they prepared everything from scratch, including attaching the timber lathes
and mixing traditional plaster reinforced with horsehair for strength. The work
was intricate and hands-on — even decorative sculpting was part of the trade.
That talent ran deep in the family. My great-grandfather,
Joe Reed, exhibited animal sculptures at the 1906 Christchurch International
Exhibition — a testament to the artistic side of the craft.
Gordon also mastered carpentry, building modern family
homes with the same pride and care. Later in life, he turned his attention to
nursery work. For decades, he supplied Macrocarpa seedlings to farms across the
South Island and the Chatham Islands — many of the shelterbelts still standing
today began in his hands.
This legacy of hard work, practical skill, and quiet pride
in a job well done continues in everything we build today at Paul Reed Homes.
