Pharaoh Construction Ltd - Waiwhetu

JEFF TUCKER

I grew up in Wainuiomata and attended all my schooling there. From a very young age I was encouraged by my parents to play sport. Having achieved Wellington representative status at age grade rugby for Wellington Under 16, Under 18’s and also athletics high jump. I was also successful in softball.

Apart from helping my dad on his projects at home when I was growing up, my first experience in construction was with one of my neighbours a local builder Bruce Littlejohn. Nailing down T&G Rimu/Matai flooring at the age of 13. After I finished College education, my mother encouraged my siblings and I to do an apprenticeship “something to always fall back on” she would say. I took up an apprenticeship with the local joinery factory Langdon Crown Joinery and completed my apprenticeship 4 years later.

My wife Diana and I bought our first home in Wainuiomata. When our boys were young they too were encouraged to play sport. We registered our sons to play junior rugby at the local club and I also helped out coaching. I then got more involved and worked alongside other parents behind the scenes with the Junior Rugby Club and coaching of the Hutt Valley and Wellington representative teams. Diana and I also supported our sons swimming, from learning to swim to competitive swimming, waking up at 5am to travel to Naenae Pool for trainings.

I started labour only building houses/alteration works for several building companies in the Wellington area most of this work being in Karori, Roseneath, Wadestown, Khandallah and Seatoun area. Becoming Site Foreman for Bullock Builders.

Five years later I formed my own construction business which my son Nathan decided to be a builder and did his apprenticeship alongside me. After Nathan had completed his apprenticeship, and worked with me for some time, Diana and I moved to Australia to work where I was employed by a large building company in Brisbane. While in Brisbane I worked on high end renovations under $5 million. Some of this work required some serious problem solving and ‘thinking outside the box’ solutions. Upon my return Nathan and I became co-owners of Pharaoh Construction.

Pharaoh Construction has grown to a smart successful business offering what I want, building nice things. I like to stand back at the end of the day knowing I was part of making something special for others to enjoy.