Building sector celebrates Orders of Merit

Graham Coe, the man who offered Auckland homeowners the first Master Build Guarantee, has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the construction industry.

Registered Master Builders Federation (RMBF) CEO Warwick Quinn says Mr Coe is the industry’s single most worthy recipient of the honour after an illustrious half century career.

“Graham’s life’s work has contributed significantly to New Zealand as a nation, through his dedication to the betterment of the industry,” said Mr Quinn. “His leadership within Master Builders and BRANZ has led to a sector-wide improvement in the standards required and quality delivered by builders to New Zealanders.”

Mr Coe, who joined the Auckland Master Builders Association (AMBA) in 1972, was made chairman of the NZMBF marketing committee in 1993, became President in 2001 and was made a life member in 2004.

Mr Coe was also instrumental in developing the RMBF House of the Year programme in 1990 and was chairman of the national judging panel between 2001 and 2012.

His construction company, Coe and Lewer Builders, has contributed to the construction of hundreds of homes, schools, churches, factories, offices and the Waiuku Civic Centre.

He has also been involved in research to improve building weather tightness and resistance to earthquakes through his work with Building and Research New Zealand (BRANZ).