Papamoa carpentry apprentice Luke MacGibbon is the Bay of Plenty Region's Registered Master Builders Carters 2009 Apprentice of the Year.

Luke, 21, will now compete against top apprentices from around the country at the national Apprentice of the Year finals in Wellington in October.
Luke is completing his carpentry apprenticeship through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and is employed by Edinbridge Resources.
The BCITO representative on the judging panel, Brendon Honey, said selecting a winner was a difficult task, as all entrants in the region were of a high calibre.
However, Brendon says Luke's level of knowledge and hands-on ability made him a deserving winner.
'Luke has devoted himself to soaking up the knowledge he's been exposed to, and has developed an in-depth understanding of the formalities involved in running a substantial building project,” Brendon says.
The judges also said coming from a family that is passionate about building, Luke shows real zest for the trade, and they that they wish him all the best for a successful future in the building industry.
Stuart Munro, chief executive of principal sponsor Carters, is delighted with the continued success of the Apprentice of the Year competition, now in its seventh year.
'The increased number and standard of entries this year is a reflection of the industry's goal of raising the standard of building in New Zealand and the reward and recognition that comes with that,” says Mr Munro.
Second and third place in the regional competition were awarded to Wesley Dodds, 21, of Ohope, and Hayden Green, 22, of Whakatane.
Luke received an Outward Bound leadership course worth $2600 and a study grant of $2000, or a Carters voucher for a substantial purchase of up to $1500, for winning the regional competition.