Meet Andrew Loe

Andrew’s ingenuity earned him cash and prizes to the value of around $2000 after the exhibits were judged at the Furniture Fashion 2005 Show at the Auckland Expo Centre.

Competitors were asked to design a piece of furniture with a Kiwi flavour that would fit into a 600 mm cube.

Andrew’s entry incorporated many Kiwi icons – a surfboard, deck chair, native timbers, paua and a koru.

The Top Furniture Apprentice Awards were divided into three categories; solid wood, veneer and soft furnishing.

Andrew won the solid wood category and was judged the overall winner of the competition as well.

He drew on experience gained while completing a National Certificate in Furniture Making at Molloy Furniture in Henderson, West Auckland.

“I surf at Piha and wanted to design a beach chair, so came up with a collapsible surfboard made out of rimu and rewarewa,” says Andrew, who lives in Oratia.

He got the timber two weeks before the competition and worked on it every night after work, including weekends.

“I wanted to give it my best shot, to make something to be proud of at the end of my apprenticeship,” he says.

“I’ve never worked so hard in all my life, but it all paid off.”

Andrew is modest about his achievements, saying he was shocked and thrilled to take out the top prize.

And the $1000 cash prize? Andrew says he’ll put it towards a holiday.