About Us

Frontline Builders is a family owned and operated company born out of Wade's passion and desire to ensure people's dreams, no matter how big or how small, are fulfilled.  Wade Smith and Nicola Ekdahl are the directors of this construction business that acts with integrity, communicates clearly and effectively, encourages creativity and innovation and finally, ensures pride exudes from every facet of the business. 

While Nicola oversees the family’s 114ha dry stock property and a family household that includes four children, her policy analysis background gives her the skills and aspiration to run a meticulously efficient building company.

And what did Wade dream of becoming when he was a little boy ...?

A builder!

... and even now, Wade still has the same sense of wonder and aspiration when it comes to the building and construction industry.

Following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, Wade has now been employed in building and construction for more than 20 years.

No job is too difficult and in fact, Wade relishes in finding solutions to challenging projects.  Frontline Builders really is set apart from the array of builders available.

It's extremely important to Wade that all projects are completed with minimum inconvenience to the client and, at all times, with complete integrity.  

 

Meet Your Bespoke Builders

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Wade Smith

DIRECTOR & PROJECT MANAGER

Wade has been building now for more than 20 years and running his own business for about 15 years.  Wade loves challenges on the building site and being able to get his teeth into the tricky stuff.  Wade also owns a 114 hectare dry-stock property, so spends weekends and any spare moment enjoying his property; often with his four children.

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Nicola Ekdahl

DIRECTOR

Nicola isn’t happy unless she’s busy, so a lifestyle of building, farming and children suits her perfectly.  Having a Bachelor of Social Sciences means Nicola has a keen eye for details and is always on a mission to run the business more effectively and efficiently.

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Shaun

FOREMAN

Although recently passed, Shaun will forever remain an integral part of Frontline Builders.  Shaun had over 40 years of building experience and had been an employee of Frontline Builders for almost 15 years; 5 of those being spent as Foreman.  The team and clients alike will miss Shaun's relaxed and easy going manner and cheeky grin.

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Mike

FOREMAN

Mike Cash has well over a decade of building experience, so he certainly knows his way around a building site! Mike's extremely friendly and approachable, so make sure you say gidday when you see him around. Mike is a Foreman at Frontline Builders and a Licensed Building Practitioner.  Mike has many hobbies including fishing, camping and trying his hand at winning competitions on The Rock radio station! 

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Peter

FOREMAN

Peter is the newest addition to the Frontline Builders’ team and joins us as Foreman. Peter has decades of building experience and is no stranger to running both building sites and site teams. Peter is an experienced project manager too, so his skills are well and truly welcome at Frontline Builders. If you don’t get to catch up with him on site, you’ll probably catch Peter at the next Taranaki Bulls game or refereeing local rugby games. In his remaining spare time, Peter enjoys keeping fit and spending time with family and friends.

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Nicolas

TRADESPERSON

Since leaving school Nic has already racked up thousands of hours on building sites.  After joining the Frontline Builders team as a 3rd year apprentice, he is now a fully qualified builder!  When he's not building he spends his spare time helping out on his partners farm or hunting and fishing.

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Jerome

APPRENTICE

Jerome joined the team in 2022 after relocating his family to an Egmont Village lifestyle block from Auckland. While Jerome joins us as an apprentice, he’s no newbee to the trades and leaves almost 20 years as a flooring tradesman behind him. Jerome puts his passion for sport and music to good use as he volunteers as a rugby coach when requried and plays bass guitar in a band.

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Caleb

APPRENTICE

We're excited to introduce Caleb who is our our newest team member and has a carpentry apprenticeship in his sights.  Caleb is a member of the Fitzroy Surf Lifesaving and Waitara Kayak Clubs and also keeps fit playing rugby for the New Plymouth Old Boys’ Colts and spending time with his dog Daisy. He also enjoys tinkering with motorbikes and taking his motorbike on a spin during a back-country trail ride.

Travis

Travis

STUDENT

Travis has been a Gateway student through the Inglewood High School Pathways Programme throughout 2023. Travis has his sights set on becoming an Apprentice Carpenter. He is committed to his time on site with us and as the student on site, never complains about the menial tasks thrown at him. We think he’ll make one heck of a great builder!