Tradeline Builders and Marine Ltd
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BUILDER Builder (plural: builders) A person who builds or constructs things. (Trade) A master artisan who receives instructions from the architect and employs workers.
SHIPWRIGHT A person who designs, builds, and repairs ships, especially wooden ones. A shipwright is someone who builds, repairs ships using whatever materials are available, including but not limited to wood, metal, plastic, and concrete. A shipwright is one who has honed their skills with precision and is capable of teaching them to others. Their knowledge includes mathematics, mechanics and the use of tools; it also encompasses the application of imagination, ingenuity, creativity, and a vision of what can be.
“The great successful men of the world have used their imaginations… they think ahead and create their mental picture and then go to work materializing that picture in all its details, filling in here, adding a little there, altering this a bit and that a bit, but steadily building - steadily building.”
​Aaron’s Story
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Aaron, the Director of Tradeline, has had a passion for timber since he was a young boy. Fresh out of trade school, he founded Tradeline in 1989. Not long after, he met Dale—who he later promoted to Office Manager in 1992.
Contracting to local building companies, Aaron quickly built a reputation for being both competent and hardworking. Over the years he has built homes for Keith Hay, A1 Homes, Golden Homes, Lockwood, and Paramount Homes. Today, as a Licensed Building Practitioner, Aaron continues to lead the Tradeline team with a hands-on approach. Whether it’s using Metrapanel in Northland or delivering custom builds, you’ll often still find Aaron on site, toolbelt on, nailing off timber.
Aaron is particularly interested in solar-efficient homes, unique designs, and “outside the box” projects—nothing fazes him when it comes to helping clients bring creative ideas to life.
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Marine Craftsmanship
In the early 1990s, Aaron’s skills branched into marine work when a manager asked him to assist at the local shipyard. He discovered he enjoyed the variety, developing expertise in electrical, plumbing, and engineering alongside his timber work. Before long, he became a regular in the yard, completing full tuna vessel refits.
In 2002, Aaron purchased a derelict fishing vessel—the Aquatic Mist—which was destined for demolition after a poor survey report. Many said it couldn’t be repaired, but Aaron proved them wrong. By early 2003, the FV Aquatic Mist was back at sea catching tuna. His craftsmanship, particularly in building a new 50-ft greenheart timber keel and re-planking the underside, impressed surveyors so much that he was invited to present his work publicly.
Aaron has mastered traditional boat-building techniques such as timber steaming and oakum caulking, and often refurbishes sea-going vessels and cabinetry—typically without formal plans. His drive for perfection has earned him a loyal base of returning clients.
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About Dale
Dale was Tradeline’s very first apprentice. A “t-shirt and jeans” kind of person, she’s equally comfortable in an office or on site, unafraid to pick up a hammer when needed. After 30 years of working alongside Aaron (and being “fired” more than once, as she admits with a laugh) she tried to keep the office flowing.
Together, Dale and Aaron have raised five sons, aged between 17 and 33—four of whom now work at Tradeline, keeping the business very much a family affair.
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The Tradeline Team
Tradeline is proud to have a crew that’s as eclectic as they are experienced. Each team member brings their own specialty—whether in civil works, marine refits, cabinetry, concrete forming, or general repairs.
Their teamwork, ability to perform under pressure, and meticulous attention to detail are what set Tradeline apart. At the end of the day, the Tradeline team is the company’s greatest asset.