Scholarship Recipient: Building Strong Foundations in Queenstown

When Kahutia Whaanga-Davies first considered studying Quantity Surveying, it was not a sudden decision. The seed had been planted years earlier by a high school careers advisor who recognised his aptitude for the commercial side of construction.

That early advice stayed with him.

Encouraged later by teaching staff who explained the Bachelor in Construction could be completed by distance, Kahutia made the decision to enrol. At the time, he was already working full-time as a Junior Quantity Surveyor for a main contractor. Balancing work and study would not be easy, but he saw the long-term value.

And he was right.

Studying While Working Full-Time

Working full-time while completing a Bachelor in Construction is not for the faint-hearted. It requires discipline, resilience and the ability to prioritise with precision.

For Kahutia, the experience became a lesson in structure and momentum.

“Working and studying was a real juggling act,” he says. “Through that process I learned how to break down large goals into manageable milestones.”

That ability to deconstruct complexity is now one of his most valuable professional skills. In an industry where projects are layered, deadlines are tight, and variables shift daily, being able to map the path ahead matters.

Queenstown adds its own dynamic to the mix. With a smaller construction community, relationships are everything. Consultants, subcontractors, suppliers and contractors often know one another from previous projects.

Because the industry is smaller, Kahutia has naturally built strong working relationships across the sector. That network, combined with formal study, has strengthened his capability and confidence.

The Impact of CGF Scholarship Support

Further study always comes with financial pressure. Course fees sit in the back of your mind. They are there during lectures, during late-night assignments, and during weekend catch-up sessions.

Kahutia applied for the CGF Further Study Scholarship to help offset that pressure.

Receiving the scholarship made a genuine difference.

“It took away that financial pressure and allowed me to focus fully on my studies,” he explains.

That freedom to focus is significant. When financial stress is reduced, mental bandwidth opens up. Students can engage more deeply with content, think more strategically, and commit fully to the learning process rather than worrying about cost.

For CGF, this is exactly the purpose of the General Scholarship programme: to strengthen capability across the construction sector by supporting individuals to advance their education.

From Theory to Practice

While studying provides the framework, construction sites provide the real test.

Kahutia notes that skills such as cost control, procurement, risk management and contract administration truly sharpen when applied on live projects. However, the Bachelor in Construction provided a strong base knowledge from which to grow.

One subject in particular shifted his perspective.

Construction Business Management highlighted the challenges construction firms face when deciding how to operate, plan and remain sustainable. It reinforced that commercial success is not accidental. It requires structure, foresight and disciplined decision-making.

Today, Kahutia applies his learning in a practical and grounded way.

He recognises something many experienced professionals eventually discover.

“The more you learn, the less you know.”

Rather than seeing that as discouraging, he sees it as a strength. Being aware of knowledge gaps encourages curiosity. It builds humility. It fosters collaboration.

He is comfortable asking experienced colleagues for clarification and insight. In a tight-knit market like Queenstown, that openness strengthens both individual growth and collective project outcomes.

Strengthening Sector Capability

CGF’s scholarships are designed to wrap around the construction industry and support those committed to lifting their skills.

Kahutia’s message to others considering applying is simple.

“The CGF scholarships are designed to be applied for. I would definitely encourage people interested to do so.”

Financial support like this is not simply about course fees. It is about building confidence. It is about enabling emerging professionals to step forward. It is about strengthening the depth of commercial capability across New Zealand’s construction sector.

For Kahutia, completing his Bachelor in Construction is more than a qualification. It is a foundation for long-term growth in an industry that relies on precision, accountability and strong professional relationships.

And in a place like Queenstown, where everyone knows everyone, that foundation matters.