Woman in the trades

• Published date: 01 December 2021
• Author: Rose O'Connor
• Publication title: West Coast Messenger, The

"I had mostly been working in administrative roles since leaving school. Back then, I didn't know what I wanted to do so my parents (Glen Morgan and Chris Lewaqai) supported my decision to leave school early and not to pursue university studies," Kyra said.

She had spent quite a lot of time working with children in her various jobs so she even surprised herself to end up in building.

"Once I saw that Instagram post, I messaged the woman to ask her advice about being a female builder in the industry. She fully recommended it but suggested I do some work experience before making any major decisions."

That was before lockdown last year. Kyra had already been flatting next to a building site and had been intrigued to return home each night to monitor the house.

"The visual progress was amazing -- you would actually be able to see what you were achieving! Imagine going home at the end of the day and not having to go to the gym! I didn't talk about to anyone - there were no woman in the trades that I knew," Kyra said.

"I loved my job but there wasn't always anything to show for it at the end of the day and I wasn't very active in it."

Kyra decided to follow the Queenstown...