This February we held seven Welcome Back Bowls events around the motu with the support of CARTERS. 

According to all account this year's events were once again a great success and the teams had a fantastic time with the weather amazingly holding out for all seven!

Our Regional Committee members around the country worked to organise the events and keep things running smoothly for all those attending.

We had to share one particularly thorough and compellingly written report back from our Tāhuna | Queenstown event by our man on the ground: Gordy McGregor. 

Read Gordy's report below:

Valentine's Day Back to Work Bowls – Queenstown

Date: February 14, 2025
Location: Queenstown Bowling Club
Event Type: Competitive Social Bowls
Participants: 24 Teams, 100+ Design, Engineering, and Construction Professionals
Weather: 27°C of Sunshine & Beach Vibes

Overview

On Valentine's Day 2025, the Queenstown Bowling Club hosted a vibrant and competitive Back to Work Bowls event, bringing together over 100 design, cost, engineering, architectural, and construction professionals for a casual yet high-energy networking opportunity. The event, celebrated under clear blue skies and a laid-back beach dress code, embodied both friendly competition and community spirit.

With 24 teams on the green, the stakes were high, and the atmosphere was filled with camaraderie, laughter, and a fierce desire to claim victory. Sunshine, a cold drink in hand, and a good game were the perfect recipe for a memorable afternoon in Queenstown.

The Winners

After several rounds of strategic play and fun-filled moments, the winners emerged.

1st Place – The Naylor Love Team

A well-deserved victory went to the Naylor Love team, which included standout players:

• Niall Quinn
• Michael Lynn
• Tim Campbell
• Chris Baines
• For the final, only Bruce Halligan represented the side, leading them to a stunning win.

Their exceptional teamwork and skillful play shone through, earning them the ultimate prize of the day.

2nd Place – PQS, led by Sam Taylor from QUBE

The PQS team, expertly led by Sam Taylor from QUBE, secured second place. Their strategic approach and commitment to the game placed them just a step behind the top team, earning them well-deserved recognition.

3rd Place – RCP Team

Rounding out the top three was the RCP team, proudly wearing their lifejackets in true spirit. Their performance was a testament to their teamwork and tenacity, as they secured third place amidst stiff competition.

Best Dressed – Individual

Aggy Jeon from Warren & Mahoney Studio nailed the brief with a snazzy fruit Hawaiian shirt ably supported by some rather fetching matching socks!!

Best Dressed – Team

The brothers and sisters of the steamy lifejacket wearing fraternity of RCP smashed this by their commitment to nautical safety.

Special Thanks & Acknowledgments

We extend our deepest gratitude to all those who made this event a success:

• Sponsors: A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors who made the day possible:
  • Carters
  • RCP
  • Cook Brothers Construction
  • Holmes
• The Queenstown Bowling Club: We are immensely grateful to the Queenstown Bowling Club for hosting this dynamic event and providing the perfect venue for a day of networking and friendly competition.
• The Carters Trade Team: A special thanks to the Carters Trade Team, who manned the BBQ and served up delicious meals to keep everyone energized in the 27°C heat. Your efforts were much appreciated!
• The NZIOB Home Team and members in attendance – Thanks to Andrew Pountney as the MC and Kyle Clapperton as the master of fun.

Conclusion

The Back to Work Bowls event on Valentine's Day was an unforgettable occasion that seamlessly blended professional networking with a spirit of fun and healthy competition. From the sizzling BBQ under the sun to the nail-biting rounds of bowls, it was a perfect day that highlighted both the passion and talent of Queenstown’s design, engineering, and construction community. Here’s to next year’s event – bigger, better, and even more fun-filled!