2025 Fastest Trowel Competition
Congratulations to Tali Ika, winner of the 2025 Fastest Trowel competition at the annual New Zealand Brick and Block Layers Conference.
With Firth putting up $10,000 first prize again following on from last year, we also had Bowers put up $4000 for second and The Blockshop sponsoring third prize of $1000, it was all on! The 6 contestants and their labourers chomping at the bit to secure top spot. As always, the contest was tight. Tali’s wall wasn’t just built fast—50 blocks in total—it was laid with real craftsmanship, all in the 20 minute time limit.
The scoring sheet used by the judges, which has 10 categories, is marked out of 160. Tali scored 152, only losing 8 points by not laying as many as another contestant, where you lose 1 point per block. It’s hard to describe, as you need to see it, but laying at that speed and producing a perfect wall is an outstanding accomplishment. This was Tali’s third time winning The Fastest Trowel, setting the bar high!
Thanks to Master Brick & Blocklayers for running the event, and to our sponsors whose support is helping shape it into a highlight of the annual conference. Well done to all the teams, this is a tough competition, so you can be proud of your achievements. Bring on next year!
With Firth putting up $10,000 first prize again following on from last year, we also had Bowers put up $4000 for second and The Blockshop sponsoring third prize of $1000, it was all on! The 6 contestants and their labourers chomping at the bit to secure top spot. As always, the contest was tight. Tali’s wall wasn’t just built fast—50 blocks in total—it was laid with real craftsmanship, all in the 20 minute time limit.
The scoring sheet used by the judges, which has 10 categories, is marked out of 160. Tali scored 152, only losing 8 points by not laying as many as another contestant, where you lose 1 point per block. It’s hard to describe, as you need to see it, but laying at that speed and producing a perfect wall is an outstanding accomplishment. This was Tali’s third time winning The Fastest Trowel, setting the bar high!
Thanks to Master Brick & Blocklayers for running the event, and to our sponsors whose support is helping shape it into a highlight of the annual conference. Well done to all the teams, this is a tough competition, so you can be proud of your achievements. Bring on next year!
