We aim to have a high level of quality in everything we do.
Nathan Tucker
Wainuiomata, a small town in Lower Hutt, was the place I grew up. I went to both a primary school and intermediate in Wainuiomata, then attended St Patricks College, Silverstream.
I started building when I was four years old while at the play centre. I would pretend I was planning timber, or hammer stuff after watching dad onsite during the weekend. As I got older I would help him onsite during weekends or school holidays, earning a little pocket money along the way.
Swimming has also been a big part of my life. I learnt to swim as an 8-year old and my passion for it grew and developed over the years when I won numerous National medals and competed in Australia. During my 13-year swimming career, I learned excellent life skills such as time management, self-discipline, and goal setting. All of which have helped me become a better business owner/operator.
Dad (Jeff, as he is called onsite) had owned his own building company: J&D Tucker Ltd. I started working at J&D Tucker full-time in 2005. Not long after I had completed my apprenticeship in 2007, Dad was offered some work in Australia. Both mum and dad decided to see if the grass was greener on the other side of the ditch, and moved over.
So in 2007, Pharaoh Construction Ltd was created. Dad had given me some tools, a vehicle and some contacts to get started. And after a year in Oz, they both returned, and dad and I became business partners.
Why Pharaoh Construction? I’ve always had an interest in ancient Egypt and its history. After visiting in 2010, and seeing the pyramids and tombs of the pharaohs, I decided my company should also one day build structures to stand the test of time.
Not only has Pharaoh Construction grown over the years, but so has my family. Having finally married my partner of 11 years, we now also have a 20-month-old son, Maximus.
I’ve always been a believer in providing a great service and quality buildings. Over the years both Jeff and I have helped grow a cooperative and people-focused culture, as we believe that communication is the key to an efficient and effective construction project.
Dad and I have been business partners ever since.
We tell our team—you guys see it, construct it, own it, fix it.
Jeff Tucker
I grew up in Wainuiomata and attended all my schooling there. From a very young age, I was encouraged by my parents to play sports. Having achieved Wellington representative status at age grade rugby for Wellington Under 16, Under 18’s and also athletics high jump. I was also successful in softball.
Apart from helping my dad on his projects at home when I was growing up, my first experience in construction was with one of my neighbours a local builder Bruce Littlejohn. Nailing down T&G Rimu/Matai flooring at the age of 13. After I finished my college education, my mother encouraged my siblings and I to do an apprenticeship “something to always fall back on” she would say. I took up an apprenticeship with the local joinery factory Langdon Crown Joinery and completed my apprenticeship 4 years later.
My wife Diana and I bought our first home in Wainuiomata. When our boys were young they too were encouraged to play sports. We registered our sons to play junior rugby at the local club and I also helped out with coaching. I then got more involved and worked alongside other parents behind the scenes with the Junior Rugby Club and coaching of the Hutt Valley and Wellington representative teams. Diana and I also supported our sons in swimming, from learning to swim to competitive swimming, waking up at 5am to travel to Naenae Pool for training.
I started labour only building houses/alteration works for several building companies in the Wellington area most of this work being in Karori, Roseneath, Wadestown, Khandallah and Seatoun area. Becoming Site Foreman for Bullock Builders.
Five years later I formed my own construction business and my son Nathan decided to be a builder and did his apprenticeship alongside me. After Nathan had completed his apprenticeship and worked with me for some time, Diana and I moved to Australia to work where I was employed by a large building company in Brisbane. While in Brisbane I worked on high-end renovations under $5 million. Some of this work required some serious problem-solving and ‘thinking outside the box’ solutions. Upon my return, Nathan and I became co-owners of Pharaoh Construction.
Pharaoh Construction has grown to a smart successful business offering what I want, building nice things. I like to stand back at the end of the day knowing I was part of making something special for others to enjoy.