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Otago Daily Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
‘No apology, no sorry, no nothing'
It was to be their dream home. A small footprint in the heart of historic Otago goldmining country, where Welsh-born couple Geraint Lewis and Rosana Gunton could finally put down roots. But that dream has turned into a nightmare as the couple face spending winter in an uninsulated former Scout den in the shadow of their unfinished cottage. Their builder, Andrew Innes, of Mosgiel company A&H 2016 Ltd, collected his tools from the site in February and later sent a brief email to say the build would not be completed as the business had been put into liquidation. "No apology, no sorry, no nothing," Mr Lewis said. Earlier this month, the liquidators said Mr Innes had been requested to provide details of the factors that contributed to the company's financial situation. The amounts owed were still being established and, given the limited assets available, it appeared unlikely a dividend would be available, the initial report said. Mr Lewis and Ms Gunton, who estimated they were out of pocket by about $100,000, believed there needed to be changes in building industry rules to protect clients. "Nobody takes responsibility. You've got no control as a customer and there's no comebacks for anybody else," an emotional Ms Gunton said. "We've got to pick up the pieces and we've done nothing wrong," Mr Lewis added. Lawrence couple Geraint Lewis and Rosana Gunton outside their half-finished dream home. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY In his job as a site supervisor — including on the Beaumont Bridge project — he tried to save taxpayer money on projects, so money was not wasted, he said. "But then I've been walked over." The couple have had no further contact from Mr Innes since the email advising liquidation. When contacted by the Otago Daily Times in Australia, where he now lives, Mr Innes maintained he had done nothing wrong. He alleged Mr Lewis and Ms Gunton owned him nearly $54,000, which the couple disputed, saying he had broken the contract and not finished the build. Mr Innes said he was in Australia with his family from early January until early February when he "decided not to continue with the build" due to a break-down in the relationship between the couple and himself, the couple wanting to change details of the build without getting council consent and the engineer's ticket expiring in December 2024. Mr Lewis acknowledged the relationship break-down, claiming it was because the builder was so difficult to deal with, but said any changes to the build were approved by the council and the engineer had extended his ticket. Mr Lewis and Ms Gunton bought the Gabriels Gully Rd property in 2018. Being from the United Kingdom — and with New Zealand so young in comparison —— they were drawn to live in one of the most historic parts of the country and fell in love with the community, where Mr Lewis is now a volunteer firefighter. At just 65sqm and a price tag of about $560,000, their plan was for a smaller footprint using quality materials and it was very much a labour of love, the Welsh slate for the roof coming from the quarry where Mr Lewis used to work in Wales. Many of the materials had been reclaimed or collected and the intent was for the new build to look like an old, historic cottage, in keeping with the local area and history. The couple were aware their home was to be Mr Innes' last build before he moved to Australia. Mr Lewis laid the pad in January, 2024, but he said council delays meant the build did not get under way until about September. Mr Innes said that late start contributed to the liquidation of the business. He had hoped to "go out on a high with an awesome build". Mr Lewis said the couple had paid more than $380,000 to Mr Innes and had been "left with a shell". Recently, they had to borrow $50,000 to get the roof finished before winter. "They [builders] are so protected and its part of the whole thing in New Zealand — the bureaucracy. [There's] so much bureaucracy but it doesn't help you. All these things supposed to keep you safe don't work and it has to change," Ms Gunson said. When contacted, Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson, who lives in Lawrence, said he knew Mr Lewis well and it was obviously a traumatic experience for them. He had sought advice from Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson, who said it was a difficult situation once someone had left the country.
Otago Daily Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Last contract not finished before liquidation: report
A Mosgiel-based building company did not complete its last building contract prior to being put into liquidation, the first liquidator's report says. A&H 2016 Ltd was incorporated in March 2016 and operated in the residential building and construction industry. Its sole director and shareholder was Andrew Stuart John Innes. Trevor and Emma Laing, of Laing Insolvency Specialists, were appointed liquidators by a shareholders' resolution last month. In the report, the liquidators said Mr Innes had been requested to provide details about the factors that contributed to the company's financial situation, and they awaited his response. The company ceased trading some time prior to the date of liquidation and it was understood Mr Innes recently found employment in Australia. The liquidators had access to the company premises and had taken possession of the company assets that were on site. There were five registrations recorded on the Personal Property Securities Register at the date of liquidation, three for stock supplied and two for company vehicles and a leased printer. The liquidators had been advised the company had Inland Revenue liabilities, while liquidators were aware of nine unsecured creditors. The amounts owed were still being established. Given the limited assets available, it appeared unlikely there would be a dividend available to creditors, the report said. — APL
