From building houses to finding the perfect one

After 26 moves and a lifetime spent building houses, Brian Tucker thought he’d be starting one last project when he enquired about a piece of land that belonged to Merivale Retirement Village. Instead, he found the one home where he didn’t need to change a thing.

“We were looking for a building site to build another forever home,” Brian says.

However, Brian and his wife Sharon were shown a brand-new townhouse within the village and the rest was history. “We sort of looked at each other and said, ‘we could definitely move in here,’” he recalls.

After nearly six decades of building and moving, the idea of staying put suddenly felt right for them both. “After all these moves, I don’t think we were that keen to do it again.”

Brian’s working life had always been hands-on. A qualified carpenter and joiner, he spent years, not just building, but designing homes and small developments.

“We’d build them, landscape them, sell them, then move on and do it all again,” he says.

His drive to take on new challenges took his family overseas in the 1980s when Brian was offered a management role at a building and hardware company in Papua New Guinea. “They said, ‘why don’t you have a crack at it?’ So I did!” he says.

It was a very different lifestyle – a small community, big adventures, and a steep learning curve – but one he looks back on fondly.

“It was a great adventure for us and the kids. There were only about 700 expats in the wider area, and we did a lot of game fishing and outdoor activities.”

Back in Christchurch, Brian’s pattern of hard work continued over the years: design, build, move, repeat.

Alongside it all was rugby.

A passionate player, Brian was part of a Golden Oldies team that travelled the world to tournaments in places like Edinburgh and San Diego. “You meet a lot of people… it’s really great camaraderie,” he says.

While multiple injuries and back operations have since taken him off the field, the connection to the game remains. “They call me the bionic man because I've had quite a few joints replaced… but it’s all right standing on the sideline, yelling advice,” he laughs.

Camaraderie is something he’s found again at Merivale Village, but these days, it’s a little easier on his body.

Brian still likes to keep busy. He’s part of the residents’ group that helps new people settle in and he contributes to village life in practical ways. He recently got his bar license and helped set up a payment system via a ‘village bar card’.

There’s also more time to enjoy village live – whether that’s socialising with neighbours, enjoying the new swimming pool, spa and gym, or just appreciating not having another project on the go.

Looking back, Brian’s advice to the younger generation: “Work with your brain a bit more than your body,” he laughs.

It’s hard-earned advice from decades building homes. But thankfully, Brian Tucker has found one that doesn’t need improving – and that might be the best project of all!