By Highland Stone
Highland Stone were brought in to help design where the stone should go in this luxury home renovation in Waikato. Being involved from the beginning meant that our design expertise was applied as well as quarrying, supplying and laying all the stone on the project.
We used Te Mata basalt for its ability to work with the landscape and also durability in the Waikato climate. Traditional methods of construction were used to create these features - it is all done by hand with hammer and chisel. The clients were happy with the craftsmanship and the outcome was exactly what they were wanting.
Stewart is from a little town in the highlands of Scotland called Lossiemouth. He has always been fascinated by historic stone architecture and took up an SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) Masonry apprenticeship after leaving school. His training covered everything from restoration of heritage buildings (including castles, abbeys and churches) and laying stone on new builds.
In 2006, Stewart moved to New Zealand and took up residence in the Waikato. He was one of the first people in the country to complete the new NZQA Certificate in Stonemasonry.
Following the Christchurch earthquakes, Stewart relocated to help with the extensive restoration work being undertaken. After working away from home for a couple of years, he returned to the Waikato and is based in Cambridge doing all types of stonework.