It Costs Only $1 to Bridge the Gap Between Classroom and Construction

“I failed everything at school, it wasn’t my time to learn,” shared Mick Kelly, Project Manager at Bathroom Genie Ltd. “But later, when I returned to study plumbing and gas, I found my purpose. Building something real, seeing clients go ‘Wow,’ that recognition drove me. It was finally my time to learn.”

Now, Mick is passing on that same spark of purpose to the next generation. His motivation resonated deeply with MBP’s core value of giving back to the community. Together with Bathroom Genie, MBP (NZ) Ltd proudly supported the One Tree Hill College’s $1 Renovation Project, where students transformed a house donated by Kāinga Ora for just one dollar.

The 1968-built house is now being upgraded to meet 7-Star Homestar standards. Under Mick’s guidance, students learned hands-on techniques including tiling, waterproofing, and material preparation while using MBP’s certified low-VOC Mapei products such as Eco Prim Grip Plus, Ultralite S2 T Flex, and Kerapoxy Easy Design to ensure high-performance, healthy, and sustainable results.

Charlotte McKeon, Teacher in Charge of Trade, said student engagement has grown remarkably. “Instead of four or five trade interests, we now see students exploring over 15. They are learning that the cheapest is not always the best, especially when it affects the health of those living at home.”

She added: “This project proves that students can deliver real renovations. We hope it inspires more schools — because with the right support, students could help upgrade over thousand homes in New Zealand.”

It is not just a renovation; it is a blueprint for building futures.