Our Story
I’m Willy Barrett, founder of Resolution Roofing and like many good Kiwi stories, mine starts out in the bush.
I grew up in rural Western Bay of Plenty, one of several siblings in a busy, hands-on household. We built huts, rode motorbikes, and made our own fun. That lifestyle taught me the value of hard work from early on.
Sport played a big role in my life, especially rugby. It took me to Mt Albert Grammar in Auckland, where I played in the First XV and rep teams for Auckland and North Harbour. Those years gave me discipline, teamwork, and grit, qualities that still guide me today.
After school, I kicked off a building apprenticeship, but soon the travel itch set in. I headed to Perth, working roofing jobs across regional WA, including FIFO gigs in the mines. It was tough work, but it built resilience.
While in Australia, I got hooked on Muay Thai, training seriously and even fighting in Thailand. It taught me focus, discipline, and respect.
Later, I moved into sheet metal work, including offshore oil and gas platforms where the standards were sky-high. It reinforced my belief in doing things right, no shortcuts.
Eventually, my partner (now wife) and I returned to Aotearoa. Not long after, we found out we were expecting our first child, a moment that shifted everything.
In 2021, I founded Resolution Roofing in Warkworth, combining years of hands-on experience with a clear purpose: to build something solid, backed by strong values and high standards.
The Resolution Roofing Journey
Resolution Roofing began in 2021, shortly after my wife and I had returned to New Zealand from a working holiday in Canada. We’d met while travelling in Europe and had built a life abroad, but when the pandemic hit, we knew it was time to come home.
Starting fresh, we soon found out we were expecting our first child. That moment gave me clarity and drive to create something meaningful. Resolution Roofing was born, built on experience and a deep sense of purpose.
We picked up early residential jobs through word of mouth, and before long we landed our first decent size cladding and roofing project, a key milestone.
By early 2022, the business had grown from a solo operation to a small team of skilled tradies. We gained a strong local reputation for delivering high-end metal roofing and architectural cladding with real care and consistency.
In 2024, we moved into our own dedicated workshop/yard. It gave us better capacity for planning, maintaining stock, a lay down area for our scaffolding and managing jobs efficiently. We also began working with repeat clients and builders who share our values, do it once, do it right.
Those relationships are still the heartbeat of our business today.
What We’ve Learned
Building a great business starts with people.
I’ve learned that consistency and genuine care matter, for your team, your clients, and your reputation. When you surround yourself with good people, treat them well, and give them a clear sense of purpose, culture builds naturally.
It’s not just something you talk about. It’s something you live, every day, on every job.