Nigel Whitton

Nigel Whitton’s love of timber and desire to make perfect things led him into a traditional Shipwright / Boatbuilding apprenticeship, where the ‘old hands’ were keen to teach him their time-honoured techniques.

After qualifying and gaining valuable shore experience Nigel ventured onto the sea based as crew on board super yachts; participating in refits, maintenance and new builds on a number of high profile yachts – including those of Netscape founder Jim Clark and Virgin Group’s Richard Branson.

Stopping occasionally during these nomadic years, he took time to complete an engineering course in the United States, a Marine Engine Operators Licence in England and a voluntary role working with teenagers and children in Peru.

With family life calling, Nigel and his wife Alison returned to New Zealand where Nigel spent a year refining his woodworking and design skills at the Nelson Centre for Fine Woodworking.

In 2007 Nigel established NW Designs and has been steadily producing commission pieces since.