Saxon White from Stuff’s Lower Hutt operation is in the running in a closely-contested PrintNZ apprentice of the year competition.

He is one of ten named for the 2022 BJ Ball Papers Print Apprentice of the Year following a difficult judging process.

The others are Caleb Bowater (Dzine Signs and Display), Paul Coe (Hally Labels), Tammy Connolly (The Big Picture), Brendan Eyles (Williams Signs), Issac Kightley (Nicholson Print), Catriona Mellows (Display Associates), Waka Ropiha (Sealed Air Hamilton), Tana Stewart (Hamilton Stripes and Signs), and Jamie Watson (Printcraft 81).

PrintNZ chief executive Ruth Cobb says the process of identifying the top performers and selecting Apprentice of the Year candidates underscores “just how much craft there is in print”.

“These apprentices demonstrate a huge depth and breadth to their skills and knowledge to deservedly achieve status as becoming the top of their trade.”

Ms Cobb says that, alongside their high-level technical skills, the apprentices also exhibited the “right attitude” to their work and learning, as reflected in a sampling of notable comments made by their direct managers or senior company executives.

White was praised as a “highly-valued and liked member of staff with a can-do and courageous attitude”, who demonstrated a constant desire to learn more about the press and industry

The winner will be named at the Pride In Print Awards at Auckland’s Cordis Hotel on June 23.