What we do

The Glass and Glazing Institute of New Zealand, commonly referred to as the GGINZ, is New Zealand’s centre of excellence for glass industry training.

It specialises in equipping glass and glazing workers with industry skills and knowledge to be competent and successful.

Annually the GGINZ delivers high-quality training and formative assessments to over 250 apprentices following a curriculum developed by industry which is then registered on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website.

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Frank Cole

  • Frank began his glazing career in 1983 as an apprentice in Palmerston North for Winstone Glass. On completion he then had two years in Auckland working as a sales coordinator at the main distribution centre for Winstone Glass at Gabador Place.

    Taking a gap year or three, Frank headed off overseas to travel and to play rugby. He came back to New Zealand and was appointed Branch Manager for Winstone Glass in Wellington. In 1998 he established his own successful business.

    Part-time tutoring at the GGINZ began in 2006, following which Frank was appointed head tutor in 2019. Frank still enjoys watching rugby and running marathons in his spare time.

    (Note from editor: Frank is a quiz guru in the specialist topic of rugby.)

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John Mortensen

  • John started his glazing apprenticeship in 1994 with Winstone Glass in Palmerston North. Once qualified, he worked for independent glazing companies as a foreman/leading hand and helped with training apprentices. Throughout this time he also gained experience in operating a glazing business.

    John is now the director of Absolute Glass 2014 Ltd and tutors part-time at the Glass and Glazing Institute of New Zealand. John is a qualified glazier and has attained his New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching.

Charmaine Farquhar

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  • Charmaine Farquhar started in the Glass Industry at Viridian Glass Palmerston North in 2018. She worked in the office where she learnt all the theory sides of glazing prior to beginning her apprenticeship in 2019.

    Charmaine completed her apprenticeship at Central Glass and Aluminium in Palmerston North in 2021 where she currently works as 2IC in the glazing department. Being based in Palmerston North she has experience in glazing all things glass, from small residential jobs to large commercial jobs.

    Charmaine won the Allan Sage Memorial award for apprentice excellence in 2022.

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Chris Renata

  • With 25 years in the glazing industry, Chris brings a wealth of experience to both his role as a tutor at the Glass and Glazing Institute of New Zealand and his business, Pristine Glass and Glazing, which he established and continues to grow.

    Chris began his career with Viridian Glass as a processor, completing his apprenticeship in this specialty. He later established Pristine Glass and Glazing, specializing in frameless glazing and contracting to major suppliers.

    Now balancing business ownership with tutoring, Chris is passionate about passing on his knowledge to the next generation of glaziers. Committed to continuous learning, he is working towards a formal qualification in Adult Teaching - because in glazing, as in life, learning never stops.

Benefits from learning at GGINZ

  • Watch: Watch What happens at an apprentices off job training course.

  • Effective Learning Methods
    At GGINZ, courses are led by industry experts and teaching specialists, ensuring learners gain valuable skills and confidence to bring back to the workplace.

    Our structured programmes, designed by industry professionals, facilitate learning in a clear, progressive way, helping learners build broad industry knowledge and specific expertise.

  • Achieving National Standards
    By attending GGINZ courses, learners meet New Zealand-wide standards, ensuring consistency in learning and assessment across the country. No steps in theory or practical learning are missed.

  • Networking & Industry Exposure
    Learners connect with others from different companies, building relationships with future industry leaders. They are also introduced to a range of new products and gain firsthand experience with different suppliers, broadening their industry knowledge.

  • Safe Learning Environment
    GGINZ courses provide a supportive space where learners can make, analyze, and correct mistakes while developing skills at a commercially competent pace.

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    VERINA JONES

    GGINZ Chief Executive

    Verina brings over 20 years of experience in launching successful small businesses in the aviation and trade sectors, shaping customer-focused concepts, and delivering impactful initiatives—including New Zealand’s first authentic Apprentice Leadership Programme, which gave learners a direct voice in decision-making at BCITO, the country’s largest on-the-job construction training provider.

    With a strong background in business, management, and education, Verina understands the value of formal training and the challenges faced by small business owners. Like the team at GGINZ, she is fully committed to delivering industry-relevant, high-quality training for apprentices and professionals looking to upskill.

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    JO CARKEEK

    GGINZ Board Chair

    Jo has over 25 years of business and leadership experience working in senior positions across a variety of sectors both in corporate and manufacturing environments. Jo’s management career commenced with FMCG & Supply Chain Distribution, followed by corporate HR roles with telecommunications and insurance industries with a focus across New Zealand and Australia.

    Subsequently Jo has had four years in the glass industry on the senior leadership team of Viridian Glass in a GM role with accountability for business services teams operating in Marketing, Technical, Procurement, Human Resources, Health & Safety, and Payroll.

    Jo has led and supported both workforce and business strategies as well as shaping operational execution.

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    DARRYL MAC

    GGINZ Director

    Darryl started his career in aluminium joinery working for Fisher Windows and Aluminium City in Auckland. He joined Metro in 1990 and in 1993 opened the North Harbour branch which he ran until Metro sold in 2006. He remained at Metro until 2015 in several roles including Upper North Island regional manager. For two years he was with Vetro Raccordi.

    Darryl is now with Architectural Glass Products (AGP). Darryl has been involved with training and glass association bodies for a number of years chairing both GANZ and IGUMA along with participating in standards committees writing the New Zealand glazing in buildings standards (NZS 4223).

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    GARETH HAMILL

    GGINZ Director

    Gareth currently manages Ziggy’s Masterton Glass, a glass and glazing merchant business in the Wairarapa. Prior to this he spent 20 years working with NZ’s largest glass processing and glazing business in commercial glazing, technical and senior leadership roles.

    Gareth holds a Bachelor of Building Science degree from Victoria University of Wellington.

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    GARY WALDEN

    GGINZ Director

    Gary started with Smith and Smith Glass in 1984 following which he established his own business between 1989 and 2004 selling and installing glass blocks. He joined National Glass / Euroglass / Viridian Glass (mergers) in 2004 and enjoyed a long employment with them until 2019 including roles as Northern Regional Manager and National Commercial Manager.

    After three years with Landson Glass / Glass Solutions New Zealand working in project sourcing from China, Gary has returned to running his own business in the glass and window industry, working in the residential sector. Passionate about training, Gary joined the GGI as Director in 2020.

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    DANIEL ROBERTS

    GGINZ Director