80 | More than a roof over your head Nathan Leslie at the coal face. Top Notch Roofing T T Aimee Wilson Nathan Leslie often has the best view from his office and that’s because of the diverse range of roofing projects he’s involved in. He and the team at Top Notch Roofing have been flat out with repair work around the wider Dunedin area following severe wind damage in October, as well as continuing with their day-to-day reroofs and new build work. They are particularly excited about an upcoming heritage restoration project of a 1937 home in Dunedin. The property features Tudor influences combined with Modern and Art Deco elements, making it both architecturally significant and technically complex. Last year they installed a Colorsteel Curve corrugated roof to upgrade an aging butyl roof as part of a storm damage repair job. This also included replacing multiple flat roofs with new TPO roofing membrane and upgrading worn old butyl flashing to new Colorsteel chase apron flashings. Before Christmas, the team completed a TPO roof installation in the heart of Dunedin’s CBD, for a building that was being extended by another storey for Connor Jones Group. The small four-person team are often sought after for advice or technical jobs around Dunedin and even further afield. Nathan won the RANZ Roofer of the Year in 2023 and has received many multiple finalist places in the Colorsteel awards and was a regional winner in the Roofing Games. Having been in the roofing industry since 1998, he was one of the first roofing apprentices in the country. Following his move south in 2010, he worked for a few companies in Dunedin before starting his own business in 2020. Dunedin being one of New Zealand’s older cities means there is plenty of re-roofing work available, as houses become stretched to the limits of their life. Their services include long 021 197 1679 blair@dhch.co.nz Proudly associated with Top Notch Roofing PLACEMAKERS DUNEDIN & MOSGIEL PROUDLY SUPPORTING PLACEMAKERS DUNEDIN & MOSGIEL 50 Burns St & 34 Carncross St Phone: (03) 466 4617 Email: orders.dunedin@placemakers.co.nz CONTRACTING roofing and cladding in a range of profiles, membrane roof installation and occasionally tile fixing. Recent weather events have meant the team’s focus has been a lot more on damage repair, leak solving, and insurance reports. “The frequency of these storms often highlights to homeowners the need for roof maintenance or upgrading their aged roofs.” Looking ahead, he says the roofing industry in New Zealand faces both exciting opportunities and important responsibilities. As architectural styles evolve, roofing iron is increasingly being used not just for weatherproofing but as an aesthetic feature in contemporary builds — from sleek cladding accents to bold roof forms that make a design statement. “Staying at the forefront of these trends means continuing to innovate, learning how new profiles and materials can be shaped and installed to achieve both function and form. “This creativity and technical evolution will be a big part of what keeps Top Notch Roofing engaged and growing in the years ahead.” Central to the future of our trade is the commitment to training the next generation of roofers. Nathan said skilled, qualified roofing professionals aren’t born overnight — they are developed through structured apprenticeships, hands-on experience, and ongoing education. “As someone who came into this industry through apprenticeship myself, I’m passionate about mentoring younger people and helping them gain the expertise they need. “It’s only through investing in our workforce that we’ll meet future demand and lift standards across the board — from simple repairs to complex heritage jobs.” “Staying at the forefront of these trends means continuing to innovate, learning how new profiles and materials can be shaped and installed to achieve both function and form.”
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