KEY POINTS:
Television already picks the best in pop music (Pop Idol) ballroom dancing (Dancing With the Stars) and over-emoting on desert islands (Survival).
Now, it's tradesmen's turn. A new show, due to screen in May, will pit tradesmen from throughout New Zealand against each other in a Jack of All Trades Competition.
Contestants will be tested on their speed, skill, professionalism, safety, innovation and creativity.
The top tool-person will receive a suitably industrial $100,000 prize package - a ute, a tool kit, a "complete wardrobe of workwear" and an assortment of a sponsor's fine products.
Contestants will have to be able to turn their hands to carpentry, bricklaying, painting, tiling and plumbing.
Heats will be held in Christchurch and Wellington in March, and four people from each centre will go to the Auckland final, where the challenge will be to build a backyard shed.
The format has been a success in Australia, where 1000 entries were received. The series was won by New South Wales builder Brad Lawrence, who will be one of the judges in the New Zealand competition.
Competition organiser Damien Bray said the competition would find New Zealand's best tradesman.
"We want to find the people who are handy on the tools and deliver on time, to spec and to budget," he said.
Any of New Zealand's 30,000 tradespeople who want to enter can do so at www.mitre10megajackofalltrades.co.nz.
- NZPA
