History of NKBA

Delivering Industry Excellence for Over 40 Years

NKBA NZ has a rich history of supporting, promoting, and educating the New Zealand kitchen and bathroom industry.

The first meeting of the Steering Committee for the proposed NZ Chapter of the American Institute of Kitchen Dealers was held on Monday 23rd March 1981 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Affiliation was approved in 1982 when a group of New Zealand delegates attended the Dallas Convention and then in 1983 the name was changed to National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NZ) Inc in line with the USA changes.

David Bass was elected our first National President and Ellen Cheever visited in June 1983 to present a series of seminars. She represented the USA Association and presented a framed Affiliation Agreement and the formal agreement for signing.

Read on for just a few key highlights:

• Four regional chapters set up (Auckland, Christchurch, Waikato and Hawkes Bay)
• 15 designers achieved the Certified Kitchen Designer/Certified Bathroom Designer qualification
• First NKBA Executive Officer appointed in February – Bob Wright
• Design competition set up with Trends Publishing
• Judy Bark ran the first NKBA training courses
• Wellington Chapter joined (fifth Chapter)
• National Board representatives elected from Regional Chapters
• Central North Island, Nelson, and Bay of Plenty Chapters set up
• SOE (Seal of Excellence) Scheme set up
• First Life Memberships awarded to David Bass and Jack Clarke
• Michael Grace and Judy Bark attended meeting in Hawaii
• Nelson Chapter set up (Top of the South)
• Certified Designers Society formed
• New industry publication – Kitchen & Bathroom Focus, later to become Forum
• Hall of Fame started in NZ – Judy Bark, David Bass, Bob Wright, and Gary Sheffield (IPP NKBA USA) attended NZ conference, Chapter Rules and CDS Rules agreed
• New Cabinetry Standards released
• Taranaki Chapter set up
• Retail publication issued – Kitchens & Bathrooms With Confidence

Today, NKBA continues its mission to promote and recognise excellence in the New Zealand kitchen and bathroom industry with a full programme of networking and educational events, industry qualifications and workshops, an annual conference and Excellence in Design awards scheme.

NKBA PRESIDENTS

NKBA FELLOWS

Fellow of NKBA is an industry recognition status reserved for members who have made a significant impact on New Zealand’s kitchen and bathroom industry over the course of their career.

Fellows are nominated by their peers and considered by the NKBA Executive Board against criteria that include reputation, leadership, innovation, contribution to industry, and alignment with NKBA values and the Code of Conduct.

Upon retirement, Fellows may continue to attend branch meetings, although other rights attached to financial membership will cease unless otherwise maintained through an active membership category. Fellowship status is maintained on the basis that the Fellow continues to uphold the NKBA Code of Conduct.

Congratulations to our Fellows of NKBA:

NKBA LIFE MEMBERS

Life Membership is awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to New Zealand’s kitchen and bathroom industry over the course of their career. It is a way for NKBA to formally thank members whose service, advocacy, professional standards, and contribution to NKBA have had a lasting impact.

Life Members are nominated by their peers and considered by the NKBA Executive Board against criteria that include reputation, contribution to NKBA and the industry, service to the Executive Board and regional branches, education, advocacy, and exceptional standards.

Life Members are exempt from paying an individual annual membership fee and receive equivalent benefits to a Regional Member, including voting rights and eligibility to enter the NKBA Excellence in Design Awards. Life Membership is maintained on the basis that the Life Member continues to uphold the NKBA Code of Conduct.

Congratulations to our NKBA Life Members: