About us
Quality builds.
Exceptional standards.
A Queenstown building company built on craftsmanship, honest communication and pride in every detail.
Meet John
John Hudson
Director · Licensed Building Practitioner · Registered Master Builder
John has been building in Queenstown since 2011. He's known for his high standards and his attention to detail.
He founded Hudson Builders Limited in Lower Shotover to build homes the way he believes they should be built: carefully, honestly and to last. John leads every project personally, from first price to final handover, with a skilled team of builders behind him. He's regularly on site, so clients always deal directly with the person responsible for their home.
His own family home on Hicks Road is the best example of his work. It's well insulated and largely powered by solar, and in 2023 it was named in the national Top 100 at the Registered Master Builders House of the Year awards, as well as winning Southern Regional Gold in the Builder's Own Home category. On the same site, John spent around two years hand-restoring Hicks Cottage, a heritage-listed cottage from the 1870s. He kept its timber-shingle roof, river-stone chimney and original framing. The award judges praised its craftsmanship, and the project has since featured in the Otago Daily Times, QT Magazine and Business South.
Whether it's a new architectural home, a commercial building or a piece of local history, John brings the same care to every detail.
How we work
What you can expect
Craftsmanship
We take care over every detail, from framing and weathertightness through to the final finishes.
Direct communication
You deal directly with John, from first price to handover. Expect clear pricing, regular updates and no surprises.
Peace of mind
As Registered Master Builders, we offer a 10-year Master Build Guarantee on your new home.
Heritage restoration
Hicks Cottage
Hicks Cottage, near the Old Shotover Bridge, was built by Thomas Hicks in the mid-1870s and is category 3 heritage listed. John bought the derelict cottage with his Lower Shotover section in 2019.
Over about two years, the team restored it by hand. They kept the timber-shingle roof, river-stone chimney and original framing, and turned it into boutique accommodation. The judges at the 2023 House of the Year awards praised its craftsmanship.
In the media
Press & features
Judges applaud ‘top-drawer skills’
Business South profiles John's Gold Award in the Builder's Own Home category at the 2023 Registered Master Builders House of the Year awards.
QT Magazine · April 2023Historic cottage's new lease of life
QT reports on how John restored the 150-year-old, category 3 heritage-listed Hicks Cottage, built by Thomas Hicks in the mid-1870s, as boutique accommodation.
Otago Daily Times · June 2022Historic Queenstown cottage rises again
The ODT follows John and his team as they restore Hicks Cottage, including its timber-shingle roof, river-stone chimney and original framing.
Our partners
Working with great people
We work closely with trusted Queenstown designers, engineers and suppliers. Peak Architecture designed several of our recent homes, and Blueprint Consulting Engineers are our trusted structural engineers. Our suppliers include Harrison Bloy, Smeg, Mitsubishi Electric and Tilemax Queenstown.
