Tom Webster (architect)

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Thomas John Webster is a British-born New Zealand architect and television presenter. He is best known for presenting the seventh season of Grand Designs New Zealand in 2022.[1]

Career

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Tom Webster was born in Liverpool, grew up in Bath and studied architecture in Wales.[2][3] He worked in New Zealand in the late 2000s, then returned to the United Kingdom. He has previously worked for Google and at Windsor Castle.[4] After returning to New Zealand in 2016, he was a project architect with Cheshire Architects for the Hotel Britomart development.[5] He is a registered architect and now runs an architectural practice, focusing on domestic builds and renovations.[2][6]

Personal life

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Webster lives on the North Shore of Auckland. He is married and has two sons.[3]

TV appearances

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Chris Moller, the original presenter of Grand Designs New Zealand decided to step away from that role after the sixth season.[4] Webster's role was first announced in February 2021, with Webster being quoted that “It was a great opportunity that came to me. Grand Designs was looking for a new presenter for a new era. I had a couple of auditions, and they seemed to like me.”[3][5]

It was intended that the seventh season, with Webster as the new presenter, would begin airing in early 2022. However, due to the affects of COVID-19, the first episode was not broadcast till October 2022.[2][5]

References

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  1. ^ Hawkes, Colleen (6 October 2022). "A grand passion for Kiwi designs". The Press. Christchurch, NZ: Stuff Ltd. p. 23.
  2. ^ a b c Baillie, Russell (15 October 2022). "Man about the house". New Zealand Listener. Auckland, NZ: Are Media Ltd: 66. ISSN 2381-9553.
  3. ^ a b c Hawkes, Colleen (5 October 2022). "Grand Designs NZ's new presenter Tom Webster 'accepted as a Brit with an accent'". Stuff. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b Bevan, Darren (3 February 2021). "Grand Designs New Zealand moves to TVNZ 1, new host Tom Webster to replace Chris Moller". Stuff. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Hawkes, Colleen (4 February 2021). "New Grand Designs presenter: Who is Tom Webster?". Stuff. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  6. ^ "NZRAB – Mr Thomas Webster". New Zealand Registered Architects Board. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
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