PolycarbWN was started on the same day I retired.

That probably sounds backwards. Retirement is meant to be the finish line. Feet up, slower mornings, fewer responsibilities. That was the plan, anyway.

But when the day arrived and the dust settled, I realised two things pretty quickly.

First, the pension wasn’t going to be enough on its own.

Second, I wasn’t done. Not even close.

I still had energy. I still liked solving problems. And I still wanted to be useful, not just busy.

So instead of seeing retirement as an ending, I treated it as a pivot.

PolycarbWN grew out of that moment. A practical business supplying polycarbonate roofing, fixings, PVC guttering and downpipes, based on the Kapiti Coast. Nothing flashy. Just good materials, straight advice, and turning up when you say you will.

What surprised me was how natural it felt.

After years of working, you build up something that doesn’t disappear when you retire, experience. You learn what matters to people. You learn that most customers don’t want jargon or pressure. They want clarity, honesty, and to feel like they’re not being mucked around.

That’s how PolycarbWN operates.

This business isn’t about chasing endless growth or building an empire. It’s about sustainability, independence, and staying connected to the real world. It fits around my life, supports my future, and helps others get their projects done properly.

I’m sharing this here on Catchakiwi because it reflects what this platform stands for.

Local people backing themselves.

Experience being valued, not sidelined.

And the idea that starting something new doesn’t have an expiry date.

Retirement didn’t slow me down. It just gave me the space to build something that made sense.

And sometimes, that’s the best time to start.