Plastic Roofing Material NZ | Clear Roofing Products

Meet the Sunnyside Team

Devon / CEO (child executive officer)

I like building stuff. Mainly with Lego.

I’m the face of the business, and I’ve been on several radio ads. I go on lots of deliveries with Dad so I know my stuff. Dad tells cool stories about how he used to go on deliveries with his dad too.

My experience includes testing the durability of ‘polycarb wooofing’ by jumping up and down on it (while it was on the ground of course), trying out new roofing designs with my Lego, and smiling extra big for promotional pictures.

I also like to chat with customers and show them all the different colours.

When I’m not keeping an eye on things in the background, I enjoy climbing things, laughing excessively and practicing growing taller.

Oh, and also Lego…

Kurt / Managing Director

My work background is a quite diverse – from marketing for the distributors of Jaguar/Land Rover, to working as a private investigator, to being in the NZ Army Reserve.

But most of my family are tradies, and I have always been around building materials and tools. I enjoy the building industry because you're working with something tangible and physical. And more than that, it's where people live; it's their home.

I like the fact that everything we do at Sunnyside has a direct, positive impact on our customers. We're not a certain number of levels away from the end user – we're right there with them. So we can easily problem solve or make changes very quickly, based on what customers need.

Part of what makes Sunnyside stand out is the amount of knowledge and information we have to share – not only within the team, but also in our online resources such as videos, blogs, and articles – and our strong commitment to the care factor. Everyone cares about what we're doing. We approach everything from a point of view which asks: ‘What would make this easy for the customer?'

Outside of the business, I enjoy family time, travelling and languages, small building architecture and fitness.

Eric & Michelle/ Owners

Eric was the second generation managing director of Sunnyside. His father (Bram) started the business in 1966 and Eric took over in the 80's, with Michelle handling most of the administration.

Sunnyside has been involved in all sorts of different types of building materials. This mostly came to a close in the 2000's due to the rise of Bunnings and Mitre 10. In 2010, Kurt and Eric got together to completely redesign the business and specialise in polycarbonate roofing.

Eric and Michelle ran the Auckland store for a number of years before stepping back.

Eric now spends much of his time flying around the Bay of Plenty in his ultralight aircraft. Michelle is developing her orchard and organic vegetable garden, while supplying the family with endless amounts of delicious produce.

Pam / Sales

Something I love about my job is talking with people all over New Zealand!

My previous role was as a Travel Consultant, and that really developed my sales and phone skills. When Kurt mentioned that he was looking to employ a part-timer, I happened to be looking for work I could do from home. So this is the perfect job!

It’s satisfying to personally ensure the Sunnyside experience is friendly and helpful for suppliers and customers alike. As a bonus, I especially enjoy seeing pictures of completed jobs. It’s great to know you were a part of that project.

Honesty and kindness are important to me, and I appreciate the family vibe we have here at Sunnyside and the people who make up my work team.

When I’m not managing the phone line, I enjoy running, home design and spending time with my husband and three children.

Tash / Sales

The best part of my job is hearing someone say, “Wow, thanks for all your help!”

I previously worked in the Automotive industry, but after my son was born, I was keen to find work I could do from home while using my customer skills and service order experiences.

I love the fact that Sunnyside is such a family-oriented company. It feels like I'm catching up with family friends, rather than work colleagues, and it gives our business a personal approach.

Family and friends are the most important things to me. I've been married for 3 years and have an amazing little boy. I enjoy taking him on adventures, and we love to go camping as a family.

Emma / Marketing & Communications

After eleven years in aviation and humanitarian work – including a 3-year stint living in Papua New Guinea – the Kiwi building scene is a new one for me!

Communications and writing/editing have always been my passion, so it’s exciting to add my hand to the mix of skills that make up the diverse Sunnyside team.

I like the friendly, down-to-earth vibe of the company, the focus on staff well-being and job fulfillment, and the way we all work together to ensure customers are served with the utmost quality and care.

Outside of work, I enjoy writing music or chilling with a book. It’s hard to tear me away from anything to do with cooking or baking, and I love dancing, exploring green places, and hanging out with my crazy Italian-Scottish family.

Anna / Designer

How did I end up with Sunnyside? I married into it!

My previous work with Queensberry Wedding Albums was a great experience in working for a small business. You learn to adapt, and your role is usually varied and interesting – your job title doesn’t even cover half the things you end up doing!

Working from home with Sunnyside is a bonus for me, and as a designer I enjoy making great content look good.

For me, what makes Sunnyside stand out is our great customer service and our ability to adapt and change. We are family oriented, and we really try to focus on quality service and quality products.

When I’m not creating and designing fresh Sunnyside content, I enjoy calligraphy, gardening, traveling and DIY. I’m a mum of two kids, and the things that are important to me are faith, hope and love.

Suppliers of Great Quality Clear Plastic Roofing Material & Products in New Zealand - Family business, Family values

Hi,

I’m Kurt, the third generation to sit in the Sunnyside driver’s seat.

At Sunnyside, we provide our customers with great-value, quality polycarbonate roofing supplies backed by excellence in customer service.

Quality products

We offer a whole range of quality clear plastic roofing products, shade solutions, spouting, as well as all the necessary accessories you’ll need. We have stores in Auckland and Napier, and we can deliver nationwide to all cities from Whangarei to Invercargill.

Customer satisfaction guaranteed

When you deal with the owner-operator of this family business (that’s me) you’ll always enjoy personal service, good relationships and customer satisfaction. That’s why we have 100% positive feedback from our Trade Me customers.

And a truly personal approach

We believe we can set a new standard by combining a simple streamlined process with a truly personal approach - where I’m always available for free advice, where you get clear, helpful tips about how to install and care for your roof. And where you deal with a business owner who genuinely wants to know about your project and ensure its success.

In fact, for Auckland deliveries, it may even be me dropping off your order… so I’ll look forward to meeting you. Because that’s the Sunnyside way!

Cheers

Kurt Breetvelt

OUR STORY

Our first generation, Bram Breetvelt, came out to New Zealand from Holland in the 1950s. In 1966, he established the Sunnyside business, upcycling car cases into simple, yet practical, wooden sheds. Sunnyside then moved into the timber business and the second generation, Eric Breetvelt, took over the operation.

Eventually the rise of big box stores made the timber business unsustainable, so Kurt and his Dad started importing polycarbonate roofing, establishing Sunnyside Limited.

Today, Kurt runs the operation under the watchful eye of his son, Devon and with the occasional hand from his Dad.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

We also like to give back to our local community.

Back in the day, both my Father and Grandfather worked with the Samoan community and the elderly.

Today, I’m actively involved on the board of What Hope, a charity that engages and inspires the youth of South Auckland through various programs, activities and outings.

We're also proud to partner with UpstreamNZ and their mission of strengthening the well-being of local young people in NZ communities.