The Last Makers

A conversation celebrating the people, craft and manufacturing behind New Zealand-made design.

For this episode of Last Makers, we go behind the new collection to explore what it means to design and manufacture in New Zealand and why keeping production here matters.

We shine a spotlight on the makers behind the designs: the craftspeople, manufacturers and skilled hands who bring ideas from concept to reality. From the decisions made in the studio to the work happening on the factory floor, the episode explores the knowledge, skill and commitment required to keep quality manufacturing alive in Aotearoa.

It’s a conversation about making here, investing here and keeping New Zealand manufacturing in New Zealand, while celebrating the people who make it possible.

Design. Craft. Manufacturing. People.
Made in New Zealand.

Bill Willis — McKenzie & Willis

For more than a century, McKenzie & Willis has been woven into the fabric of New Zealand interiors. What began in 1906 as a business founded by Joseph Willis and R.S. McKenzie has evolved into one of Aotearoa’s leading interiors and home furnishing brands and today, that legacy is carried forward by the next generation.

Bill Willis, General Manager and family member of McKenzie & Willis, grew up surrounded by the business. As a child, the showrooms were his playground; as a teenager, he was driving the trade truck and delivering furniture around Christchurch. Today, alongside his cousin Tim Willis, Bill is helping shape the next chapter of a family business that has evolved across generations.

From navigating the changing face of retail and the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes, to expanding McKenzie & Willis across New Zealand and growing the business into a complete interiors experience, Bill brings a unique perspective on legacy, leadership, family business, design and the future of the New Zealand interiors industry.

Under Bill and Tim’s leadership, McKenzie & Willis has continued to expand its offering across furniture, homewares, beds, flooring, curtains, blinds and interior design, while building partnerships with some of New Zealand’s most respected design and furniture brands.

In this episode of The Last Makers, we explore what it really takes to build something that lasts — from growing up inside a 120-year-old family business to knowing when to evolve, protecting relationships within the industry, embracing technology and continuing to champion quality, service and beautiful design.

A conversation about legacy, evolution and what it means to build a business that can stand the test of time.

What does it take to build a business that lasts nearly 50 years?

In our very first episode of The Last Makers, David Shaw shares the honest story behind one of New Zealand's longest-standing furniture manufacturers. From taking risks before he felt ready to navigating economic uncertainty, changing design trends, and an ever-evolving industry, David reflects on the decisions that shaped both the business and the person he became.

This conversation is about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It's about resilience, backing yourself when the path isn't clear, and understanding that longevity isn't built on never failing—it's built on continuing to show up.

Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or simply navigating your own next chapter, David's wisdom is a reminder that courage isn't the absence of fear; it's choosing to move forward despite it.

This is where The Last Makers begins.