Craig Woolhouse

Craig Woolhouse is the latest Christchurch E-Business Consultant to join the Zeald.com team.

Craig’s business background started after he finished at Burnside High School in 1994. He decided his interests lay in technology and went on to study computing at Christchurch Polytech looking to obtain a Certificate in Business Computing. After 12 months of the 2 year course, Craig decided to get into the workforce so he could he put his studies on hold and went to work for a freight forwarder called International Cargo Express.

Craig worked in the export air division of the company specialising in the export of perishable product, an important and time sensitive activity in which he co-ordinated with the shippers, airlines, customs, MAF etc... "It wasn't your average job" says Craig, "nobody told the fish to only get caught on business hours and not weekends!"

With Craig's background in computers he became their goto guy for any IT questions. "I was learning more on the spot in 2 months having to fix/install/maintain something than I did at 12 months at Tech," says Craig.

After successfully implementing the Windows- based environment, Craig again was further challenged when the company opened a branch in Auckland and he was given only 3 weeks to have the system running. "The most exciting thing for the staff was that we would have Thursday evening gaming sessions in which we played "Doom and Starcraft" over the network, not really the goal of the Company but it got me a few brownie points with the staff! " Craig confesses to still playing online games, "when the time allows it."

Craig left Christchurch for Perth to live with his brother and to look at working in an IT role. "I had the practical experience, but unless you had completed an Australian approved qualification you couldn't even get your foot in the door," says Craig.

His brother was working for himself as a Private Investigator so Craig started to tag-along on the different parts of the job. "We did Car-Repo's, surveillance, document serving, and the best part is I got to see so much of Perth and surrounding towns, as we were in the car 12 hours a day." Not all of it was fun, Craig had his experiences in dealing with some not so nice individuals and had to learn how to deal with situations that were tense and potentially dangerous. But Craig recalls that not every day was like that and most were very non-eventful.

Returning to Christchurch 6 months later, Craig decided to work for himself as an IT/Business consultant. "I had learned that while I had an IT background I was also from the business sector and could understand the business mentality and the IT mentality."

Craig sourced 3rd party help in each area of IT so he could become the one contact and could engage the services of whoever he choose depending on the requirements of his clients.

At the same time Craig would spend a few days a week in Dunedin where he was helping manage a crayfish quota. Craig's previous experience in the perishable logistics proved very useful and enabled him to solve the many problems as they arose. "I did everything from going out on the boats with the fisherman to selling the fish to overseas markets, not to mention having crayfish for tea every night."

Craig then decided to have a break from office work and try something completely different. Having always had a love for good food, Craig decided to become a chef. After spending 12 months at Christchurch Polytechnic he now has the "London and City Guilds" qualification. Craig then worked at the Grand Cafe' at the Christchurch Casino for 12 months. "It was genuinely hard work and whilst I enjoyed the creative process associated with being a chef, it was really not for me."

Although not surprisingly, he is always the first mate to be invited on fishing trips. "My favorite fish recipe is Seafood Chowder, using blue cod, green-lipped mussels and of course Marlborough scallops!"


Craig was thinking of returning to Perth and had landed a job interview, the only problem being he was still in Christchurch. "I called them up and was trying to arrange a video conference. I felt that they were not geared up for this and that my opportunity to get an interview could be lost so I jumped on a plane and flew 12 hours to Perth, had the interview and flew home."
Obviously good tactics as Craig got the job. Being the only Kiwi in the office he put up with a lot of good natured banter. "I realize now that inventing Kiwi sheep jokes must be a pasttime for the Aussies - maybe if they spent more time practicing rugby..."

Craig looked forward to the day that the Canterbury Crusaders were playing Western Australia's new team, the Western Force. Rugby had been a big part in Craig's upbringing. His father had played for Canterbury in the 70's and had featured in many Ranfurly Shield Matches.
Both Craig's brothers lived in Perth, they had been there so long that they consider their team to be the "Western Force" and of course Craig's was the "Canterbury Crusaders" When the two teams finally played in Perth the result was a draw! “That very diplomatic result meant there were no fights on the way home," says Craig

Craig was now living in Fremantle and as well as enjoying the 25 degree days in winter he managed a bit of fishing. "Not your average fishing trip" says Craig, "we traveled 14 hours to Shark Bay towing a large boat - if that had been New Zealand we would have run out of road, and Shark Bay wasn't called Shark Bay for no reason!" Craig has stories of Tiger Sharks circling the boat.

After another year Craig was starting to get homesick. "Being surrounded by sand and desert I craved to see some mountains and greenery again," recalls Craig. But he didn't want to give up on Australia straight away so he and his partner packed up and moved to Melbourne.

Craig worked for an Italian freight forwarder company called Gava International where his role was to help clients arrange the transportation of goods from their suppliers’ door to their own. Working in a smaller office Craig enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and enjoyed his 10 months there before returning to New Zealand.

Craig enjoys basketball, a sport he has played every year since High School. He still trains every week and while he confesses the trainings are always finished with a pint of beer he still makes an effort to keep fit.

Craig also has a hobby in video editing. "I am slowly learning and wouldn't call myself that good, however I am becoming a good amateur and I really enjoy it. Maybe one day I will have my own YouTube audience!"

Craig lives in St Albans, Christchurch with his partner Joanne and their two Burmese Cats called Toby and Bottletop who rule the household.
Craig brings to Zeald.com a myriad of different skills and an understanding of the online world. "I enjoy talking to people about their business goals and advising them how to succeed online. It’s a very positive process and I can't help but feel passionate about this, it is the future of marketing and the future is now..."

Contact me

Phone. 021 240 0767
Email.