During those years, he and his friends have knocked out heaps of rat traps, food pantries, steps, shelves, stools, boxes and other items needed for community projects about the district.
One of his recent projects has been helping to build New Zealand’s 362nd Lilliput Library, now proudly installed outside The Next Chapter bookshop on Brownston St.
"I helped do the wood work — the groovy wood work," the retired marine engineer said.
"I have been a member since we opened and would have missed about four days in the two and a-half years. I love the camaraderie and working with wood and with a whole lot of different people," he said.
"I’ve done easily 10 [Lilliput Libraries], but this is the coolest," Mr Harvey said.
"It took about a year to build because we had to consult with a client, who had to consult with a client who had to consult with a client. Then someone went overseas and another got Covid.
"But actually, knocking it up didn’t take much time. But you are developing something from nothing, it does sometimes take time. And it looks absolutely fantastic."
The installation is made of recycled materials, including timber, perspex and tent poles.
It now contains dozens of free books and French language texts in particular seem to be very popular at the moment, The Next Chapter owner Sally Battson said.
"Some people have thought perhaps from a commercial point of view it is not a very sensible thing to do, but it is about sharing the love for books and reading.
"It is all about community, sharing, and meeting a need for travellers. They would come into the shop asking if they can sell second-hand books because they like to leave one and take one, because they don’t want too much in their bag.
"That was something I did too, when I was travelling."
"Often, people will look at this and then come into the shop as well. And we are just delighted to be part of the Lilliput Library family. We are number 362 in New Zealand," Mrs Battson said.
Wānaka Community Trust chairman Gwillym Griffiths-Jones said there seemed to be an endless demand for members to make stuff.
"We are now working on big planting tables for Hāwea Flat School and a bunch of stuff for the Wānaka Show," Mr Griffiths-Jones said.
"Just when you think the blackboard is down to four jobs, it fills up again," Mr Harvey said.
