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A U G U S T– S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 6

IT TAKES A TEAM Winning company culture at Optiplumb 2026 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year PAGE 42

THE TRON TURNS IT ON!

PROMISES, PROMISES

Mighty moments from Conference 2026

Pre-election party views on industry issues

PAGE 16

PAGE 28

KITCHEN & BATHROOM TECHNOLOGIES

Innovation for installers PAGE 59

A few words EDITOR

Volume 78, Number 4 MAGAZINE TEAM CEO Greg Wallace EDITOR Beverly Sellers 0272 923 923 bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz PRINT Blue Star 33 Jackson Street, Petone, Wellington DESIGN SCG Senior Designer – Julian Pettitt SCG Senior Account Director – LauraGrace McFarland scg.net.nz SUBSCRIPTIONS NZ Plumber is published six times a year by Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ. Members receive all six editions. If you wish to opt out, please email admin@masterplumbers.org.nz To order an annual subscription, go to www.masterplumbers.org.nz MAILING LIST For enquiries, or to update your details: admin@masterplumbers.org.nz Non-Master Plumbers’ members with address detail changes should notify the PGD Board direct, giving their registration number: registration@pgdb.co.nz TO ADVERTISE advertising@masterplumbers.org.nz

NZ Plumber is the official magazine of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Inc. Contact details for the Master Plumbers board, staff, branches and associations are available at www.masterplumbers.org.nz ©NZ Plumber 2013. Registered as a Newspaper, GPO, Wellington, ISSN 0111-4379. NZ Plumber is subject to copyright in its entirety. The contents may not be reproduced in any form, either in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved in material accepted for publication, unless initially specified otherwise. All letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled ‘Not for Publication’. Views expressed in articles in NZ Plumber magazine are not necessarily those of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Inc, or of the Editor. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this publication, the publisher and the Editor take no responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences of reliance on this information. Publication of advertising material implies no endorsement of either a product or service.

Air of optimism Our industry is in good heart if this year’s conference is anything to go by. The last few years have not been easy for business. It would have been fair to expect a muted mood in Hamilton for the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Conference—but far from it. The resilience of our industry was reflected in the relaxed, upbeat atmosphere, and keynote speaker Sam Stubbs’ positive take on the future for New Zealand only served to elevate it. Turn to page 16 for an overview of the event and I’m sure you’ll catch the vibe, even if you weren’t able to make it along. There’s no denying the community spirit among the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry participants who come together for this annual event and accompanying awards night. I enjoyed the chance to catch up with Duncan Leask of 2026 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year award-winning company Optiplumb. He provided a real sense of what it takes to navigate a business through economic highs and lows—and the importance of building strong, genuine relationships with team members, trusted customers, and the wider Master Plumbers membership. Turn to page 42 to discover more about Duncan’s approach to successful business leadership. We also take a look at the story behind this year’s Kava Cup Award for the

Waikato Master Plumbers on page 54. In an excellent example of goodwill, branch members got together to help transform a dilapidated WWII munitions factory building into a vibrant woodworking hub for the local community to enjoy. As New Zealand approaches another General Election, Master Plumbers surveyed the major political parties for their views on significant industry issues, including business operational cost pressures, workforce shortages, and the transition to lower emissions technologies. Their responses can be found in our feature article, starting on page 28. Finally, a big thanks to all those who have shared their valuable know-how in this edition’s kitchen and bathroom technical theme. The new online hot water running costs calculator from EECA in partnership with Master Plumbers is an easy way to compare running costs of different system options with your customers in a matter of seconds.

Beverly Sellers Editor, NZ Plumber bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz

This publication uses vegetable based inks and environmentally responsible paper produced from Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified, Mixed Source pulp from Responsible Sources.

Paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System.

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CONTENTS A U G U S T– S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 6

28 7 WHAT’S UP

Building defects

Updates

Peachy plumbing

Major changes coming for building work liability This edition’s industry news round-up A new children’s book to inspire future plumbers!

14 02

A prize-winning peach of a fireplace install

Calendar Training, events and celebrations for your diary

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16 CONFERENCE 2026

Good times in the Tron

A year of consolidation

20 22 24

Highlights from Hamilton

28 28

Pre-election promises Views from the key political parties on issues facing our industry

Photo gallery from an event to remember

Showcasing excellence Why the trade show was a stand-out

Star performers Discover all the deserving winners at the 2026 NZ Plumbing Awards

MASTER PLUMBERS

35 36

Member benefit Launching the Toby pilot

Bulletin New Board member Jacob Smith, membership milestones, and a tribute to Brian Foley

ON THE COVER

Keeping it honest Why company culture is all-important at Optiplumb, 2026 NZ Master Plumber of the Year

FEATURES

Looking back on 2025 at the Master Plumbers AGM

Friendship and fun

42 46 50

Masterlink messageboard Congratulating Masterlink winners and a chat with Bob McCoy on his retirement

Platinum Partner profile Marley provides a PVC recycling update

ON THE TOOLS

Warm it up How a quick prework warm up can help prevent injuries

From war work to woodwork Waikato Master Plumbers help transform a WWII munitions building into a woodworking hub

TECHNICAL THEME KITCHEN & BATHROOM TECHNOLOGIES

Hot water calculator New online tool to help with hot water conversations

The smallest valve on site And why it has a big impact

Choosing the right shower tray A practical guide for installers

10 years of Voda

Specifying for social housing

Catching up with Voda as this NZ-owned tapware brand marks a decade

Durable technologies for demanding usage

Fixed speed vs variable speed pumps Which is the right choice for the job?

78 80 81

83 84

Latest innovations for our industry

BUSINESS SMARTS

CAREER STARTERS

Products & services

Methven celebrates 140 years Where it all began for this plumbing industry innovator

“PGD ticked all the boxes” Meet new ARG member Jaimee Cartwright

Every day is a great day How a positive workplace culture has contributed to this year’s James Douglas Medallion winner's success

AND FINALLY...

89 92

10 minutes with... West Coast drainlayer and 2025 superbike champion Luke Ryder

Dodgy plumbing All the fails

Off to great places One Mac McKenzie Trust Award winner’s conference experience

Skilled migrant visa changes More changes made to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

Staying on top of tax IR has three trades business case studies

Five common HR mistakes And how to avoid them...

Don’t let complacency catch you out The health & safety risks of routine work

ON THE COVER This magazine is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing, within one month of publication, to the editor’s email address. If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council PO Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143; info@mediacouncil.org.nz. Or use the online complaint form at www.mediacouncil.org.nz Please include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication.

Scan to read NZ Plumber online!

Acknowledged in June as the 2026 New Zealand Plumber of the Year, Hamilton-based Optiplumb was started just five years ago by Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter & Drainlayer Duncan Leask. In that time, it has grown to a 16-staff team, focusing on maintenance and renovations. Respect and integrity lie at the heart of all they do, with an internal focus on open communication, transparency and a strong team culture. Read more about Optiplumb’s approach to business on page 42. Cover photograph: Mark Hamilton Photography

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CEO’S REPORT

Joining Duncan Leask in celebrating Optiplumb’s 2026 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award.

I’d like to start by thanking all the attendees at the Master Plumbers Conference in the mighty Waikato. We had an outstanding three days and great attendance from across the motu. A personal highlight was listening to our wonderful range of guest speakers, including Dr Lucy Hone talking about resilience, Sam Stubbs on the opportunities for New Zealand, and Ronnie Tan, founder of CreditWorks, on sensible debt risk management and how some simple tools can protect your business. At the conference, we were pleased to announce that, after 13 months of toil, we have finally launched our purpose-built Toby AI tool, which gives our members over 4,000 pages of relevant building code and standards at their fingertips, whether on site, in the office or in the ute. This is a complete game changer for tradespeople and apprentices, and we were very proud to hear former Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk’s support for the adoption of AI technology in the construction industry. EECA also presented their new hot water calculator at the conference. This is a great tool, because its comprehensive locationbased information means members can get true, evidence-based running cost savings. They provide more information on the calculator in this edition. I’d like to congratulate Duncan Leask at Optiplumb in Hamilton for taking out the coveted New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award at the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Awards. Duncan and his team

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are an outstanding example of a modern company that has evolved and grown significantly over the last five years. His approach to team culture is something to be proud of. I also want to acknowledge James Douglas Medallion winner Rhys Kimber. It’s always a high point for me to see outstanding apprentices get up on stage in front of their industry peers and speak so well, acknowledging not only their families but also the companies that have turned them into outstanding young tradespeople.

“With the Election coming up, we've spent some time asking political parties for their views on issues where we're looking to gain traction.”

The new Master Plumbers Board appointments were announced at this year’s AGM. Congratulations to Jon Lewis for his reappointment and to new Board member Jacob Smith from Waikato. I’d also like to congratulate new Board Intern Rhiannon Jarvis. With the Election coming up at the end of the year, we’ve spent some time asking political parties for their views on issues where we’re looking to gain traction. Turn to page 28 to read their responses.

In advocacy projects, we have now made two submissions on the proposed changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act. The revised Act is expected to come into effect in April 2027. In simple terms, the changes to the Act will mean less paperwork for businesses with 20 or fewer staff. Rather than micromanaging every minor event, there will be more focus on critical risk. The PGD Board have now consulted on the details for the self-certification scheme for plumbers and drainlayers. We have highlighted some key areas that need to be addressed, the most important being to ensure current supervision rules align with the new scheme. There is also consultation on proposals to replace the joint and several liability model with proportionate liability, which would require home warranties for any renovation or building work over $100,000. On a sad note, I’d like to acknowledge the passing of Brian Foley MNZM. Brian served on the National Executive of Master Plumbers for 20 years and on the Otago Master Plumbers Executive, including a term as National President in 1996-97. He was awarded Life Membership of the Otago Master Plumbers and, in 2021, received the rare honour of National Life Membership. Brian continued to work part-time at Foleys into his eighties and remained engaged with Master Plumbers, enquiring about advocacy projects and the membership. He had a great passion for Otago and grew the Foley’s business established by his father, which has gone from strength to strength. Our condolences to Brian’s son Craig and the wider Foley’s team. Finally, I’d like to give special mention to Dave Strong. Dave’s nomination by the Waikato Branch to be awarded National Life Membership of Master Plumbers received unanimous support at the AGM. Dave was on the Board of Master Plumbers for 17 years, and has been a huge advocate for Masterlink and improved apprenticeship training. He cares deeply about Master Plumbers, our advocacy work, and the value we provide to the wider PGD industry. Dave is an absolute champion of Master Plumbers, and this recognition is hugely deserved for his care, passion and longterm commitment to the industry. Greg Wallace, CEO Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ

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INDUSTRY NEWS

MAJOR CHANGES COMING FOR BUILDING WORK LIABILITY

What’s up

Public consultation is open until 15 November on the Building Amendment Bill.

Home warranties will be required for works worth $100,000 or more under government proposals to move to proportionate liability for building defects.

Changes to New Zealand’s building system continue apace, with a significant reform now underway. When passed, the Building Amendment Bill will see liability settings for building work defects shift from joint and several liability to proportionate liability. This will make parties involved in building projects responsible for their share of the work and any loss they contributed to. Currently, the last man standing, often the council, can potentially be held liable for the full cost of defects. Consumer safeguards will include: Mandatory professional indemnity insurance for building design professionals and engineers who contribute to the building’s design Mandatory one-year home warranties for most new builds and major renovations worth $100,000 or more (inc GST) New offences to deter non-compliance. Other building system changes in the bill include: Improving consistency across NZ’s 69 Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) by enabling voluntary consolidation of BCA functions

Reducing PIM processing times (see over the page) Introducing a fast-track 10-working-day building consent pathway for new residential buildings with solar generation or other sustainable features Combining the Building Research Levy with the Building Levy and introducing a more contestable funding model. A recent survey by Combined Building Suppliers (CBS) Co-operative showed two-thirds of industry respondents, many of them sole traders or small businesses, are concerned about the cost of purchasing home warranty products. CBS Chief Executive Carl Taylor says, while the organisation supports the reforms, which would see greater consumer protection, it is concerned about the lack of players in the market offering home warranty products. With the detail of the scheme still to be released, it is not yet confirmed if subcontractors, like plumbers, will also need home warranties for work over $100,000. Public consultation on the bill is open until 15 November. Master Plumbers will be making a submission on behalf of members.

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WITH THE GENERAL ELECTION COMING UP IN NOVEMBER, REFORMS ARE BEING PUSHED THROUGH AND POLICIES RELEASED RELATING TO THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR.

If re-elected, National says it will offer a Home Energy Fund to encourage uptake of solar power.

National to reward households that go solar National says, if re-elected, it will offer low-interest, long-term loans repaid through rates to encourage households to invest in solar, batteries, heat pumps, insulation, and other home energy upgrades without big upfront costs. Currently, only 3% of Kiwi households have solar power, compared with about 9% in the United States and one in three in Australia.

In addition to this Home Energy Fund, National says it will also remove planning rules that can make it hard for New Zealanders to generate their own power. National’s RMA Reform spokesperson Chris Bishop says small-scale renewables would be largely permitted as of right under the new Resource Management system, including the ability to install rooftop solar without the need for a consent.

PIM APPLICATION PROCESSING TIMEFRAME TO BE HALVED The Government is to reduce the processing timeframe for all PIM (Project Information Memorandum) applications from 20 working days to 10, to allow building work to get underway more quickly. PIMs give homeowners and builders more certainty about site-specific requirements,

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such as natural hazards and infrastructure constraints, before a building consent is requested and construction begins. The current system can also undermine competition in the building consent market, with private Building Consent Authorities required to obtain

PIMs from councils before they can progress work. The Government says a strong incentive is needed for councils to process applications promptly. The proposed change is part of the Building Amendment Bill, now working its way through Parliament.

What’s up INDUSTRY NEWS

TE ARA WĀHINE 2026 EVENT SUPPORTING WOMEN IN TRADES BUSINESSES Te Ara Wāhine provides an opportunity for women working in business across the trades, infrastructure and engineering sectors to come together. Over three days in Rotorua this October, attendees will have the chance to hear from guest speakers, participate in workshops and build relationships with like-minded women. With topics ranging from finance, HR, governance, insurance and mental health and wellbeing, the event combines work, networking and fun, and aims to empower wāhine to strengthen their impact within their workplaces, whanau and communities. The 2026 event is being held at the Millennium Hotel in Rotorua from 14-16 October. Visit hpce.co.nz/taw2026 to register. Women working in trades businesses are invited to the Te Ara Wahine event in October.

Businesses will need to identify the critical risks in their day-today work.

FOCUS ON CRITICAL RISK UNDER AMENDED HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ACT Changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act will come into effect on 1 April 2027. The changes aim to focus the health and safety system on ‘critical risk’—in other words, the risks likely to cause the most serious harm. Businesses with fewer than 20 workers will be required to manage critical risks and to prioritise critical risk. Larger businesses must manage all risks but prioritise those that are critical. All businesses will need to identify critical risks, based on what they should reasonably know about their work. Other changes include: Providing clarity on the injuries and illnesses that must be notified to WorkSafe Prioritising certain functions for regulators like WorkSafe, such as providing guidance, developing and reviewing approved codes of practice (ACOPs), and developing Safe Work Instruments Setting out that where a business follows an ACOP, it is taken to have complied with the Act. WorkSafe says it will roll out guidance, training and support material ahead of the changes coming into force.

LABOUR COMMITS TO EXTENDING APPRENTICESHIP BOOST

Labour is promising to extend Apprenticeship Boost funding for employers from one year to two.

Among the policy plans being released by Labour ahead of the Election is a promise to extend the Apprenticeship Boost from one year to two, with a monthly payment of $500 a month for employers who train apprentices. This would take effect on 1 July 2028. Labour says it would also provide new apprentices with a $1,000 toolbox grant to cover the cost of getting started— including tools, kit, uniform and course materials—from 1 July 2027. nzplumber

SELWYN DISTRICT COUNCIL EXPANDS PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME

CONSTRUCTION TO BECOME ONE OF NINE NEW INDUSTRY-LED SECONDARY SCHOOL SUBJECTS

Selwyn District Council has expanded its Professional Partnership Programme (PPP) to include preline plumbing inspections. The PPP recognises experienced, trusted industry professionals. It supports a collaborative approach to simplifying processes for compliant building work, while still maintaining high standards. Following positive results in drainlaying, the Council is expanding the PPP to include preline plumbing work. This gives plumbing businesses the opportunity to become recognised construction partners and support efficient, high-quality building projects across Selwyn. Preline plumbing is a key stage of the construction process. By bringing experienced plumbers into the programme, the Council aims to strengthen collaboration between Council and the plumbing industry and improve inspection efficiency and project timeframes. The PPP offers benefits for businesses who can demonstrate good quality systems, the right technical expertise and a strong compliance record. The Council encourages Master Plumbers members interested in becoming part of the Professional Partnership Programme to explore the opportunity and discuss their eligibility with the Council. For more information, visit www.selwyn.govt.nz/ property-And-building/building/professionalpartnership-programme-ppp or contact the Council’s Building Team.

Development is underway for a new Construction & Built Environment industry-led subject for New Zealand's senior secondary curriculum. One of nine new industry-led subjects, it will give students a practical understanding of how our built environment is designed, constructed and maintained, while increasing skills in technical literacy, health and safety, sustainability and problem-solving. It will also introduce students to the range of pathways across construction and specialist trades—from employment and apprenticeships to certificates, diplomas and degree-level study. The nine subjects are being developed and consulted on by the Ministry of Education in partnership with Industry Skills Boards (ISBs). These include the Construction and Specialist Trades ISB, of which Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace is a ministerially appointed member. "We’re encouraged to see greater recognition of the skills, opportunities and rewarding careers available across the construction industry," he says. "Changing perceptions starts with creating greater awareness of the pathways available, and this is a positive step in that direction." The new subjects are expected to be introduced to Year 12 students from 2029. Stay up with progress for the Construction and Built Environment industryled subject at cstisb.nz/ industry-led-subjects

WORKPLACE INJURIES COSTING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY $422M IN LOST PRODUCTIVITY Over one million days of weekly compensation were paid by ACC within the construction industry during 2025, at a cost of $422 million in lost productivity. In its Injuries in New Zealand 2025 report, released in June, ACC notes the immediate impact on businesses when people are injured at work, placing pressure on workforce capacity, business continuity, and organisational performance. Strains and sprains, slips, trips and falls, and vehicle-related incidents remain the leading cause of injury at work. When construction industry workers are injured, projects slow or stall, with the time lost equating to building 2,500 new homes, according to the report. In 2025, the number of construction

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fatalities in New Zealand was over four times higher than in Australia and over seven times higher than in the UK. Each year, ACC supports a total of over two million injury claims—at home, work or play, and on the road. In 2025 alone, total injuries led to more than 20 million days away from work and an estimated $8.7 billion in lost economic output. Weekly compensation is the biggest cost to the scheme, due to people staying on it for longer. The impact of injury in 2025 was equivalent to 57,000 people being out of work for a full year—or the whole population of Palmerston North. Read the report in full at www.acc. co.nz/about-us/corporate-documents/ injuries-in-nz

Injuries in New Zealand Insights from 2025: How we’re getting hurt and how you can make a difference

Strains, sprains, trips, falls, and vehicle-related incidents are the leading cause of injury at work.

What’s up INDUSTRY NEWS

Snippets to raise a smile. DMI Plumbing deserve a big shout out for getting behind Jammies for June in 2026. The team collected two generous bags of PJs and beautiful knitted items from members of their community for the campaign, which is run by Middlemore Foundation and Wellington Hospitals Foundation, with Dame Valerie Adams as the face of the Jammie Army. This year’s aim was to collect 25,000 pairs of PJs for 25,000 tamariki coming through the doors of the Kidz First Children’s Hospital in South Auckland and three Wellington hospitals, so they’d go home wrapped in warmth. DMI Plumbing thanked their community on their Facebook page with this lovely message: “We’re so grateful that so many children and babies will be snuggly this winter because of your kindness.” Find out more about the cause at jammiesforjune.org.nz

Julian and Shannon Parker were expecting their first child in 2023 and started looking for books to buy. Julian, who runs 100% Plumbing & Gas in Rotorua, noticed there weren’t many about construction trades and couldn’t find a single one about plumbing—so he decided to write one himself! The result is The Big Leak, which took three years from start to finish, including a year for the illustrations by Ben Bartels of Never You Mind Studios. Ben fitted them in around other work, which has included the 100% Plumbing & Gas logo for the company’s work uniforms. Julian and Shannon now have two boys and say it’s really cool to finally have the book in their hands to read to them. They’ve had plenty of positive feedback from other plumbers too, who’ve said they love being able to show their kids some of the things they do at work. To get hold of a copy for $25+postage, head to https://100apparel.nz or email admin@100percentplumbing.co.nz

Jack Tame’s Saturday Morning slot on Newstalk ZB recently included mention of an AI powered self-driving toilet. Unveiled by Chinese company Yueban at an international expo for elderly and assisted care, it looks much like a normal toilet but has wheels to drive to you on command using a suite of sensors. Expected to sell for at least $4,500 USD if and when it passes regulatory checks, it has a built-in bidet, sealed odour control, and self-cleaning bowl. After use, it returns to its plumbing connected docking station or can empty its tank into the existing bathroom toilet with a robotic arm. nzplumber

What’s up PEACHY PLUMBING

Peach of a job! Another great example of some high-quality workmanship... keep ’em coming This is your chance to highlight some great work by you and your team—and share the enjoyment of a job well done! Thanks to this edition’s winner Jared Wood of Bio Flow Plumbing and Gas for submitting this photo of a recent fireplace installation. “It’s a bit of a unique install, as the fireplace is in front of the doors,” says Jared. “A car hit the house at high speed, and the old fire was a write off. The side of the house was also rebuilt. One of the doors is fixed closed, with only the right door opening.”

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BE IN TO WIN! Got a photo of some great work done by your team? Send it to the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz If your photo is featured in the next edition, you win a prize-winning pack from Soudal!

American Standard toilets combine Double Vortex™ flushing technology with a truly rimless bowl design, delivering powerful and efficient bowl coverage while eliminating hard-to-reach areas. EasyAmerican Standard toilets combine Double Vortex™ flushing technology with a truly rimless bowl release seats and streamlined skirted designs also help make routine cleaning and maintenance faster American Standard toiletsand combine Double technology with a truly rimless design, delivering powerful efficient bowlVortex™ coverageflushing while eliminating hard-to-reach areas. bowl Easyand more convenient. American Standard toiletsand combine Double technology with a truly rimless design, delivering powerful efficient bowlVortex™ coverage whileroutine eliminating hard-to-reach areas. bowl Easyrelease seats and streamlined skirted designs also help flushing make cleaning and maintenance faster design,seats delivering powerful and efficient bowl coverage whileroutine eliminating hard-to-reach areas. Easyrelease and streamlined skirted designs also help make cleaning and maintenance faster and more convenient. release seats and streamlined skirted designs also help make routine cleaning and maintenance faster and more convenient. and more convenient.

What’s up INDUSTRY NEWS

TRAINING & EVENTS Book now for upcoming events in the months ahead!

BACKFLOW PREVENTION COURSE

BACKFLOW PREVENTION REFRESHER COURSE

7-10 SEPT – CHRISTCHURCH 12-15 OCT – WHANGAREI 9-12 NOV – LOWER HUTT

4 SEPT – CHRISTCHURCH 13 NOV – LOWER HUTT

www.masterplumbers.org.nz/training

SOUTHERN BRANCHES AWARDS EVENING, FEATURING MAC MCKENZIE TRUST AWARDS

WAIKATO MASTER PLUMBERS AWARDS NIGHT 2026

11 SEPT – QUEENSTOWN

25 SEPT – HAMILTON

www.masterplumbers.org.nz/events

SAVE THE DATE!

AUCKLAND & NORTHLAND MASTER PLUMBERS AWARDS NIGHT 2026

YOUNG PLUMBER OF THE YEAR NATIONAL FINAL 2026

TE ARA WĀHINE – WOMEN IN TRADE, WOMEN IN BUSINESS

2 OCT – AUCKLAND

14 OCT – HAMILTON

14-16 OCT – ROTORUA

www.masterplumbers.org.nz/events

www.ypc.co.nz

www.hpce.co.nz/taw2026

For upcoming Master Plumbers training and events in 2026, go to www.masterplumbers.org.nz/events 14

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Keynote speaker Dr Lucy Hone stayed on for book signings and to chat with conference attendees.

2026 Conference

GOOD TIMES IN THE TRON

Claudelands was abuzz in June, as the PGD community came together to connect, share, and enjoy each other’s company at the 2026 NZ Plumbing Conference.

PHOTOGRAPHY: RAINWATER PICTURES

orrential rain didn’t stop play at Claudelands, which saw more than 300 Master Plumbers members, staff, partners, sponsors and exhibitors join this year’s awesome conference action from 24-26 June. With more than 50 trade stands in the exhibition hall, there was plenty of innovation on show—and some fantastic prizes to be won. The first day included the Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ AGM, followed by a packed CPD session— the first of the year—delivered by the PGD Board. Conference participants gathered in the evening to enjoy food, drinks and companionship at the Mico and Iplex Welcome Night. Held in the fabulous new Waikato University Te Āhurutanga meeting space, the evening opened with a powerful kapa haka. Daytime presentations on the Thursday included guest speaker Dr Lucy Hone. We all face difficult times in our lives, and the audience came away with some practical coping strategies and resilience insights, learned through her extensive research and personal experience.

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Other sessions covered a broad range of topics, from energy security to apprentice training, succession planning and ways to help your business manage risk. In the evening, it was off to the Grassroots Trust Velodrome for an incredible ‘Fast Times in the Tron’ themed Marley Fun Night Dinner. Friday’s guest speaker Sam Stubbs of Simplicity created a mood of optimism among the audience with his highly positive outlook for New Zealand’s future. Former Building and Construction Minister Hon Chris Penk was also among the day’s speakers, giving a brief outline of steps taken to date to make the building consent system more efficient before taking questions from the floor. Nik McIntosh’s presentation on how to price jobs right captured the interest of the business owners in the audience, with strong registrations for his handson workshop in the afternoon. The day ended in celebratory style with the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Awards—discover all the winners on page 24.

Daytime sessions garnered plenty of interest, including this one on succession planning from Lou Joblin and Chelcie Kite of Moran Law with Brent Cunningham and Theo Davidson of Cunningham Plumbing.

2026 Conference OVERVIEW

Sam Stubbs of Simplicity had a highly positive view on New Zealand’s future in his keynote speaker presentation.

Heading into Claudelands for the first full day of conference.

Creditworks Founder Ronnie Tan gave practical advice on how to protect cashflow. Plumbing business owners from around New Zealand were there to learn, connect and enjoy.

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A YEAR OF CONSOLIDATION A

During a year of economic uncertainty, Master Plumbers continued to advocate for our industry and enhance the support available to members.

s for many among its membership, 2025 was a challenging year for Master Plumbers. However, as CEO Greg Wallace noted in his AGM report, the organisation’s foundations are in good shape and conditions are improving. The year saw Master Plumbers reaping the benefits of investment into technological updates, including a new website with enhanced opportunities for member engagement. Master Plumbers also began developing an organisational approach to AI, with a focus on providing practical tools that deliver real value to members. “2025 was a year of recovery and consolidation, and we delivered what we set out to do,” noted Greg. “The digital investment is now complete, and our advocacy progress on issues that matter has been strong and robust.” Master Plumbers welcomed the recognition of specialist trades within the new Construction and Specialist Trades Industry Skills Board and considers the rollout of the new Level 4

PGD apprenticeship programmes to be a positive development. “The increased emphasis on workplacebased assessment better reflects how apprentices learn and develop competence,” noted Greg. “We continue to encourage members to engage with training providers and support apprentices through this updated model.” In his President’s report, Grayson Allen said a significant focus for the Board over the past year had been exploring the potential for Master Plumbers to establish its own private training establishment. This would give our industry far greater ownership over training outcomes and vocational direction for plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying, he noted. “Retaining and developing skilled people remains one of the biggest challenges ahead for member businesses,” said Grayson. “The loss of trained tradespeople to other industries and overseas is a pressure that is not going to go away. Investing in training is how you protect your business.”

Craig Foley presenting the Report of the Directors at the 2026 Master Plumbers AGM in his final year as Chair.

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Although 2025 had not been easy, Masterlink Chair Sam Tyson said the group apprentice training company had evolved to become stronger, smarter, and better positioned for the future. “Confidence has been mixed across different regions, and like many businesses in this room, Masterlink has had to adapt to a changing environment,” said Sam. “But what I’m most proud of is that, while we were dealing with these challenges, we didn’t stand still. “We used the year to strengthen the business, and a huge amount of work was done by the Masterlink team. We streamlined our operations, improved our systems, embraced new technology, and focused on becoming more efficient and resilient.” The new apprenticeship model creates opportunities for greater flexibility in training delivery, noted Sam. “This is an area where Masterlink is particularly well positioned. Our experience in workplace assessment, apprentice support, and pastoral care means we are well placed to help shape what good apprentice training looks like for the future.” Master Plumbers regional branches were represented by delegates at the AGM.

2026 Conference MASTER PLUMBERS AGM

MASTER PLUMBERS BOARD 2026-27

2026-27 Board Directors, from left: Grayson Allen, Jacob Smith, Jon Lewis, Felicity Caird, Ashley McIvor, Sam Tyson, Scot Pearce, and Board Intern Rhiannon Jarvis.

Directors on the Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Board for the 2026-27 term were announced at the AGM. They are: Felicity Caird (Chair) Grayson Allen

Jon Lewis Sam Tyson Scot Pearce

Ashley McIvor Jacob Smith

Craig Foley has retired after 13 years on the Board and was thanked at the 2026 NZ Plumbing Awards for his huge commitment to Master Plumbers, particularly for his long service as Board Chair since 2016.

“True Southern Man” Craig Foley was acknowledged on the awards night for his 13 years on the Master Plumbers Board, 10 of them providing a calm, steady hand on the rudder as Chair. New Chair Felicity Caird is shown here presenting Craig with his Certificate of Appreciation.

Outgoing director Nick Paris was also thanked at the AGM for his passion and enthusiasm during his three years on the board and gifted a kōhanga taonga pounamu from Master Plumbers in appreciation for his contribution. CEO Greg Wallace thanked all candidates who put themselves forward for election to the Board and congratulated successful nominees Jacob Smith and Jon Lewis, who has been re-elected for another term. The new Board Intern was announced as Rhiannon Jarvis of Jarvis Plumbing, Gas Works and Drainage in Lower Hutt. Independent Director Felicity Caird becomes the first woman in the 125-year history of Master Plumbers to become board Chair. Other roles were to be decided at the first board meeting after the AGM.

Nick Paris (left) being presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by Grayson Allen for his three year-term on the Board.

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FRIENDSHIP AND FUN A warm welcome awaits everyone who comes along to the annual NZ Plumbing Conference—and there’s always plenty to enjoy, as these photos show!

MICO AND IPLEX WELCOME NIGHT

What better way to kick off the 2026 NZ Plumbing Conference in Kirikiriroa Hamilton than the Mico and Iplex Welcome Night at Waikato University’s beautiful new Te Āhurutanga meeting space.

ed The Mico & Iplex Welcome Night open a. hak a kap l erfu pow a with

Plumbing practitioners, manufacturers and suppliers always welcome the opportunity to mix and mingle. 20

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Waikato University’s new Te A-hurutanga meeting space was the convivial venue for the evening’s entertainment.

Regular conference attendees and new faces alike enjoyed the chance to come together on the first night of conference.

2026 Conference PHOTO GALLERY

MARLEY FUN NIGHT DINNER Conference attendees fully embraced the ‘Fast Times in the Tron’ theme for this year’s Marley Fun Night, held at the world-class Grassroots Trust Velodrome. Guests were treated to a competition standard cycle race on arrival, before dining and dancing the night away.

Marley Bobsled team members getting snapped with a masked Aaron Jamieson in the photo booth.

Super Mario Bros Chris Ford, Martin Hamill and Campbell Roberts of MacDonald Industries.

Dave and Soroya McGall were the deserving winners of the best-dressed couple prize.

The Marley Fun Night at Trust Velodrome got un the Grassroots cycle race for the confer der way with a ence spectators.

Neon was the must-have on the night and everyone was rocking it.

The Stig, aka Jason Brown, was best-dressed male prize winner, accompanied by wife Kirstie.

Squid Game mastery from Advanced Plumbing HB team members. nzplumber

2026 Conference PHOTO GALLERY

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Afternoon activities included options to visit Hamilton Gardens and the Annah Stretton flagship store.

Sami Stretton The group enjoyed a presentation bylery. in the Curate @148 gal

Taking time for a little retail therapy in the store.

A fabulous afternoon was had by the group visiting the Annah Stretton Flagship Store, starting with a delicious lunch and coffee at Café Frock before a behind-thescenes tour. Annah’s daughter Sami Stretton shared the inspiring story of how Annah began in the early 1990s, and this was followed by a shopping spree and plenty of laughs. Thanks to Rhonda De Gouw in Christchurch for making the trip happen!

Rated among the top 3 things to do in New Zealand, Hamilton Gardens are made up of a collection of 18 different themes, from Italian Renaissance and Ancient Egyptian, to Tropical and Tudor. The conference group enjoyed a leisurely stroll and snapped some fun shots in the Surrealist Garden.

The 22

garden tour. assembled group heading into the

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Like Alice in Wonderland, Em MacMillan (left) and Tamara Allema smaller and smaller in the Surreal n got Garden.

2026 Conference EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS

SHOWCASING EXCELLENCE The trade show is a true highlight of the annual conference—and this year was no exception, with over 50 trade stands showcasing innovation and excellence across plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying and related services.

unning over the three days of the NZ Plumbing Conference, the trade show is an unmatched opportunity for engagement between suppliers and plumbing businesses around New Zealand.

There were more than 50 trade stands at this year’s event across bathroom and kitchenware, hot water and space heating, pipe systems, drainage technologies, tools, fleet services, insurance, apprentice training and more.

Scalextric competitive fun at the Greens stand.

Chatting in the coffee lounge.

WITHOUT WHOM...

The annual NZ Plumbing Conference relies on the support of the sponsors who make the event possible. Master Plumbers extends its sincere gratitude to the following key sponsors for the 2026 event: Plumbing World – NZ Plumbing Awards Night Dinner

In the Iplex ‘shower booth’ trying to catch tumbling prize vouchers.

Marley – Fun Night Dinner Mico & Iplex – Welcome Night Dinner Nero & Mico – Keynote Speaker Allproof Industries – Keynote Speaker Gallagher – Coffee Cart EarnLearn – Coffee Lounge Masterlink & Master Plumbers – Coffee Lounge Hydroflow – Water Bottles

ACKNOWLEDGING THIS YEAR’S EXHIBITORS All Controls Allproof Industries APD Apex Valves Aqualine Athena & Clearlite Bathrooms Bunnings Buteline Davey EarnLearn Firstgas Ford Gallagher Greens Tapware Hydroflow Iplex Kohler & Englefield Konnect Fastening Systems MacDonald Industries Marley Masterlink Master Plumbers Methven Caroma Mico Milwaukee Tool Mitsubishi Electric MM Brands Mobilcard Nero Plumbing World Rockgas Rheem Rinnai SFA New Zealand Skills Trades Training Soudal Stiebel Eltron Teletrac Navman United Supply Co. Warm NZ Watersmart

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STAR PERFORMERS Finalists and winners stepped up to the stage in front of a packed crowd at the celebratory 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Night this June.

New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award Recognising business excellence

AND THE WINNER IS... Optiplumb in Hamilton

hanks go to Plumbing World for sponsoring a truly glittering event to celebrate excellence across the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry. MC’d by television journalist Mike McRoberts, the evening included awards in nine categories for top New Zealand trades businesses, employees, apprentices, trainers, manufacturers and suppliers. Some long-standing Master Plumbers member businesses were also acknowledged with Membership Milestone Certificates, and there was special recognition for new National Life Member Dave Strong and retiring Board Chair Craig Foley.

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Duncan Leask and wife Zarna celebrating Optiplumb’s win of the 2026 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award. Read more about owner Duncan Leask and the Optiplumb team on page 42.

2026 Conference NZ PLUMBING AWARDS

Kava Cup

Recognising acts of goodwill by Master Plumbers branches for their communities

AND THE WINNER IS... Master Plumbers Waikato For their support of the Community Arts and Woodcraft Hub project. Discover more about this project on page 54.

Members from Waikato Master Plumbers enjoying their Kava Cup win!

Master Plumbers Business Partner of the Year Recognising the significant contribution Business Partners make to Master Plumbers, together helping create better industry outcomes

AND THE WINNER IS... Apex Valves Apex Valves has been a long-term industry supporter of Master Plumbers and recently launched their new stateof-the-art manufacturing, distribution and training facility.

Apex Valves General Manager Mark Gracie with the company’s Master Plumbers Business Partner of the Year trophy.

Mark Whitehead Training Leader of the Year

Recognising industry leadership in training apprentices and investing in employee development

AND THE WINNER IS...

Paul Stephens, Taumarunui Plumbing

New Zealand Employee Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer of the Year

Recognising excellence in the trade skills of an individual Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer

AND THE WINNER IS...

Ross Hanna, Foleys

Across his 49-year career, Paul Stephens’ mentorship has had a lasting impact on the next generation of plumbing and drainlaying professionals. A walking encyclopedia of technical knowledge, his dedication, enthusiasm, and genuine care for the industry are inspirational.

Combining technical competence with people leadership is Ross Hanna’s greatest strength. Ross has built his career from ground up, now overseeing 10 trade staff and two estimating project managers as a Contracts Manager for Foley’s in Canterbury.

Paul and Coral Stephens of Taumarunui Plumbing.

Ross Hanna with his wife Kirsty.

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Graeme Victor Smith Contribution to the Industry Award

Jackson Women in Plumbing Award

Recognising commitment to Master Plumbers, to the industry and to developing young and future plumbers

Recognising a woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry

AND THE WINNER IS... Selwyn Hikuroa

AND THE WINNER IS... Sarah Jamieson,

Certifying Plumber Selwyn Hikuroa has dedicated his long career to ensuring future generations have the skills and knowledge to succeed. Beyond his exceptional work as an educator here and in Australia, he has contributed widely to improving industry training standards and regulations, and is currently Deputy Chair of the Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board.

BOP Plumbing & Gas

Sarah Jamieson is an incredible advocate for women in the industry. With energy and drive, she works to elevate women in trades careers across governance, events and mentorship. A chartered accountant, Sarah is shareholder and CFO at BOP Plumbing & Gas. She is actively engaged with Master Plumbers, spearheading the Volcanic Plateau Awards Night. In 2025 she launched the Te Ara Wāhine Conference—a powerful space for women in the plumbing industry to connect, learn and share. Discover the next conference date on page 9.

Selwyn Hikuroa and his wife Evelyn (centre) with PGDB Chief Executive Aleyna Hall (left) and Amy Opperman of Wintec.

Graeme Victor Smith was Dux South Island Territory Manager for many years until motor neurone disease brought an end to his career 17 years ago. Graeme was unable to attend the event in person but sent a note of thanks to Master Plumbers for supporting the award and for all the special friendships he and his wife Leanne have made over the years through the organisation.

Outstanding Project Award SPECIAL COMMENDATION AWARDED TO…

Sarah Jamieson with Allproof team members, from left: Mike Fairweather, Ian Jackson MNZM, Adam Jackson and Alex McIntyre.

Product of the Year

Recognising the significant contribution by a company to product development

AND THE WINNER IS...

United Supply Co for the Quandify Water Grip

This special commendation was awarded in recognition of Rheem’s significant investment into New Zealand’s plumbing training. Their Innovation & Learning Centre represents genuine commitment to the future of our trades.

The Quandify Water Grip represents a new category of water protection, combining monitoring with simple, non-invasive installation. Water Grip detects leaks and provides real-time insights into a property’s water flow, temperature, and usage. Connected via WiFi, it sends instant alerts through a mobile app when abnormal activity is detected.

From left, Paul Watson, Mike Owens, Mark McCutcheon and Duane Rice of Rheem.

Andrew Sommerville and Tony Powley celebrating United Supply Co’s award win.

Rheem Innovation & Learning Centre

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2026 Conference NZ PLUMBING AWARDS

James Douglas Medallion

Plumbing World Scholarships

Recognising outstanding PGD apprentices, who have qualified in the previous year and passed their registration exams

Recognising Masterlink apprentices who have demonstrated diligence in their studies

AND THE FINALISTS AND WINNERS ARE:

AND THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ARE:

Eric Gruythuysen – Overall Winner Sam Baldwin – Finalist Rory Read – Finalist

Plumbing Finalist and Overall Winner

Rhys Kimber

Gasfitting Finalist

Apache Davidson Drainlaying Finalist

Oliver Hillson-Barratt Read more about overall winner Rhys Kimber on page 84.

Overall Plumbing World Scholarship winner Eric Gruythuysen with partner Stephanie Wearing.

Plumbing Finalist and Overall James Douglas Medallion Winner Rhys Kimber with his partner Jamie Parry.

Drainlaying Finalist Oliver Hillson-Barratt with Emma and Aaron Edmondston of Simply Plumbing in Christchurch.

Sam Baldwin with Julian Parker of 100% Plumbing & Gas in Rotorua.

Gasfitting Finalist Apache Davidson with team members from BOP Plumbing and Gas, including owners Aaron and Sarah Jamieson.

Rory Read of McIvor Plumbers & Gasfitters Wanaka with partner Rose Armstrong.

National Life Membership awarded to Dave Strong Dave Strong has been awarded Master Plumbers National Life Membership, following successful nomination by the Waikato Branch. Dave is Managing Director at long-standing member company Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas Services. He served on the Master Plumbers Board for 17 years—two as National President and 11 as Masterlink Chair—retiring from the Board in 2025.

Waikato member Jacob Smith spoke in support of Dave’s nomination at the Master Plumbers AGM, saying that Dave has always led with integrity, humility, and a genuine desire to shape Master Plumbers and the industry into a better environment for everyone. RIGHT: Dave Strong (right) with fellow Master Plumbers National Life Member Ray Galt.

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Master Plumbers surveyed all key political parties* ahead of the 2026 General Election to get their views on some of the big issues facing our industry. NZ Plumber reports on the responses, received in July.

* Note: Master Plumbers sought feedback from Te Pāti Māori but no response was received.

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Feature 2026 GENERAL ELECTION

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Q1. SKILLS SHORTAGE

New Zealand continues to face a significant plumbing workforce shortage. How will your party support plumbing businesses to attract, retain, and train staff and apprentices?

National recognises plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are critically important trades that are central to our plan to build more homes and grow the economy. Our approach is to back employers by reducing costs and compliance and investing in trades training. For plumbing businesses, that means a focus on on-job training and access to skilled labour where New Zealand cannot train enough people quickly enough. We also want businesses to spend less time on unnecessary compliance and more time on the tools.

Labour believes working people should be able to build a life for themselves here in New Zealand. That is why a Labour government will extend the Apprenticeship Boost to 2 years and provide each new learner with a oneoff toolbox grant of up to $1,000 to help employers attract, retain and train new apprentices while also helping those same apprentices overcome the initial barriers in the way of getting going.

The Green Party supports linking infrastructure planning with workforce planning, and would push for coordinated workforce development across plumbing, drainlaying, gasfitting, water and construction trades. We support more government-backed apprenticeships and training investment, particularly in water infrastructure, where the workforce must grow to address decades of underinvestment. As you note in your 2025 Annual Report, training must be high-quality, industryinformed, and fit for purpose.

ACT believes many Kiwis have been sold the ‘cap and gown’ dream from our

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schooling system, even when it does not suit them. We know many students have an affinity for the trades, but unfortunately, they are not shown pathways that lead to the workforce. Therefore, there are two areas that need to be addressed. The first is treating the trades as legitimate paths. It’s hard to change the entire culture of a system, but we can see other countries, such as Germany where half of school leavers enter vocational education, and learn from them with what to do—such as involving industry earlier in the education system. This Government has taken steps to put industry back in control, such as the disestablishment of the centralised Te Pūkenga model in favour of an independent, industry-led model. The second is ensuring it does not cost a fortune to actually have an apprentice. The immense compliance burden and cost that having an apprentice can bring often prices many small trades-based businesses out of actually getting one. This needs to be cut back massively, so there is actually a reasonable way apprentices can get into the industry.

Labour

Yes. That’s why Labour announced a policy of expanding the Apprenticeship Boost scheme to 2 years, expanding the list of eligible apprenticeships, and providing each new learner with a one-off toolbox grant of up to $1,000.

Green

We support expanding free apprenticeship programmes and will work towards feesfree education for all tertiary courses. We would support exploring extending the Apprenticeship Boost scheme or making it permanent.

Act

ACT does not believe permanent ongoing subsidies are a good way of fixing the issue at hand. Every dollar of subsidy is taxed off another business or another family. We would rather lower the cost of employing an apprentice by getting the system right and removing compliance costs. We have already taken steps in Government to do this for plumbers, such as allowing for some self-certification for building projects.

NZ First NZ First has always advocated for a Targeted Trade and Apprenticeship Fund to provide employers with greater confidence when hiring new apprentices. This is underpinned by the principle that employment of New Zealanders is the first planning priority, ensuring that immigration is not used as an excuse for failing to train and skill our own people. The party also supports business-linked internships to bridge the gap between industry and vocational training, while enhancing local workforce development councils to better target financial support for on-the-job and off-the-job training.

Q2. APPRENTICE TRAINING

Do you support extending or making permanent the Apprenticeship Boost scheme and increasing funding levels?

National

National in this term of government made Apprenticeship Boost permanent and are committed to reviewing eligible industries every two years to ensure the scheme is targeted at growth areas and remains fit for purpose. No change in funding level is forecast.

We not only support it but also made sure the Coalition Government maintains the Apprenticeship Boost scheme as part of the agreement. The funding and duration of the funding is dependent on the industry needs at the time.

Q3. COST PRESSURES

Fuel price increases have significantly raised operating costs for trade businesses, with plumbers also affected by petroleum-based PVC and PE price increases. What measures would your party take to reduce cost pressures on trade businesses? Do you support government procurement and fixedprice contracts, including product price-escalation clauses?

National

National’s economic plan is focused on reducing inflation, restoring discipline to government spending, and lowering the regulatory and compliance costs faced by businesses. For the building and construction sector, the Government has been focused on reducing unnecessary costs in the building

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Questions from Master Plumbers to key parties include their approach to gas transition plans.

product price-escalation clauses to protect small trade businesses from global material cost spikes. This was announced by Winston Peters when the party committed to splitting gentailers earlier this year.

Q4. GAS TRANSITION

What is your long-term plan for gas infrastructure, gasfitting jobs, and preserving consumer choice during the transition to lower-emissions energy systems?

National

system, improving competition for building products, speeding up consenting, and removing rules that add cost without improving quality or safety. The new self-certification scheme for plumbers and drainlayers, in particular, will directly benefit those trades by removing the need for costly and slow building inspections.

Labour

Labour understands that rising costs, including fuel and petroleum-based materials, put real pressure on trade businesses. Tackling the cost of living is a core priority for Labour.

Green

The Green Party recognises fossil fuel price volatility is making life harder for tradespeople. In March 2026, we offered the Government our votes to introduce an immediate fossil fuel relief package. This included free public transport to get more people off our roads and ensure security of supply for those workers who are dependent on cars, like tradespeople. We also support incentives for switching to electric vehicles to make it easier for tradespeople to be less reliant on fossil fuel vehicles. Regarding procurement, we have consistently supported the use of government procurement rules to achieve broader economic and environmental outcomes, while also ensuring procurement delivers fair value and resilient supply chains. We would therefore be open to utilising procurement rules to better

support local economies and maintain the delivery of public infrastructure. Our core long-term response will always be to reduce exposure to fossil fuel shocks through, for example, a National Electrification Strategy.

Act

The biggest cost relief comes at a macro level. Disciplined government spending keeps the hidden tax, inflation, low and consistent, which in turn means stable interest rates. All these costs at a macro level influence the price of materials such as PVC and PE fittings. When it comes to fuel, ACT has been clear that we have to be disciplined and ensure that we cut back on red tape that makes fuel expensive. We are committed on procurement. ACT believes that procurement should provide the best deal to taxpayers. Ultimately procurement contracts will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and procurement practices that reflect real commercial risk could be used.

NZ First

NZ First would stabilise fuel supply and pricing through its Fuel Security Plan, including restoring domestic refining capability. This includes investigating the repoening of the Marsden Point Refinery. Regarding procurement, the party strongly supports local procurement policies that give weight to domestic service providers and ‘NZ Made’ products in government contracts. The party supports fair procurement rules, including fixed-price contracts and

In government, National has undertaken a range of actions to improve energy supply, affordability and reliability for consumers. Dwindling gas reserves are a significant challenge for the economy and for those who depend on it as an energy source. National promised to overturn the previous government’s oil and gas exploration ban and has done so. In Government, National supported the establishment of a $200m Gas Security Fund to consider ways to improve gas supply and storage.

Labour

Labour is interested in a gas prioritisation plan that directs gas towards the sectors where the transition will be the most challenging. Labour wrote to the government, offering to work in a bipartisan manner on the development of a gas prioritisation plan to work in the best interests of New Zealand. A managed approach gives industry time to adapt, supports the infrastructure and skilled trades the sector relies on, and provides households and businesses with certainty and choice during the transition. We are committed to working constructively to deliver the long-term direction and a secure, affordable, and sustainable energy system New Zealand needs. Labour is keen to work with industry to identify opportunities for reskilling and retraining existing members of workforce through the transition.

Green

The Green Party supports a planned transition to lower-emissions energy through electrification and we therefore oppose new LNG infrastructure. We would support a national strategy to plan for the diminishing role of natural

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gas (as recommended by the Climate Change Commission), which is a fossil fuel, and associated consequences for network infrastructure and workforce in the transition. Transition planning should include support and training for workers such as gasfitters, who may need to meet new requirements.

Act

ACT has been clear that gas is essential to energy security and is a legitimate transition fuel. ACT pushed for and supported the reversal of the 2018 offshore exploration ban. Gas must remain a protection against dry-year risk and it must remain a choice for consumers. Over time as new technologies develop, businesses will naturally transition to lowemissions energy.

NZ First

NZ First supports maintaining gas as part of the energy mix during a staged transition, protecting consumer choice and gasfitting jobs. The party backs renewable gas options and opposes premature decommissioning of gas infrastructure, ensuring workforce pathways into emerging technologies. NZ First repealed the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration. The long-term plan is to future-proof the natural gas industry by restarting exploration and supporting the development of hydrogen technology to produce hydrogen from natural gas without CO2 co-production. This approach aims to preserve gas infrastructure and gasfitting jobs while transitioning to lower-emissions energy systems.

Q5. WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

How will your party prioritise repairs and maintenance of ageing water infrastructure, particularly the identification and remediation of lead risks in the drinking water network?

National

New Zealand has underinvested in water infrastructure for decades. That left us with ageing assets and growing pressure on the system, increasing the risk of failures and environmental harm. National has introduced and implemented Local Water Done Well. This programme

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helps councils focus on the essentials, fixing pipes, investing in infrastructure, and delivering the safe, reliable water services communities depend on. As of 1 July, every mainland council now has an approved water services delivery plan in place. In less than three years, the Government has repealed Labour’s Three Waters policy, returned assets to local ownership, supported a financial solution for Watercare saving Aucklanders $899 million over four years, and reformed water regulation. This includes new wastewater standards expected to save councils $830 million in consenting costs, alongside stronger economic regulation to protect consumers. National will continue with this work.

Labour

Labour is committed to ensuring our water networks are well-maintained and that risks to drinking water quality, including lead, are properly identified and managed over time. Strong, independent regulation has an important role to play here, and we’ll continue to support it. We also recognise that funding this work sustainably matters, and that the costs shouldn’t fall unfairly on households. We’ll have more to say on our approach as we develop our policy platform ahead of the election.

Green

The Green Party would prioritise safe drinking water and maintaining existing water networks, identified as major investment priorities. We support public borrowing to invest in long-lived assets like water infrastructure, as funding for these assets is critical to New Zealand’s future resilience. We also support the National Infrastructure Plan’s priority to look after what we’ve got by prioritising adequate maintenance and renewals. Water reform should include central government resourcing and realistic timeframes so councils can meet safe service standards.

Act

A significant amount of New Zealand’s water infrastructure is in clear need of maintenance and repair. ACT believes local councils should be focused on this core infrastructure rather than spending ratepayer money on vanity projects. Water is a basic service that councils exist to deliver, and getting it right has to come ahead of nice-to-haves. The funding mechanism follows from that priority. Water charge revenue

should be ring-fenced and reinvested into maintaining and renewing water assets, rather than diverted elsewhere, and water organisations should be able to borrow against that revenue to fund the longoverdue renewals the network needs now. This puts water services on a financially sustainable footing and ensures the money raised for water is actually spent on water.

NZ First

NZ First prioritises local ownership of water assets and targeted central government funding for critical repairs. The party supports accelerated identification and remediation of lead risks, with transparent reporting and a dedicated fund for councils with ageing networks. The party secured a Regional Infrastructure Fund with $1.2 billion in capital funding over the parliamentary term to address projects of significance. Historically, the party has proposed an Infrastructure Equalization Fund of $100m per annum specifically to assist councils with water supply, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. To manage costs, the party encourages local government to make greater use of debt-funding for long-life assets.

Q6. LEAD-FREE PRODUCT STANDARDS

Do you support independent thirdparty verification of plumbing products to ensure compliance with new lead-free regulation?

National

National is open to conversations around improving compliance across the building system, such as the lead-free regulations, but any change must be practical, proportionate and not create additional costs onto the system.

Labour

Labour believes following the best health and safety advice, and working with industry on regulation will get the best outcomes.

Green Yes.

Act

ACT believes consumers should be confident products are safe. However, introducing a mandated domestic regime risks adding significant compliance costs that flow through to consumers without a corresponding lift in safety.

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NZ First

NZ First supports independent third-party verification to ensure plumbing products meet new lead-free regulations. This protects public health, prevents noncompliant imports, and supports reputable suppliers and installers. The party advocates to expand the role of Consumer Affairs in product safety and ensure that there are adequate powers to enforce the withdrawal of unsafe products, especially with the advent of online shopping platforms, which due to their size and volume are largely unregulated.

Q7. LICENSING & REGULATION

Unlicensed plumbing and drainlaying work is a serious risk to public health. What steps would your party take to strengthen enforcement against unlicensed practitioners, and would you support increased resourcing for the PGDB to investigate complaints and prosecute offenders?

National

National is committed to giving Kiwis greater confidence that building work is safe, reliable, and carried out by appropriately qualified tradespeople. Over the last three years we have made changes to crack down on the small minority of bad actors in the building system and a bill currently before Parliament will give the PGD Board more powers to investigate and prosecute individuals. We intend to progress further changes in this space, including around unlicensed individuals in the next term of Government.

potential risks of errors in plumbing or drainlaying, given most work is not visible after construction. The PGDB already prosecutes unauthorised plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying work and exists to protect public health and safety. Plumbers and drainlayers can already self-certify certain work in relation to existing buildings. We respect the oversight of the PGDB, but noted concerns from some submitters on the change.

Act

ACT understands there are concerns around licensing and enforcement and we appreciate the role the PGDB plays in this.

NZ First

NZ First supports stronger enforcement against unlicensed plumbing and drainlaying work, including increased PGDB resourcing. The party backs tougher penalties for repeat offenders and improved public awareness of licensing requirements.

Q8. ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Do you support subsidies or incentives for hot water heat pumps (HWHP), efficient hot water systems, and other energy-saving technologies?

National

Labour recognises unlicensed trades work poses a health and safety risk. Labour’s Apprenticeship Boost expansion policy will support trades. We also recognise the work in ReEnergise 26 on the need for coordination and planning across the whole of the energy sector workforce. We will have more to say about this before the Election.

National introduced the Gas Loan Transition Scheme in Budget 2026 to make cheaper loans available to major gas users to help them achieve energy savings, or transition away from gas entirely. Up to $1.2 billion of bank loans will be made available under the scheme. National is backing the procurement of an imported LNG facility to be a back-up resource for electricity generation during ‘dry years’ when the lakes are low, the sun doesn’t shine and the wind isn’t blowing. National has announced a scheme to allow homeowners to borrow against the equity in their house to install rooftop solar, with repayments through rates. National will continue to announce further energy policies before the Election.

Green

Labour

Due to public safety and quality assurance concerns in plumbing and drainlaying regulation, we have opposed reforms where the quality-assurance balance was not met. We were not convinced that the benefits of expanding self-certification outweighed

Labour is supportive of efforts to support households to transition to electrification to help with the cost of living. We will be announcing our energy policy before the Election, which will include a priority for electrification.

Green

We support the findings of the Climate Change Commission that improving energy efficiency and deploying new technologies are key ways to improve affordability, reliability and emissions reductions. We also want to support energy-saving technologies, such as HWHPs, as they offer a great growth area for industry. It was former Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons who founded the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme, where the Government pays up to 80 per cent of the cost of heat pumps for private homeowners who live in poorer areas or have a community services card. In the 2023 Election, we proposed a Clean Power Payment that would have provided grants and interest-free loans to cover the costs of making energy efficient, zero carbon upgrades, such as replacing gas heaters and installing electric heat pumps, electric water heaters, electric ovens and stovetops, and better insulation. We will have more to say on this when we release detailed policy later this year.

Act

ACT opposes subsidies. Again, every dollar of a subsidy is money that is taxed off of other households and business. The history shows that Government is bad at picking which technologies will win in any market, meaning subsidies can actually hurt people moving towards specific goods. ACT wants to focus on removing the barriers that make energy-efficient installations unnecessarily expensive, which includes ridiculous compliance costs.

NZ First

NZ First supports targeted subsidies for hot water heat pumps and efficient hot water systems, prioritising low-income households and older homes. Incentives should remain technology-neutral, allowing consumers to choose the most suitable energy-saving option. In particular, the party supports incentives for energy-saving technologies by allowing owners of rental houses to expense qualifying home improvements, specifically including heat pumps and solar heating for income tax purposes in the year the cost is incurred. Broadly, the Coalition Government is committed to increasing New Zealand’s renewable electricity and supporting new technology to shift reliance from global fuel supply disruptions.

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Our Partners

Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ thanks the following Partners for their support: PLATINUM PARTNERS

GOLD PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS

CLEARLITE BATHROOMS

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MEMBER BENEFIT

Master Plumbers has launched a free pilot of Toby—a purpose-built AI tool to assist members with legal and technical compliance.

The Master Plumbers membership was given the chance to register interest in the free Toby pilot, with 200 lucky members randomly selected in mid-July. Toby gives instant access to more than 4,000 pages of the latest PGD standards, codes, laws and regulations, allowing members to quickly get answers to their questions— anywhere, at any time and on any device.

Toby only searches within these documents rather than trawling the internet. It removes the need to thumb through lengthy compliance documents or do Google searches. Getting the green light for the pilot has involved licensing, copyright and access approval from Standards New Zealand and Standards Australia. Master Plumbers is now advocating for wider access and secure funding beyond the pilot.

Master Plumbers

TOBY AI PILOT HAS LAUNCHED

The Toby pilot has been made available to 200 member businesses, with the goal of widening access to all.

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MASTER PLUMBERS IS ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY, AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IN THIS EDITION’S NEWS ROUND-UP.

Standards New Zealand held a Volunteer Recognition Reception at Government House in July, hosted by Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor General of New Zealand.

Recognition of Standards New Zealand volunteers Master Plumbers was represented among nearly 200 guests at Standards New Zealand’s Volunteer Recognition Reception in late July. The event, held at Government House in Wellington and hosted by Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor General of New Zealand, acknowledged the enormous contribution made by standards committee volunteers across New Zealand. They include Master Plumbers member Jon Lewis, who provides his expertise on backflow, plumbing and drainage standards committees, and David Whitfield who does the same for gasfitting. “A message repeated throughout the presentations was that the people serving

on standards committees are often the silent achievers,” says Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace. “They freely contribute their time, industry expertise and practical experience to develop standards that protect the public, support quality and help industries move forward. “The value of this work is not always visible, but its impact is felt every day. Standards are strongest when they are shaped by the industries and people who understand how they must work in practice. “Master Plumbers thanks Standards New Zealand for recognising these volunteers and every committee member who continues to serve their industry and the wider public interest.”

ADVOCACY UPDATE: CONCERNS AROUND PROPOSED SELF-CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS & FEES The Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board recently consulted on its proposals for the endorsement requirements, conditions, fees and audit levy for the plumber and drainlayer self-certification scheme. In its feedback, Master Plumbers said that, while it strongly supports self-

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certification, it has significant concerns around various aspects of the proposals. “Plumbers and drainlayers should not face a materially more burdensome regime than equivalent trades,” says CEO Greg Wallace. “In our view, the proposals as they stand are unreasonable

and inconsistent with how comparable schemes have operated successfully in New Zealand.” Read the Master Plumbers submission in full in the Member Toolbox at www.masterplumbers.org.nz (under Advocacy Submissions)

Master Plumbers

NEWS

Remembering Brian Foley National Life Member

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Master Plumbers Life Member Brian Foley MNZM in June, at the age of 85. Brian Foley was an incredibly dedicated member of Master Plumbers and the secondgeneration owner of the successful Foleys multi-trade service business, established in 1934 by his father Albert Foley in Dunedin, over 91 years ago. Foleys has grown and transformed over the decades and now counts 260 employees and apprentices at 12 locations around New Zealand under the current leadership, which includes Brian's son Craig Foley. Craig’s son Nathan is also part of the team at Foley’s in Dunedin. Brian took over the business in the 1960s, at the age of just 22 when his father had a heart attack and had to step back. He ushered in a new era of expansion into commercial contracting, electrical services and mechanical capability, with the business going on to win the 2006 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award.

By the time he retired from full-time work in 2011, he had built the team from two to 70. He continued to work part time in the Dunedin office well into his eighties, helping price the home dialysis systems the company installs for Dunedin Hospital. Brian served on the National Executive of Master Plumbers for 20 years and on the Otago Master Plumbers Executive, including a term touring New Zealand as National President in 1996-97. He was awarded Life Membership of the Otago Master Plumbers and, in 2021, received the rare honour of National Life Membership. In 2024, Brian was appointed MNZM for services to the plumbing industry and the community. Always wanting to help others, he worked with health and disability support service Enable New Zealand to provide house alterations for clients with physical needs.

A Dunedin Rotary member for more than 45 years, he also arranged the club’s meals-onwheels delivery service for seniors and disabled people in South Dunedin, coordinating drivers and doing deliveries himself. He donated use of his business assets for club projects and was involved with the club committees, serving as President from 1988-89. Brian shared his knowledge freely with other plumbers and encouraged apprentices into their new careers—bringing on more than 150 apprentices over his 67-year career. When not working, he was likely to be found tinkering on his vintage Ford Model A, taking part in car rallies, or singing bass in the Royal Dunedin Male Choir. Brian will be much missed by all who knew him. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife Cathy, three children, and their extended families.

1: Brian in the Master Plumbers presidential chains during his term as National President from 1996-97. 2: In 2024, Brian was appointed MNZM for his services to the plumbing industry and the community. He’s shown here with Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro. 3: Four generations of the Foley family, from left: Craig, Brian, Nathan and Lily, who's now four. 4: Accepting his National Life Membership Award at the 2021 New Zealand Plumbing Awards.

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Master Plumbers

NEWS

SMART HOT WATER

Growth opportunity for plumbers

POWERED BY As energy costs continue to rise, homeowners are increasingly looking for practical ways to save money and make their homes smarter. Hot water is one of the largest energy users in most households, creating an opportunity for plumbers to deliver value beyond the cylinder itself. That’s where GridSmart comes in. GridSmart technology transforms a standard hot water cylinder into a smart energy system that heats water when electricity is cheapest. It helps customers save money on their energy bills, while ensuring they don’t run out of hot water. Through a simple mobile app, homeowners can monitor hot water levels,

temperature, energy use and savings in real time. Unlike many renewable hot water solutions that require significant upfront investment, GridSmart delivers a typical payback in just one to two years, making it an accessible and practical option for more households. For plumbers, GridSmart offers a straightforward way to increase job value, differentiate from competitors, and provide a premium upgrade customers can immediately understand and appreciate. Whether you’re installing a new cylinder or replacing an ageing one, GridSmart turns a standard installation into a futurefocused solution that continues delivering benefits long after the job is complete. The installation process has been designed with tradespeople in mind—it is very simple and quick. The plumber focuses on the cylinder installation while a qualified electrician completes the GridSmart electrical work, ensuring a clear split of responsibilities. Training and support are provided, making it easy to incorporate GridSmart into your service offering. As New Zealand households increasingly adopt smart technologies,

MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES

Master Plumbers loves to celebrate loyal membership by plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses all around Aotearoa New Zealand. Membership Milestone certificates are awarded each year to acknowledge long-standing membership, from five years through to 90 and beyond! Here, we list the recipients of certificates for membership of 20-years plus in 2026. Congratulations!

70 YEARS

Park & Clarke Ltd Wellington

50 YEARS

Silverbirch Plumbing Ltd Manawatu

40 YEARS

Hawkins Plumbing Ltd Wellington Millars Plumbing & Drainlaying Otautau Ltd Southland Tim Miller Plumbing Ltd Nelson

30 YEARS

Blair McNab Plumbing Ltd Otago Dwan & Andrews Ltd Canterbury

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Grant Plumbing Ltd Hutt Valley/Wairarapa Leon Smith Plumbing Ltd Wellington May Plumbing & Gas Ltd Queenstown Lakes District Panton Plumbing Ltd Hawke’s Bay South Auckland Plumbing Ltd Auckland Wayne Franich Drainage Ltd Auckland

20 YEARS

Allgo Plumbing & Drainage Ltd Auckland Atkinson Plumbing Ltd Southland Goodman Plumbing Ltd Southland HFT Ultra Gas & Plumbing Ltd Southland

plumbers are uniquely positioned to help customers take control of one of their biggest energy expenses. By offering GridSmart, you’re helping customers save money, improve efficiency, and futureproof their homes. Learn more at gridsmart.co.nz or contact solutions@gridsmart.co.nz

GridSmart transforms a standard hot water cylinder into a smart energy system that heats water when electricity is cheapest.

H2Flow Ltd Auckland Hawke’s Bay Gas Services Ltd Hawke’s Bay Its Earthmoving Ltd Bay of Plenty/Coromandel John Myers Plumbing Wellington Mark Keenan Plumbing Canterbury Massey Plumbing Auckland Ministry of Plumbing Ltd Wellington PC Plumbing (HB) Ltd Hawke’s Bay Peak Plumbing & Gas Ltd Hawke’s Bay

Pipeworx Plumbing Ltd Manawatu Richardson Plumbing Ltd Queenstown Lakes District Sid Cuff Plumbing Ltd Manawatu Southern Gas Ltd Southland Travers Plumbing Services Ltd Auckland UNEEDA Plumber Ltd Manawatu Urlich Plumbing Ltd Waikato Vic Nicholson Plumbers Otago Watco Plumbing Ltd Northland From left: Brian Donnelly of Silverbirch Plumbing in Palmerston North, Graeme Hawkins of Hawkins Plumbing in Wellington, and Graeme Millar of Millars Plumbing & Drainlaying Otautau, with their membership milestone certificates, presented at the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Night.

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Steve Terblanche, 1968-2026

TRIBUTE BY STEVE’S WIFE DILLY TERBLANCHE Steve Terblanche, owner of Polite Plumbers Ltd, passed away suddenly on 2 March 2026. Steve was not only a respected Certifying Plumber, but a man full of humour, heart, and character. Many will remember his cheeky Polite Plumbers branding and the smile it brought, but those who knew him will remember his warmth, his generosity, and the way he connected with people. Steve was featured in The Project, Spinoff, NZ Plumber and on RNZ for his creative and clever branding tactics. He also used his innovative thinking to design the Poo-Zooka, a simple yet effective alternative to the traditional toilet plunger. Originally from South Africa, Steve moved to New Zealand in 2016 in search of a safer and brighter life and made Auckland his home. Through his work, he built genuine relationships with his customers, who became part of his extended community. We are deeply

grateful for the trust and support they showed him over the years. Steve, you were more than words can capture. You were loved deeply, and you will be missed every single day. Thank you for the life we shared, for your laughter, and for the memories that will stay with us forever.

FUN TIMES AT FIELDAYS

More than 132,000 visitors came through the gates over the four days of this year’s Fieldays—20% up on last year. “This year’s strong attendance and exhibitor demand highlight the confidence in the sector,” said New Zealand National Fieldays Society Chief Executive Richard Lindroos of this flagship event for primary industries.

A group of Wellington Branch members enjoyed a trip to to this year’s Fieldays.

NEW MEMBERS A warm welcome to new Master Plumbers member businesses: Gloys Group Ltd Auckland GVR Ltd Auckland Simon’s Plumbing Ltd Auckland Tesh Ltd Auckland Formula Plumb Ltd Waikato Rawson Pitcon Ltd Waikato Waiboys Plumbing Ltd Waikato Aotea Plumbing & Drainage Bay of Plenty/Coromandel DP Plumbing Ltd Taranaki Straight Flush New Plymouth Taranaki Pipe Runners Ltd Whanganui Edge Plumbing Wellington Go with The Flow 2026 Ltd Wellington 40

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Atkins Plumbing Ltd Hutt Valley/ Wairarapa Foundry Plumbing Ltd Hutt Valley/ Wairarapa Reriti Plumbing Ltd Hutt Valley/ Wairarapa Lancewood Plumbing Ltd Canterbury All Plumb Korere Wai Ltd Otago Aotea Plumbing & Drainage (NZ) Ltd Otago Southern Alps Plumbing Ltd Queenstown Lakes District McDowell Plumbing Ltd Southland

WANT TO JOIN?

Master Plumbers is here to support all businesses in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry. Members are Quality Assured and backed by the Master Plumbers Guarantee. We offer a wide range of business resources, health and safety, employment, legal and technical support, plus training and member discounts— and we advocate for our members as a collective industry voice. Get in touch today! Contact 0800 502 102 membership@masterplumbers.org.nz

Master Plumbers

NEWS

Meet new Master Plumbers Board Director Jacob Smith “I’m particularly interested in workforce development and what Masterlink can offer in the on-job assessment space, self-certification for plumbers and drainlayers, and ensuring our industry remains an attractive career choice for future generations. “I’m passionate about developing people and creating opportunities for others to succeed in our industry. I personally value integrity, accountability, continuous improvement, and investing in people. I believe if we help our people grow, our businesses and the wider industry grow alongside them.” Q: Have you held any other roles in the industry or your community? A: “I’m currently President of the Waikato Master Plumbers. I also served on the SRG (strategic reference group) for PGD with Waihanga Ara Rau workforce development council and I now work with Wintec as a member of the Industry Advisory Group and with their Māori, Pacific trade training team. “I have served on the board at Knighton Normal School Board of Trustees and currently serve on the board committee at my local rugby club at Hamilton Marist.” Jacob Smith, a Director and Contracts Manager at Plumbing & Gas Works in Hamilton, was elected to the Board of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ at this year’s AGM in June. We asked Jacob about his career journey to date, and his thoughts on getting started in this new role.

Q: Can you tell us a little about your life outside of work? A: “I’m married to Nicole, who has her own successful career, and we have four children, Rylee, Kade, Brodie and Henry, and one dog, Hiwa. I coach two of my sons’ rugby teams and another senior rugby team, so between work, rugby and the family, life is pretty busy.”

Q: How long have you been with Plumbing & Gas Works? A: “I started as an apprentice in 2005 before progressing through the business as a qualified tradesman, project manager and now contracts manager. I became a shareholder before being appointed as a director in 2020, giving me experience across both the operational and governance sides of the business.” Q: Why did you apply to become a Master Plumbers Board Director? A: “The relationships built through both Master Plumbers and Masterlink have been invaluable, and I believe they play a critical role in strengthening the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying profession across New Zealand. “Masterlink has allowed us to focus on training and mentoring apprentices, while providing excellent pastoral care and administrative support. Master Plumbers has also provided valuable networking opportunities, technical support and advocacy for the industry. “I see serving on the Board as an opportunity to help shape the future of our industry by supporting initiatives that strengthen training, raise professional standards and ensure Master Plumbers continues to deliver real value for members.” Q: What do you most look forward to as a member of the Board? A: “I’m excited about the opportunity ahead and grateful for the confidence members have placed in me. I hope to bring a practical, collaborative approach to the Board while helping ensure our industry continues to thrive for the next generation of tradespeople. “I look forward to working alongside experienced Board members from across New Zealand, learning from different perspectives, and contributing practical ideas from the day-to-day realities of running a plumbing business.

Cover that stands behind your work Today’s plumbing work includes design, advice and specifications, and that means more risk. As the industry moves towards self-certification, professional responsibility and accountability are becoming even more important. Professional Indemnity insurance covers you when advice, design work, specifications or certification-related decisions lead to financial loss.

Connect with us 0800 866 766 | masterplumbers@ajg.co.nz

The Optiplumb team celebrating their 2026 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award win.

WORDS: BEVERLY SELLERS PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK HAMILTON

In just over five years, Duncan Leask has grown Optiplumb to a loyal team of 16, with a focus on service excellence, ongoing learning, and an open, positive workplace culture. 42

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Master Plumbers

MEMBER PROFILE

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Duncan is always prepared to listen and advise, acting as a mentor to his staff.

uncan Leask had a clear idea of the type of business he wanted to create when he started Optiplumb in Hamilton in 2021. “I had a set of business pillars that I was really excited to put into action,” he recalls. Going out on his own was a big leap of faith, having worked at the same company for 15 years since starting his apprenticeship. Despite having gained good business knowledge along the way, Duncan admits it wasn’t easy. “I didn’t have a lot of money. I put my life savings into a van and went hard.” Within six weeks, he was so busy he took on his first employee. With Covid lockdowns still in play, New Zealanders were spending on renovations instead of holidays, and there was no shortage of work. A tradesman came first, followed by an apprentice, and the company has continued to grow along this pattern since. “I’ve always had apprentices and I’ve got five right now,” he says. “I appreciate the learning I got from the company I worked for and I want to pass on that knowledge and give back to the trade.” Taking on apprentices also means he can embed them within the company culture. “I want everybody to enjoy what they do, to understand the importance of plumbing and be happy while they’re doing it,” he explains. “A lot of trades businesses don’t

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communicate well. We’re quite transparent with our team in a constructive way. We talk about what’s happening and what’s coming up—we’re very open.” Duncan describes it as a firm but fair approach. “You do need to be fairly tough in business, but not tough in terms of your staff’s emotions. There’s a right and wrong way to replace a tap but that’s not what makes people tick. It’s all the other stuff in life, not the plumbing, that affects them day to day.” Duncan sees being a mentor as part of his role as a business owner. “Life is hard and you’ve got to be prepared to listen and advise,” he says. “Otherwise, you’re not going to have that culture.”

Tracking key metrics The field team come together every Monday for a stand-up meeting to make sure everyone’s OK and understands what’s coming up, and to talk about health and safety—with another meeting once a month. The office team also meet weekly to discuss deliverables. “We all have our key metrics that we work to—the estimator, the project manager, the operations manager, and the office manager.” Duncan describes himself as the ‘salesman’, providing the metrics on quotes out and quotes approved, and the dollar value of the work coming through the

pipeline. The operations manager might talk about labour utilisation and jobs that faced financial or physical challenges. The office manager, meanwhile, shares metrics on phone calls, job leads, receivables and payables, and she and Duncan also catch up daily. “That way, we’re all aware in the office of what’s going on and how we’re tracking.”

Measuring the marketing The services provided by Optiplumb include residential, commercial and industrial maintenance, renovations, and the occasional new build in both urban and rural areas. Duncan is also a Backflow IQP, having carried out backflow testing for many years. “I was from the country, so we didn’t have people who were IQPs in the area,” he says. “My tradesman taught me how to test a backflow when I was probably six months into my apprenticeship, so I’ve known for a long time.” He has always had the help of a business coach, who was particularly supportive in the early days with his marketing spend and ensuring he was directing his energy in the right places. “He helped me structure the business in a way that we could serve the markets that were working well, which was obviously maintenance at the time,” he explains.

Master Plumbers

At 41, Duncan is the oldest on the team, so digital marketing and business systems have been easily adopted.

“We got we dialled in on our existing customers and ramped up our marketing techniques to try and pull in as many people as we could—and we managed to do that. I think that’s why we’re so busy right now, because it’s coming home to roost. The market’s increasing, but our marketing hasn’t changed.” Their marketing techniques are 90 percent digital—Google Ads, social media, newsletters and email marketing—with face-to-face also playing an important part. “We measure our daily phone calls to give us an idea of the kind of services people are wanting, so we can tweak our ads if needed. The number of leads also gives us an idea of our upcoming workload, so we know if we need to put our Google Ads spend up or down.” At 41, Duncan is the oldest member of the team, so embracing digital marketing and workplace systems has been easy. “For me, it’s always been about efficiency,” he says. “I didn’t want to use pen and paper if I was going to do the paperwork myself. It’s also easier to train people digitally and it just reduces the documentation throughout the business.”

High bar for customer service Optiplumb’s customers are treated with the same culture of respect and openness as the internal team. “As a group, we do

what we say we’re going to do,” explains Duncan. “We’re upfront and we’re honest, and we don’t lower the bar for any of our customers.” They are particular about the type of people they want to work with. “Some customers aren’t for us, and we’re not for them, and that's okay. Some people just don’t have the same expectations or want something outside of what we’re comfortable doing. “The clients we have are fantastic and we give them a great service and make sure they’re happy. It’s nothing massive but it makes a big difference—good communication, shoes off at the door, a smile and a thank you.”

Master Plumbers & community The company has been a member of Master Plumbers from the get-go, and Duncan is on the executive of the local Waikato branch. Initially, the real benefit was in the resource package, which he describes as “fairly blooming amazing”—particularly in terms of the HR offering, which they use as their baseline. As his engagement has increased, so too has his understanding of how Master Plumbers benefits the industry. “The advocacy, the resources, the people, the training, the conferences. You get back what you put in, I think.”

MEMBER PROFILE

Winning the 2026 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award is a real feather in the cap, he says. “We’re really stoked to have it. It proves that what we’re doing is working.” He and the team also engage with their local community and charitable initiatives, such as Gumboot Friday and Movember. This year, Red Cross is the charity of choice, reflecting the number of people Duncan knows personally who’ve experienced health-related issues. “It feels right to give back, so we do it,” he says simply. With many of the staff and their kids into sport, they also like to give financial support to their teams where they can. “I believe that kids’ sport is really good for them and good for their communities,” says Duncan. A former keen rugby player, he knows this first-hand. He and his wife Zarna have two boys and a girl, aged between five and 10, and both parents are heavily involved with rugby and netball coaching throughout the year. Zarna works as a learning assistant at their children’s school. With a business degree in her own right, she also helps out with logistics for Optiplumb when she can. “She’s not in the business full time but she obviously feels the business,” says Duncan with a laugh.

Have a mentor, make a plan Team sport has also helped create the culture at Optiplumb. Having witnessed many different sports leadership styles and cultures over the years, Duncan knew which he wanted for his workplace. As we all know, there’s a massive difference between a good plumber and a good business owner. For anyone starting out on their own like he did, his advice would be to speak to a mentor or someone already in business. “Make a plan around what you’re going to do,” he says. “It can’t just be ‘I’m going to go and plumb’. You need to think about what you want to offer, what type of work you like, what’s the ideal client, and how you are going to manage your money. Do you have insurance? What type of vehicle are you going to buy? What stock are you going to have? Who are your suppliers? Have you got credit applications? “Most are good plumbers who just want to go out, and they’ve got a dream—and that’s really awesome. But you’ve got to make sure that everything’s in place, so you don’t hit the ball too early.” As for Optiplumb, the plan is to continue growing. “Obviously, it’s been a bit of a downturn, but we’ve grown steadily,” says Duncan. “We’ll just continue to listen to the market.”

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CONGRATULATING THE 2026 MASTERLINK PLUMBING WORLD SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS, AND WISHING RETIRING RM BOB MCCOY ALL THE BEST.

From workforce to team

“The right leadership skill multiplies your investment.” Rhys Nimmo

General Manager, Masterlink and Master Plumbers

Last edition, I talked about building your workforce ahead of the upsurge in work coming our way. Finding and employing the right people is a challenge in itself. Once you’ve got the right people on board, how do you turn them into a team? I’ve spent a good part of my career coaching leaders and building teams. The biggest lever for team performance was never the individuals themselves—it was whether the leader adapted their style to match where each person was at. It’s called situational leadership, and it works just as well on a job site as it does in any

business. Get this right, and you don’t just end up with skilled hands—you end up with a team that runs itself, and future leaders coming up through the ranks. Most leaders typically have one dominant managerial style. We use all kinds of terms to characterise this, like micro-managing, coaching, a hands-off approach. A firstyear apprentice thrives on clarity—clear instructions, close supervision, a solid foundation to build from. Give them that, and you’re setting them up to grow fast. It’s not micro-managing, it’s being supportive. New people want your time and support. By year two or three, shift into coaching. They can do the work, so bring them into the ‘why’ behind it, along with their ideas. This is where confidence really starts to build. You want them to start thinking like a tradie rather than just following instructions. As they approach qualification, step into a supporting role. Let them make the calls; be the safety net rather than the driver. Watch how quickly they rise when you hand them a bit of trust. Once they’re through, delegate properly. Give them real responsibility. Some of your best future supervisors—maybe even your next business partner— will come from apprentices who were led this way. So, here’s a question worth sitting with: are you leading your staff and apprentices the same way every day, or adjusting to meet them with each stage they are at? Adapting our managerial style is quite hard to do, but it starts with an awareness of what individual support people need to develop. Nail the people piece, and growing your workforce becomes growing a team you’re genuinely proud of.

ON A WINNING STREAK

Apache Davidson with his two award certificates.

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It’s been an awesome few months for Apache Davidson. Having won the Rotorua Branch event in early June for the 2026 Plumbing World Young Plumber of the Year competition, Apache went on to be selected as the Gasfitting Finalist for the prestigious James Douglas Medallion at the NZ Plumbing Awards at Claudelands in Hamilton later the same month. A recently qualified plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer at BOP Plumbing, Apache completed his apprenticeship through Masterlink. He was back at Claudelands in July to take part in the Waikato/ King Country Young Plumber regional final the following month. Congrats Apache!

Master Plumbers

MASTERLINK NEWS

A CHAT WITH BOB MCCOY ON HIS RETIREMENT At 67, Bob McCoy has decided it’s time to hang up his boots. For the past 12 years, Bob has been the Masterlink Regional Manager for the Lower North Island. Previous to this, he spent 20 years in the police, here and in the UK, before working in the insurance industry and later with the Motor Trade Association. During his time at Masterlink, Bob has managed 163 apprentices through their training and has experienced some industry highs and lows, including the Covid-19 lockdowns and the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle. Throughout, he has provided them with mentoring and support. “Young apprentices are learning about life and they want someone to talk to,” he says. “If they raise mental health and wellbeing issues, we talk to their host or seek help on their behalf if they want us to.” Signing up new apprentices is always a great buzz, says Bob. “Seeing them right through to completion five years later and presenting their certificates to them—that’s what we’re there for. We monitor their job assessments and online study assessments along the way to make sure they’re getting the work done.” With the region’s host businesses located all the way from Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, to Taupō, Manawatu, Whanganui and Wellington, the job includes a lot of time on the road, conducting interviews with potential candidates, presenting certificates of completion, and visiting hosts and apprentices for the quarterly appraisals to discuss their study progress. There’s also plenty of engagement via phone and email. “Some apprentices you might talk to once a week if they need to know something or are having issues. First year apprentices often need reassurance that they’re doing a good job and aren’t expected to know everything yet.

Bob McCoy retired in July after a 52-year career, the past 12 of them with Masterlink.

“With all the changes to training delivery, we’re also there to let them know they don’t need to fret about understanding the system—that’s our job to be onto it and give them the information they need.” Essentially, the Regional Manager is the main point of contact for anything the host or apprentice might need, continues Bob. “We can then send that query in the right direction, which is often our admin team in Wellington.” Over the years, he has built strong relationships with host employers, many of whom come back regularly when they’re looking to taking on more apprentices. “Masterlink has really good candidate screening,” he says. “We want our apprentices to

succeed for the host, by ensuring they’re getting the best mentoring and training available. “We also aim to take a lot off the host’s shoulders, time wise, as there’s no in-house administration. They can call us any time they need to know something about their apprentice.” A member of his local Hawke’s Bay Rotary Club, Bob is now looking forward to doing some more voluntary work and maybe dusting off the golf clubs. He leaves Masterlink with memories to treasure of all the apprentices he has managed through to completion. “It’s a joy having got to know them—not only in a book learning setting but being in their lives as young people growing up,” says Bob. nzplumber

WELCOME!

Nau mai, haere mai to new Masterlink apprentices: Seth Cornes-Jackson DunnRight Plumbing and Electrical, Cambridge Jackson Harness Your Local Plumber (2015), Auckland Tony Samson Aqua Pro Plumbing & Drainage, Christchurch Zach Bolton Roberts Plumbing & Gas, Auckland Tre Kepa BOP Plumbing & Gas, Rotorua Locklyn Trass-O'Neill Drainage Systems, Hamilton Harlo Lawson FB Hall & Co, Hamilton Pippa Challis FB Hall & Co Hamilton Jovan Bosch BOP Plumbing & Gas, Rotorua Kieran Oliver Neustroski Plumbing & Gas, Te Kūiti Patrick Hannay Neustroski Plumbing & Gas, Te Kūiti Shakayden Peng CF Reese, Hamilton William Cooper Rawlings Plumbing, Queenstown Nate Karst Fox Queenstown Kobie Thwaites RHE Mechanical, Queenstown Natasha Linton Plumbing & Gas Works, Hamilton Ty Gerrand Plumbing & Gas Works, Hamilton Amy Pedersen Regency Plumbing, Auckland Liam Watts Dynamic Drainage and Excavation, Christchurch Sam Douglas Premier Heating, New Plymouth Luka Salesa DBC Building Services, Dunedin George Marshall Aqua Pro Plumbing & Drainage, Christchurch Moby Ethell RDS Plumbing, Waiheke Kahukura Haggie Morrinsville Plumbing and Gas Services Logan Cui Heron Plumbing, Auckland

QUALIFIED!

Congratulations on receiving your Level 4 NZ Certificates: Matthew Bell, Eric Gruythuysen and Kai Gurton in Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying Oliver Fisher, Mitchell Irwin and Cooper Russell-Hall in Plumbing and Drainlaying Alex Bae, Noah Payne, Raphael Smith and Johannes Uys in Plumbing Jordan Dibley, Ethan Fricker and Daniel Muir in Gasfitting Levi McBride and Tari Pita in Drainlaying 48

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CONGRATS TO ERIC, RORY AND SAM! Masterlink apprentices Eric Gruythuysen, Rory Read and Sam Baldwin are this year’s three Plumbing World Scholarship winners, with Eric taking out the overall award. These scholarships recognise Masterlink apprentices for their mahi, studies, and ability to step up when it counts, proving a real asset to their host business. Each receives $1,000 to spend at Plumbing World, with Eric also winning free registration to the NZ Plumbing Conference. Eric, who works at Kumeū Plumbing in Auckland, stood out for his determination

after pressing forward on his PGD studies, which he has now completed, while recovering from ankle surgery. Rory’s high-quality workmanship, problem-solving skills and positive attitude have seen him excel on some of Wānaka's most technically challenging architectural homes at McIvor Plumbers & Gasfitters Wānaka. Sam has earned the trust of his team and customers by stepping up early in his apprenticeship, taking on greater responsibility, and mentoring fellow apprentices at 100% Plumbing & Gas in Rotorua.

2026 Plumbing World Scholarship winners, from left: Rory Read, Eric Gruythuysen and Sam Baldwin, with Master Plumbers Chair, now retired, Craig Foley (left) and NZPM Co-operative Chief Executive Brett Cruickshank.

GET IN TOUCH Need an apprentice in your business? Masterlink is here to help.

Peter Shields Apprentice Training Manager 021 289 0255

Steve Meadows Auckland & Northland 027 558 5441

Callum Dimond Auckland 021 773 296

Helen Mitchell Central North Island 027 297 5140

Emma Dunkley Upper South Island 021 433 615

Johnny Allen Lower South Island 021 356 748

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CLOSING THE LOOP

Marley provides a progress report on PVC recycling in New Zealand.

here’s a noticeable shift happening across New Zealand job sites and yards. More plumbers are separating their offcuts, holding onto recovered pipe, and choosing to recycle rather than dump. It might sound simple, but it marks a genuine turning point for how our industry manages plastic waste. At Marley (Aliaxis NZ), that shift is being encouraged and celebrated. Over the past 12-18 months they’ve focused on building the systems needed to make uPVC recycling practical at scale—and making it easier for plumbers to get involved.

Nationwide network starts to take shape One of the biggest barriers to recycling has always been access. If it’s not easy, it doesn’t happen. Plumbers can now take advantage of an expanding network of recycling locations across New Zealand, including transfer stations and selected plumbing merchants. Instead of offcuts going in the skip, they can be dropped off and reprocessed into new products. In Auckland, many plumbers are bringing plastic waste directly to Plastics Recycling New Zealand (PRNZ). It’s a practical example of a closed loop in action: material once installed in the ground or behind walls coming back into the system to be turned into new product.

Meanwhile, in Hawke’s Bay, Marley has been trialling in-store collection points with merchants. Early results are encouraging, with strong engagement from local trades. The goal is to refine this model and expand it nationwide—meeting plumbers where they already are and making recycling part of the everyday routine.

PRNZ: turning waste into new product At the centre of this system is PRNZ. Launched in 2025 as a joint venture between Aliaxis NZ and WM New Zealand, PRNZ is New Zealand’s first dedicated postconsumer uPVC recycling facility. Based in Auckland, the plant is designed to take a wide range of plastic waste—not just pipe. uPVC construction materials like fencing, hoardings and joinery are processed alongside HDPE materials such as shampoo bottles and road-markers. Material is collected, sorted, shredded, washed and granulated into a high-quality recyclate, which is then sold back to manufacturers to be used in new products. Importantly, PRNZ has the capacity to scale. The plant can process more than 5 million kilograms of uPVC and HDPE annually, with enough capacity to recycle nearly all coloured HDPE content generated in the North Island.

Real numbers, real progress In 2025, 1,459,658kg of recyclable material was sourced and processed by Marley (Aliaxis NZ), ready to be turned back into new products. That volume reflects material coming from multiple streams, including construction, infrastructure and everyday consumer plastics. All four Aliaxis NZ production sites are now incorporating recycled content into products. Currently, 112 product SKUs are being produced with recyclate included—a number that continues to grow as supply becomes more consistent and product development advances.

Why plumber participation matters The missing link in any recycling system has always been collection—and that’s where plumbers play a critical role. Every offcut kept out of landfill, every length of old pipe returned, helps build the volume needed to sustain the system. It improves the quality and consistency of recyclate, making it easier to feed back into manufacturing. The momentum we’re seeing now suggests behaviours are changing. Recycling is becoming less of a ‘nice to do’ and more of a standard part of the job.

What comes next The focus now is on scaling what’s working: Expanding access to convenient drop-off points nationwide Continuing to grow the Marley range of products incorporating recycled content Increasing the volume of material recovered from construction sources. For plumbers, the role is simple but powerful: separate your waste, find out where your nearest recycling drop off location is, and return excess PVC material back ‘into the loop’.

PRNZ processes PVC and HDPE material from job sites, as well as kerbside recycling materials, such as milk bottles.

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Closing the loop on uPVC in New Zealand is an industry effort... and it’s gaining traction. To find a recycling station near you, visit marley.co.nz/find-a-recycling-drop-off

Three trades. One membership. Get practical tools, expert advice and exclusive savings to help grow your plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying business with Master Plumbers. Supporting New Zealand’s PGD industry since 1901.

Become a Master Plumber today at masterplumbers.org.nz/join

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WARM IT UP Think like an athlete! A quick warm-up before work can help reduce injuries on site.

Before starting work each day, plumbers should consider taking a few minutes to warm up their hips, knees and ankles with deep body weight squats, lunges and deadlifts. That’s according to a recent RNZ lifestyle article on tradie wellbeing. Why? Because a 40-hour week on the tools in the construction industry is comparable to an athlete’s movement and output, and plumbers need good knee, hip and ankle mobility to get underneath sinks and houses.

“When you consider what construction workers do for eight hours during their workday— bending, lifting, twisting, pushing, and pulling—a warmup akin to preparation for a sports game makes sense,” says article author Serena Solomon. “That’s especially the case in winter, when construction teams can be greeted with near-freezing temperatures in the morning.”

On the tools

TOOLBOX TIP

Check out additional ways to reduce workplace injuries and manage musculoskeletal issues at www.chasnz.org/work-should-not-hurt

A few warm-up exercises can be especially beneficial in winter.

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The Waikato Guild of Woodworkers bought the historic building for $1 from the council, who contributed $200,000 towards its redevelopment.

FROM WAR WORK TO WOODWORK The Waikato Master Plumbers came to the rescue of a dilapidated munition building in Hamilton, helping transform this historic property into a creative hub for the local Waikato Guild of Woodworkers. WORDS: GILL STARLING

onstructed in 1942, the timber munitions building in East Hamilton’s Flynn Park is thought to be the last of its kind in Australasia.

Proud wartime history The building is part of a much larger complex of 24 structures that made up the Colonial Ammunition Company’s WWII factory, including guards’ huts, accommodation, and

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a recreation centre for the workers—all constructed in a short timeframe in Hamilton after concerns that the existing Aucklandbased factory was at risk of Japanese air attack. The plant employed up to 1,200 people, around 577 of them women. Together, the workforce produced 75 million rounds of ammunition during the first year of operation. Today, the only other buildings to survive are the brick explosive store house

and the nearby Artillery Flats, which housed munitions workers. Earthworks carried out in 2019 to complete Hamilton’s Ring Road unearthed remnants of rounds from the factory. Proper procedures had to be followed by the Council’s Development Group, including having the Bomb Squad from Auckland on site to identify any risk of unexploded ammunition.

On the tools COMMUNITY PROJECT

Photograph courtesy of Hamilton City Libraries HCL_09003.

The Colonial Ammunition Company started production in East Hamilton in June 1942. All women aged between 22 and 25 living in Hamilton and Cambridge were required to register for work in the factory, according to a recent article in the Waikato Times.

Earmarked for demolition Looking at the old building today, it’s hard to imagine it played such a vital role during the war. Most recently used as a hall by the Hamilton Air Cadets, for the last six years it has stood empty, earmarked for demolition by Hamilton City Council. The Waikato Guild of Woodworkers (WGW) had been looking for a new home for many years. This became more pressing when the decision was made to merge with the Hamilton Woodturners Club. WGW sub-committee member Mark de Lisle had been keeping an eye on the old building. His background as an architect and his familiarity with the original plant made him confident that it had good bones. “The council only gave us a matter of minutes to look inside the hall because of seismic risk concerns, but I knew it had potential,” says Mark. The Council sold the hall to the WGW for $1 and contributed $200,000 towards its redevelopment. However, with the work estimated to cost a hefty $700,000, the WGW still had considerable fundraising to do.

Plumbers to the ready It was at this stage that the Guild approached Mike Wilson, President of the Waikato Master Plumbers Branch. Mike regards the hall as one of Hamilton’s iconic buildings. “I’ve been driving past it for the last 30 years, so the chance to help with the redevelopment felt like a good thing to do,” he says. Members from the Executive Committee had a site meeting with the Guild and together they decided to take on the project. It’s no exaggeration to say that everything needed to be done. Water and power had been disconnected years ago, and there were no plans that outlined where services had been. A drainage inspection with CCTV needed to be carried out and a new site layout prepared. There was the backflow philosophy, an alteration to the existing sewer drainage for the new layout, a new water main and backflow device. Inside, three toilets were installed (one is wheelchair accessible), along with two wash hand basins, one kitchenette, a 135L hot water cylinder, a laundry tub and new hose taps around the building.

Now, women will more likely be found using the old munition factory building for woodturning projects, such as this one.

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On the tools COMMUNITY PROJECT

Masterlink subsidised the apprentices, who gained valuable on-job experience working with people they hadn’t met before. Shown here is apprentice Mason Tombleson from C F Reese Plumbing.

Collaborative contribution Around 12 plumbers have been involved, including project managers, tradespeople and apprentices. Masterlink stepped in to subsidise the 3rd- and 4th-year apprentices and the plumbing products were all gifted by local supply companies. Mike says the contributions from Plumbing World, GWA, Marley and Rheem have been invaluable. “Tricky” is the word he uses to describe lining up the work with plumbers from a number of firms. The usual method of a weekend working bee was never going to be suﬃcient, so the plumbers got out their calendars and came up with an alternative plan. Mike believes the apprentices gained valuable on-job experience because they had to organise themselves and work with people they weren’t familiar with.

“The council only gave us a matter of minutes to look inside the hall because of seismic risk concerns, but I knew it had potential.” Mark de Lisle

Waikato Guild of Woodworkers

One aspect of the project that intrigued everyone was the 1940s’ ‘graffiti’ discovered behind the internal walls. The factory workers consigned to history their poor opinion of one of their workmates along with lists of the wounded and prisoners of war. The Guild will keep some of these chalk messages accessible behind vision panels.

Exciting times ahead

Waikato Master Plumbers President Mike Wilson with the Kava Cup award outside the hall, which is looking in much happier shape.

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“Beyond our wildest dreams” is how Mark de Lisle describes the contribution by the Waikato Master Plumbers. The Guild can’t wait to have generous workshop spaces, including one for loud machinery, a space for carving and even room for other crafts if more people want to join. There are about 100 members of the WGW currently, but Mark imagines the club becoming more popular and more diverse. He says it’s great seeing younger people and more women getting into woodwork. For his part, Mike is proud the Waikato Master Plumbers have helped make this legacy project a reality that will provide Hamilton with a wonderful creative hub for future generations.

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6/9/2024 3:07 PM

On the tools BATHROOM & KITCHEN TECHNOLOGIES

HOT WATER CALCULATOR

A new tailored tool from EECA is helping plumbers have easier hot water conversations with customers. AUTHOR: EECA (ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITY)

hen a customer’s hot water cylinder needs replacing, the first question is often, “How much will it cost?” Increasingly, though, there’s a second question: “What will it cost to run?” With energy prices front of mind for many New Zealand households, customers are looking beyond the purchase price and thinking about the long-term cost of ownership. For plumbers, that creates both a challenge and an opportunity. To help make those conversations easier, EECA has partnered with Master Plumbers to develop a new hot water calculator—a free online tool available to members on the Master Plumbers website that compares the estimated running costs of different hot water systems based on a customer’s household.

Practical tool for real conversations The calculator was developed in response to feedback from the plumbing industry itself. Research undertaken by EECA and Master Plumbers found that, while customers are asking more questions about energy costs and new technologies, plumbers wanted practical resources rather than more theory. In particular, many said that evidence of running-cost savings would help them recommend products with greater confidence, while others wanted tools they could use during customer conversations rather than after the job. The result is a simple, mobile-friendly calculator that takes less than a minute to use. After entering a few household details— including postcode, number of occupants, and the customer’s existing hot water system—the calculator estimates annual running costs across a range of hot water options, from bottled LPG through to a hot water heat pump.

Behind the scenes, it uses regional electricity pricing, household water-use models, and technology performance data to provide an independent comparison. Rather than telling customers what they should buy, it provides objective information that helps them understand the long-term implications of their decision.

Moving beyond upfront cost Replacing a hot water system is an infrequent purchase. Most homeowners aren’t comparing coefficients of performance or studying appliance specifications. They’re relying on the advice of the trusted professional standing in front of them. That’s why the calculator focuses on one of the questions customers understand most readily: ongoing running costs. By shifting the conversation from purchase price alone to whole-of-life operating costs, plumbers can help customers make more informed decisions that suit their home, family and budget. Whether they ultimately choose an electric cylinder, gas system or hot water heat pump, they’ll have a clearer picture of what each option is likely to cost over time.

TECHNICAL THEME

of the largest contributors to residential power bills. As more households look for ways to manage energy costs, plumbers are increasingly being asked about efficiency as well as installation. The new calculator is designed to support those discussions without making them more complicated. It gives plumbers credible, independent information they can use while standing beside the cylinder, helping customers weigh up their options quickly and confidently.

Part of a wider programme The hot water calculator is one part of a broader collaboration between EECA and Master Plumbers to support the industry as new hot water technologies become more common. Alongside the calculator, the partnership includes independent hot water heat pump performance trials, training resources, installation guidance, and practical customer materials to help plumbers stay ahead of changing technology and growing customer expectations. With plenty of New Zealand homes reaching the point where ageing hot water systems need replacing, having reliable information at your fingertips can make all the difference. The new hot water calculator won’t replace your expertise—it simply gives you another practical tool to support the advice your customers already trust.

The calculator is available now at masterplumbers.org.nz/hotwatercalculator

Supporting trusted advice The partnership reflects the important role plumbers play as trusted advisers. Research commissioned by EECA found that around 91% of New Zealanders see plumbers as trusted advisers, placing the profession among the country’s most trusted occupations. That’s a significant opportunity as hot water technology continues to evolve, and customer expectations change. Hot water accounts for around one-third of household energy use, making it one

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On the tools BATHROOM & KITCHEN TECHNOLOGIES

George Methven, a Scottish immigrant, established his iron and brass foundry in Dunedin in 1886.

TECHNICAL THEME

This staff photo was taken in 1923.

METHVEN CELEBRATES 140 YEARS OF INNOVATION This year marks 140 years since George Methven began his iron and brass foundry in Dunedin, with Methven going on to become a household name.

ethven’s story begins with George Methven, a Scottish immigrant who established the business in Dunedin in 1886. An innovator and inventor, his company was listed as mechanical engineers, iron and brass founders, agricultural implement maker, blacksmiths and duplicators of all makers’ implements. Then, in 1896, Methven began manufacturing taps and copper laundry vessels—engineering the solutions to meet household demand. George Methven was succeeded by John Arthur Brown, who led the company for 24 years. A significant step forward for the plumbing industry was taken in 1995 with the launch of Fastflow, Methven’s unique technology to solve unequal water pressure in homes, featuring easy cartridge serviceability. Fastflow II followed in 2020. Then came Satinjet in 2004—a luxurious shower experience created by colliding jets of water. A wide array of Satinjet shower ranges has followed, including Maku, Waipori and Kea.

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A decade after setting up in business, Methven branched out into manufacturing taps and copper laundry vessels to meet the new household demand.

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BUILT FOR THE TRADE

Continuously innovating, Methven's Satinjet, Aurajet and Vjet showering technologies ensure a luxurious showering experience in homes and hotels around the world.

The same year saw another major step forward for Methven, with its launch in Australia, followed by China in 2006, and the UK in 2011. In 2015, Methven launched the next generation of showering technology, Aurajet‚ delivering their most advanced showering experience yet. VJet followed three years later, combining elegant design with the durability of stainless steel. George Methven’s legacy and his enormous contribution to the New Zealand industry and economy was acknowledged in 2017, when he was inducted into the NZ Business Hall of Fame. With 140 years of manufacturing excellence behind them, Methven are built to last—and built for what’s next.

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Methven introduced a gamechanger in 1995, with the launch of its unique Fastflow technology.

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On the tools BATHROOM & KITCHEN TECHNOLOGIES

TECHNICAL THEME

Isolation valves in a home save the plumber time searching for the toby and having to turn off the water supply to the whole house.

THE SMALLEST VALVE ON SITE Isolation valve, or no isolation valve? That is the question. And the answer can make all the difference to your day...

AUTHOR: AQUALINE, SUPPLIERS OF THE ULTRATAPS™ ISOLATION VALVE RANGE

ou never really notice an isolation valve. It just sits there under the sink, doing nothing. Quiet. Out of the way. Until the day you actually need it. That’s usually when you find out what you’ve got... or haven’t got!

Easy job Customer’s already got a bucket under their leak—always a sign they’ve given up. You reach in, turn the valve off. Water stops. No drama. No one in the house even notices. Swap out the fitting, turn it back on, check for leaks. Done. Ten minutes. Customer reckons you’re a magician. Truth is, the job was decided years ago—when someone installed a valve that just works.

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Then there’s the other kind Same job. Same leak. Open the cupboard and straight away you know—this one’s not going to be 10 minutes. No isolation. “So can you just turn the water off?” your customer asks. Yep—no worries—just the whole house. Next minute you’re outside in the rain trying to find the toby, wondering why it’s always buried just enough to be annoying. Finally get it shut down. Back inside. Now you’ve got a countdown running in your head before someone turns a tap on somewhere they shouldn’t. That 10-minute job turns into something else entirely. Same leak. Completely different outcome.

The presence of a small isolation valve has a big impact when your customer reports a leak.

Safe, great tasting water straight from the existing kitchen tap

And then there’s the valve that looks fine… until you touch it Customer says: “I tried turning it off for you.” That’s never a good start. You give it a nudge and it starts weeping from the stem like it’s been waiting for its moment. Bit of tape where tape shouldn’t be. Something else jammed in there for good measure. What was a slow drip is now a proper leak. You don’t say anything. Just get on with it. Happens all the time. Funny thing is, it’s rarely the leak that makes the job hard. It’s the valve. When it works, you don’t think about it. When it doesn’t, it’s the only thing you can think about. Seized. Awkward. Starts leaking. Or not there at all. That’s what stretches jobs out, not the actual repair. And that’s where design starts to matter a bit more than people give it credit for. Not in a brochure way—just in a ’does it make your day easier or not’ way. If you’re working on mains pressure, you want something that can handle it without needing extra gear. If you’re dealing with hot water, you need it to hold up properly. If you’re under a sink with three things crammed into a space for one, anything helps that saves fittings and lets you line things up properly. Little things, but they add up. Loose nut options so you’re not fighting the outlet while tightening the inlet. Dual outlets so you’re not building a mess of fittings just to run a dishwasher and a filter. Even something as simple as a head you can actually get hold of and turn quickly makes a difference when you’re reaching into a tight space.

Same goes at the counter You know what it’s like—you’re trying to grab what you need and get back on site, not decode packaging. Big labels. Clear markings. Easy to see what’s what. And if it actually turns up looking the same as it did on the shelf—not scratched up from bouncing around loose—even better. No one really thinks about isolation valves when they’re putting a job together. They’re not the main event. But they are the bit that decides how things go later on. You only need to get caught once—stuck valve, leaking stem, whole house off for a simple job—and you start paying a bit more attention. Because most of the time, it’s not the big pieces that catch you out. It’s the small ones. The ones tucked under the sink, doing nothing… right up until the moment they need to do everything.

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On the tools BATHROOM & KITCHEN TECHNOLOGIES

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SHOWER TRAY A practical guide for installers

Getting the tray right the first time saves callbacks, so it pays to know your options, as Athena Clearlite explains.

hoosing a shower tray involves more than just picking the correct size. Going with the cheapest option often doesn’t end up saving you money in the long run. Get it right and the job flows smoothly. Get it wrong and you’re back on site dealing with callbacks, leaks, or an unhappy client. Here’s what you need to know.

Tray types and when to use each Acrylic trays are lightweight, more affordable and quicker to install. Fibreglass reinforced acrylic shower trays have been proven over many years throughout NZ in high-use bathrooms and in many commercial projects. Tile-over trays use a high-density polyurethane, stainless steel, or aluminium base designed to be tiled over. They’re the go-to for high-end or bespoke installs where the client wants a fully custom finish. These are typically more expensive, take longer to install and most likely will require a consent.

One-piece acrylic trays like Clearlite’s SureSeal trays (full perimeter upstand design) are the practical choice for most residential projects. The fall is built in; they are supplied with glue and an easy clean waste. There’s no waterproof membrane to worry about or loss of time while the membrane is curing. Athena’s SlateForma trays take this further with a one-piece tiled look. They have a gel-coat finish and are just 25mm high, plus come with a factory-fitted 30mm upstand for peace of mind. These can be rebated in for near level-entry look if required. Neither the acrylic trays nor the Athena SlateForma trays rely on a waterproof membrane under them as tiled showers do. Both options can be fitted with acrylic wall liners or tiled walls.

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

A few things consistently cause problems on site. Wrong tray size: Even a small mismatch can cause leaks and door alignment issues. Measure carefully and factor in how the door set will work. Expanding foam under the tray: Avoid it. See the correct method in the Clearlite installation video at clearlite.co.nz Weight on the tray after gluing: This pushes out the adhesive and causes problems later. 90° bend straight off the waste: This reduces flow rate. Leave a straight run before adding in bends. Oversized cut-outs under the tray: These compromise support and should be avoided.

Athena’s SlateForma® composite shower tray provides a tiled-look finish with no grout lines and can be rebated for level entry.

TECHNICAL THEME

New build or renovation? The answer to this matters before you spec anything. New builds give you more flexibility around substrate prep and waste positioning. Renovations are trickier, as you’re working around existing structures and, depending on the scope of the job, a building consent may be required. If in doubt, check with the homeowner or their designer before work starts.

Accessibility and future-proofing Think about who will use the shower, not just today but down the track. Level or near level-entry trays make a real difference for older users or anyone with mobility needs. SlateForma can be rebated to create a near level-entry threshold without requiring a membrane, making it a smart choice for accessible bathrooms.

5 THINGS TO KNOW WHEN CHOOSING A SHOWER TRAY 1. Know your tray types Acrylic trays (glass-reinforced) suit most budgets. Tile-over trays work well for high-end custom finishes. One-piece trays are the go-to for most residential installs. 2. New build or renovation? Renovations mean working around existing structures and potentially needing a building consent, depending on job requirements. Know what you’re working on before you spec anything. 3. Think about accessibility from the start Level or near level-entry trays future-proof the bathroom. 4. Reduce leak risk with right tray system The cheapest option rarely ends up the most cost-effective. One-piece trays, like Clearlite SureSeal and Athena SlateForma, don’t rely on a membrane under the tray, cutting the biggest source of callbacks. 5. Install it right or pay later Every tray must go in level (1mm out on the floor = 2mm adjustment at the wall). Glue correctly, don’t load while it sets, no expanding foam, no oversized cut-outs, and no 90° bend straight off the waste. Watch the Clearlite installation video: clearlite.co.nz

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On the tools BATHROOM & KITCHEN TECHNOLOGIES

TECHNICAL THEME

FIXED SPEED VS VARIABLE SPEED PUMPS Which pump is right for the job—fixed speed or variable speed? Davey has advice.

s plumbers, you’re often asked to recommend a pump without knowing exactly how the customer will use their water. One home might have a single bathroom and one outdoor tap, while another could have three bathrooms, a kitchen, laundry and irrigation all running at the same time. Understanding the difference between a fixed speed and a variable speed pump helps you recommend the right solution for the application, rather than simply the cheapest option.

Fixed speed pumps A fixed speed pump runs at full speed every time it starts. It’s either ON or OFF, with no ability to adjust to changing water demand. A good example is the Davey HS60-08T or Davey HM90-08T. These are excellent pressure pumps for straightforward domestic water supply applications where reliability and simplicity are the priority. Imagine a customer filling a glass of water at the kitchen sink. Even though only

A fixed speed pump, like the Davey HS60-08T, is a good option for straightforward domestic water supply applications.

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a small amount of water is required, the pump is still running at 100% speed. The same thing happens if they’re watering the garden or using one shower. While fixed speed pumps are reliable and cost-effective, they can result in: Higher energy use Pressure fluctuations when multiple outlets are used More wear and tear from frequent starting and stopping. For many homes, they’re still an excellent choice. The key is selecting the right application.

Variable speed pumps A Variable Speed Drive (VSD) pump automatically adjusts its motor speed to match the amount of water being used, maintaining constant pressure throughout the home. Take, for example, the Davey EvoDrive ED60-09 as an entry-level residential VSD system, or the Davey DynaDrive for larger homes and higher demand applications. Picture a busy family home on a weekday morning: Someone’s in the shower.

A Variable Speed Drive (VSD) pump, such as the Davey EvoDrive ED60-09, adjusts its motor speed to match the amount of water being used to maintain constant pressure throughout the home.

The dishwasher is running. A toilet flushes. Someone turns on the kitchen tap. A fixed speed pump simply keeps running at full speed. A variable speed pump senses the increased demand and smoothly increases its speed to maintain consistent pressure. As outlets are turned off, it slows down again, only using the energy actually needed. For homeowners, that means: More consistent shower pressure Lower power bills Quieter operation Longer pump life. For plumbers, it means fewer customer complaints about fluctuating pressure and a premium solution that genuinely adds value.

The takeaway There isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ pump. A fixed speed pump remains a fantastic option for many domestic installations where demand is relatively consistent and budget is a key consideration. However, if your customer is building a larger home, renovating, installing multiple bathrooms, or simply wants the best possible shower experience, a variable speed system is well worth discussing. As a plumber, you’re not just installing a pump. You’re helping customers choose a water system that suits the way they live. Understanding when to recommend a fixed speed pump versus a variable speed pump is another way you can add value, build trust and deliver a better long-term outcome for them.

About the author: Davey is a local brand, owned by Waterco and headquartered in Melbourne, where they design and manufacture an extensive range of efficient, easy-to-use, connected, quiet solutions for pool care, water pressure/ management and water treatment/filtration. daveywater.com | sales@dwp.co.nz | 0800 654 333

Bathrooms

We didn’t come down in the last walk in shower Plumbing

On the tools BATHROOM & KITCHEN TECHNOLOGIES

TECHNICAL THEME

MARKING A MILESTONE 10 YEARS OF VODA Founded in 2016, Voda Plumbingware has spent the past decade building trusted relationships with plumbers, merchants and homeowners across New Zealand.

his year marks a significant milestone for Voda Plumbingware, as the New Zealand owned brand celebrates its tenth anniversary. Founder Jon Doherty says Voda was established with a clear vision—to provide an exclusive tapware brand dedicated to supporting specialist plumbing merchants and plumbers, while delivering products developed for New Zealand’s unique water conditions. “We set out to build a business centred on quality products, reliable service and strong industry relationships,” says Jon. “We also wanted to work closely with plumbers to ensure we had the right products for New Zealand conditions.” Like many emerging brands, Voda’s early years were focused on establishing a

reputation and earning the confidence of merchants, plumbers and customers in an already competitive marketplace. As Jon says: “Building trust takes time.” That commitment to relationships became one of the foundations of the company’s success. Over the past decade, New Zealand’s building and plumbing sectors have experienced considerable change, yet Voda has continued to strengthen its position within the market. “Having quality products, at the right price and in stock are key drivers,” says Jon. “Having the right culture in our business also helps to make us successful. “One of the things I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve built. We have a great group of people who genuinely enjoy what they do, share the same values and

Voda Plumbingware founder Jon Doherty says the support from plumbers and resellers in Voda’s formative years was really special.

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are always striving to deliver the best experience possible for our customers. Without everyone’s contribution over the years, Voda wouldn’t be where it is today.” From sales and customer service through to factory operations and aftersales support, the company places a strong emphasis on delivering a positive experience at every stage of the customer journey. Combined with comprehensive warranty support and fast nationwide delivery, this customer-first approach has helped establish long-term relationships throughout the industry. As the business has grown, so too has its product portfolio. Collections such as Storm have become synonymous with the Voda brand, combining contemporary design, performance and a range of modern finishes suited to today’s spaces. Voda’s anniversary year sees the introduction of the Onyx collection (see page 73). Developed to mark the company’s 10-year milestone, Onyx offers customers a choice of two interchangeable handle designs included with most products, allowing them to tailor the look to suit their personal style and giving them the flexibility to refresh the aesthetic in the future. For Jon, a highlight has been the encouragement and backing the Voda brand received in its formative years. “The early support for the brand from plumbers and resellers was really special.” Voda sees the 10-year anniversary not as a destination, but the beginning of its next chapter. “Voda is a young company, and we are only getting started,” says Jon. “The next ten years will be the most exciting.” As it celebrates a decade in business, Voda remains focused on the values that helped establish the brand—quality products, exceptional service, trusted relationships and a team committed to supporting New Zealand’s plumbing industry for many years to come.

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On the tools BATHROOM & KITCHEN TECHNOLOGIES

TECHNICAL THEME

SPECIFYING FOR SOCIAL HOUSING Social housing frequently places high demands on ﬁxtures and ﬁttings for bathrooms and kitchens. Allproof has advice on specifying durable technologies. WORDS: ANDREW SMITH, SPECIFICATION MANAGER, ALLPROOF INDUSTRIES

hen specifying products for social housing projects, the initial installation cost must be weighed against long-term, in-service demands, particularly ongoing maintenance and service life. Consideration must also be given to how ﬁxtures integrate with other building systems. Selecting proven solutions that interact seamlessly with other installation elements ensures efficient supply, installation, and sign-off timelines, while guaranteeing the ﬁnished result performs as expected.

ABOVE: Floor wastes are frequently speciﬁed in social housing kitchen areas to manage accidental spillage. LEFT: Where high-wall heat pumps are speciﬁed, a general-purpose outlet allows condensate to be collected via a compliant, wall-recessed tundish before being piped away.

Shower tray selection In bathroom applications, shower tray selection has significant flow-on effects for other design elements. A stainless-steel tray provides a durable base for high-demand shower areas. Traditional easy-clean or basket wastes often require frequent maintenance callouts and complicate passive fire protection. Specifying a floor waste gully eliminates the need for these wastes. Additionally, an 80mm pipe riser accommodates tested passive fire solutions, such as drop-in fire collars. Stainless steel shower trays offer increased durability compared to acrylic alternatives, eliminating the risk of cracking and subsequent leaks into adjoining tenancies.

Washing machine services Traditionally, washing machine services are supplied via two surfacemounted wall taps and a PVC pipe upstand. These exposed ﬁxtures

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are susceptible to damage or tampering in service. Allproof’s Laundry Outlet Box recesses the taps and waste pipe connections behind the wall lining, allowing appliances to sit ﬂush against the wall. Using a 50mm glued trap eliminates the requirement for waste access panels, enabling the waste to be piped directly into the wastewater system.

Tundish installations Using a tundish in a safe tray to manage both hot water cylinder valves and tray overﬂow reduces ﬂoor penetrations and provides necessary installation redundancies. Where high-wall heat

Visit our Gas Business Hub for resources to share with customers, and the latest info on the role of gas today and into the future.

ABOVE: A floor waste gully eliminates the need for a basket waste beneath a stainless steel shower tray, while an 80mm pipe riser accommodates tested passive fire solutions, such as drop-in fire collars. BELOW: Using a tundish in a safe tray to manage hot water cylinder valves and tray overflow reduces floor penetrations.

pumps are specified, a general-purpose outlet allows condensate to be collected via a compliant, wall-recessed tundish before being piped away. This simplifies the installation and reduces component count by eliminating the need to supply, fit, and maintain a condensate pump. Furthermore, both these fixtures provide the facility to charge a floor waste. Floor wastes are frequently specified in kitchen areas to manage accidental spillage. This system includes a floor waste gully (FWG), which must be ‘charged’—supplied with water to maintain the trap’s air seal and prevent the emission of foul odours. Under AS/NZS 3500.2 (Clause 4.6.7), a floor waste cannot be charged from a kitchen sink due to the volume of solid waste discharged. A system-based approach utilising a hot water cylinder tundish or a general-purpose outlet box provides a compliant primer to charge the FWG. The standard permits the charging tundish to be located in an adjacent room (within 10 metres), resolving the complexities of maintaining the FWG water seal in a kitchen. In bathrooms, other fixtures such as basins or showers typically fulfil this charging requirement. Sourcing proven, trade-ready solutions from a reliable local manufacturer reduces project complexity, minimises Requests for Information (RFIs), and streamlines the installation process from initial specification through to building consent and Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) issuance. Allproof’s focus on system-based solutions simplifies technical detailing and delivers durable installations that reduce the whole-of-life costs for social housing developments.

Stay connected. Scan to subscribe to our quarterly Gas Matters e-newsletter.

Wouldn’t be without it.

THREE PAGES OF PRODUCT INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE TO HELP YOU IN YOUR WORK AND INSPIRE YOUR CUSTOMERS.

IO Test Plug

A smarter way to pressure test DWV systems

Completing Nero’s Mecca Collection With refined 3-piece designs

The Mecca Collection from Nero continues to evolve with the introduction of refined new 3-piece configurations, offering greater design flexibility across contemporary bathroom spaces. Designed for projects that call for balanced proportions and considered detailing, these new additions bring a classic, symmetrical layout to the collection while maintaining Mecca’s clean architectural identity. Defined by soft curves, precise lines and a restrained modern presence, the 3-piece designs integrate seamlessly with the existing Mecca range. Their versatility supports cohesive specification across basin, bath and shower applications, helping designers create a consistent look throughout the home. This expansion completes the collection as a more comprehensive design system, giving designers and homeowners greater freedom to select solutions that suit different layouts without compromising visual continuity. Available in multiple finishes, the new Mecca 3-piece designs combine refined aesthetics, practical functionality and lasting consistency for modern bathroom design for residential projects and commercial applications alike, across many applications.

Clearlite Raya Shower Less frame, more freedom

Clearlite’s new Raya Shower replaces the popular Millennium Shower, bringing a sleeker, minimalframe design to the range without changing the price point plumbers and clients already know. For installers, the SureSeal tray takes the guesswork out of waterproofing, while the reduced framing means faster, simpler fit-outs across standard and accessible bathrooms alike. Backed by a 10-year warranty, Raya is built for the long haul, giving trade partners confidence to recommend it across new builds and renovations. Available from August 2026, Raya is ready to spec, order and install—no transition headaches, no surprises. Clearlite Bathrooms: reliable, family-friendly showers built for New Zealand homes. Visit clearlite.co.nz 72

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The new, award-winning IO Test Plug, brought to you by Marley, is a simple innovation designed to make DWV stack testing faster, safer and cleaner for plumbers. Designed to fit Vinidex 100DN inspection openings, the patented plug provides a secure seal while eliminating many of the frustrations associated with traditional test plugs. The clever finger-pull handle makes insertion and removal easy, reducing the risk of trapped hands when reaching into pipework. An integrated keyway ensures correct alignment every time, while the adjustable rubber seal delivers a reliable, gap-free fit. Unlike conventional plugs that require you to reach right into the pipework and can disappear down the drain, the IO Test Plug stays secure and helps prevent water spills when removed. Built for repeated use, it offers a practical solution that saves time and mess on site and helps make compliance testing easier.

Pipe and fittings sold separately.

On the tools PRODUCTS & SERVICES

New from Voda Plumbingware

The concealed in-wall body can be installed during first fitout, allowing gib stopping, waterproofing, and tiling to be completed before the decorative trim is fitted. This reduces the risk of damage to finished components and gives greater flexibility— both during construction and for the end user, with trims able to be updated in the future without replacing the body.

Onyx Collection

Celebrating 10 years of innovation Marking a decade of premium tapware, Voda Plumbingware has unveiled its newest collection, Onyx—a refined expression of craftsmanship, versatility and contemporary New Zealand style. This new range has been thoughtfully designed to offer greater personalisation, with two handle options included*. Voda’s unique approach allows merchants, plumbers and homeowners to tailor the aesthetic to suit a wide range of interiors without compromising on performance. The collection also introduces Brushed Bronze (pictured), Voda’s newest finish, bringing a warm, contemporary aesthetic to the range. Manufactured from lead-free 304 stainless steel, Onyx combines elegant detailing with practical fingerprint-resistant finishes. Every Voda product is backed by a comprehensive 10-year warranty, including the PVD finish. The collection reflects the values that have shaped Voda since 2016—enduring design, reliable functionality and products engineered specifically for New Zealand conditions. * Interchangeable options are included with all Onyx products with a handle, excluding VOX27 which is available in grooved only. Visit vodaplumbingware.co.nz for details.

Voda Refresh™

Engineered for installers Designed to evolve Voda’s new in-wall Voda Refresh™ mixer system is designed to make installation easier while delivering a precision fit and finish.

Unlike many trim kits that simply push into position, Voda Refresh™ features screw on trim sets that thread securely onto the in-wall body, providing a stable connection for a solid, premium result at final fit off. Voda’s addition of in-cast lugs also ensures a quicker installation. Initially launching with the new Onyx collection, this smart system has been engineered with input from professional plumbers—delivering a secure installation, streamlined fit-off and the quality expected from a premium tapware brand. Onyx Refresh features a 35mm European cartridge ensuring superior flow, and like all Voda products, Voda Refresh™ is backed by a comprehensive 10-year warranty, including PVD colour finishes.

Makita HS014GZ Circular Saw Tough, cordless, and job-ready

REHAU introduces RAUSOLA™

High-performance PE-RT II underfloor heating pipe

RAUSOLA™ is designed to deliver consistent, energy-efficient comfort for modern residential applications. Engineered for lowtemperature systems up to 60°C and 6 bar, RAUSOLA™ provides reliable, even heat distribution exactly where it is needed. The system incorporates an integrated EVOH oxygen barrier to protect system components from corrosion and ensure long-term durability, while delivering permanent, leak-tight connections. Installers benefit from immediate pressure testing and suitability for in-slab connections, reducing installation time, waste, and risk. Developed as part of REHAU’s proven system approach, RAUSOLA™ ensures dependable performance in concealed underfloor heating installations. In New Zealand, RAUSOLA™ is exclusively distributed by WarmNZ, ensuring local availability and expert support for plumbing professionals, consultants, and homeowners seeking a robust and cost-effective hydronic heating solution.

Built for professionals who need reliable power and precision on site, the Makita HS014GZ 40Vmax XGT 125mm Circular Saw delivers when it counts. The high efficiency brushless motor, paired with Automatic Torque Drive Technology (ADT), gives you the grunt to rip through 45mm framing timber in a single pass, automatically adjusting power to keep cuts smooth under load. When you’re working tight, the tool-less removable sub base and 15° negative bevel make close to wall cutting easy, while still giving you up to 45° for standard bevel work. Fine depth adjustment, accurate base alignment, and a solid aluminium base plate mean cleaner, straighter cuts without second guessing your setup. With Anti Kickback Feedback sensing Technology (AFT) built in, you get added control and peace of mind on tough cuts. Tough, cordless, and job ready—this is a saw made to keep up with you all day. nzplumber

On the tools PRODUCTS & SERVICES

City Lite delivers premium design

Plus practical installation advantages

Inspired by St Michel’s premium City collection, City Lite brings distinctive inlay cabinetry to the Essentials Collection, offering a valuefocused alternative with streamlined options at a lower cost. Manufactured in New Zealand, City Lite focuses on popular sizes, finishes and basin options while maintaining the craftsmanship St Michel is known for. The inlay cabinetry allows the vanity to sit closer to adjoining walls, maximising space in corner installations. Available with benchtop or console basin configurations, City Lite introduces the new Cleo mineral cast basin with a clean architectural design. The Matte White Cleo basin is supplied without a pre-drilled tap hole, making it ideal for wall-mounted tapware. For basin-mounted tapware, a drill kit is supplied as standard, with a moulded drill location guide underneath for accurate tap hole positioning. Console basin options include Cleo mineral cast or ceramic designs, both available in Gloss White and Matte White. Visit your nearest St Michel merchant and ask for the City Lite brochure.

DOME Davey Product Training The free way to upskill

If you’re keen to upskill in pumping, water treatment and pool, Davey have just the tool. DOME is an online learning portal offering module-based content under broad sections. Each module includes a short video (2-3 minutes) followed by a few questions to test your knowledge. As you complete each module, the next is unlocked. The short modules make it easy to learn something new any time you have a few minutes spare. Your progress is tracked, so you can easily see what you’ve completed—and you can dive into any section of learning, depending on what you need and when you need it.

PUMPING FUNDAMENTALS MODULE

Save yourself (and your customer) the drama of installing the wrong pump. The Pumping Fundamentals module will teach you how to spec a pump and ensure you get the rightsized pump for a job every time. Scan the QR code to get started. https://daveywaterproducts. litmos.com.au/self-signup

(Use code DAVEY-NZ for immediate access)

Zenith HydroTap

Introducing Brushed Bronze

LeVivi Basin Timer Tap Ideal for small basins or vanities

In response to trade requests, Plumbing World is pleased to introduce the LeVivi Basin Timer Tap. Designed for high-use spaces with water restrictions, the LeVivi Timer Tap is ideal for small basins or vanities. With approximately 10 seconds (+/-) of water delivery, it’s a practical solution for specifications where water conservation is essential. Constructed from WaterMark lead-free DR brass and featuring a single water feed (hot, cold or mixed), installation is straightforward—helping maximise returns on quoted fit-off time. For more information, contact the Plumbing World team today. 74

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Zenith HydroTap’s new Brushed Bronze finish offers a contemporary yet timeless way to introduce warmth, sophistication and understated luxury into today’s kitchens. Designed to complement warm neutrals, earthy palettes, timbers and natural stone surfaces, Brushed Bronze provides an elegant alternative to traditional chrome and matte black fixtures, creating a softer, more inviting ambience. Combining sophisticated aesthetics with innovative water technology, the new

Brushed Bronze Zenith HydroTap delivers both style and performance. Enjoy instant access to boiling, chilled and sparkling filtered water, supported by advanced MicroPurity filtration technology that ensures consistent delivery of clean, great-tasting water.

New & improved white Now a perfect match

Soudal have upgraded Pureseal Bathroom & Kitchen White, now reformulated to perfectly match today’s bathroom furniture and fittings. Cleaner, brighter, and designed to blend seamlessly for a professional finish every time. Whether you’re sealing around basins, showers or plumbing fixtures,

Pureseal’s improved white ensures your work looks as good as it performs. Crisp new white tone Flawless colour match with bathroom ware Trade trusted performance Master Plumbers Recommended. When the finish matters, trust Pureseal to get the job done.

FUTURE

THE OF PIPE RELINING IS COMING TO NEW ZEALAND.

WIN AN APS QUICK LINE STARTER PACK The APS Quick Line UV System is an Australian designed and manufactured UV cured pull in place pipe relining system built for speed, reliability, and versatility.

To celebrate No Dig New Zealand 2026, APS in conjunction with Quick Line gear is giving one New Zealand contractor the opportunity to win a complete Quick Line Starter Pack.

Suitable for DN50 to DN225 pipelines, it enables contractors to complete full length pipe relining and junction repairs using a single platform.

Simply complete the online entry form and visit the APS stand to validate your entry, and go into the draw to become one of New Zealand's first Quick Line contractors.

With rapid UV curing times, reduced installation time, and consistent high quality results, Quick Line has been proven on civil infrastructure, water authority, commercial, and residential projects across New Zealand.

The winner will receive everything needed to begin delivering professional UV pipe relining and junction repair services, backed by APS training, technical support, and ongoing partnership.

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✓ NZ branded APS Quick Line UV Power Unit ✓ UV Light Cores for rapid curing of liners ✓ Junction repair equipment ✓ Brawoliner liner starter pack ✓ Installation accessories and consumables ✓ APS product training and technical support

ABOUT APS - AUSTRALIAN PIPELINING SUPPLIES Australian Pipelining Supplies (APS) is Australia and New Zealand’s leading supplier of premium pipe relining equipment and materials. We help contractors across Australia and New Zealand grow their businesses with innovative relining tech, expert training, and ongoing technical support - not just another supplier, but a business partner.

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18 FINALISTS. TWO TITLES. ONE NATIONAL FINAL. The regional finals may be complete, but the biggest challenge is still to come.

This October, Hamilton will welcome 10 Young Plumber of the Year finalists and, for the very first time, 8 Apprentice Young Plumber of the Year finalists as they compete for national honours. The Young Plumber of the Year competition continues to showcase and reward the exceptional skills, professionalism and passion of the next generation. Good luck to all of our National Finalists.

2026 Young Plumber of the Year National Final Claudelands, Hamilton | 14 October 2026 THANKS TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS

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BUSINESS BRIEF

RESIDENT VISA CHANGES FOR SKILLED MIGRANTS

Business smarts

Stay up to date with the latest changes on the Immigration New Zealand website.

More changes have been made to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.

On 24 August, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) made changes to the points system for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (SMC). Two new SMC pathways have also been added, and the wage threshold (median wage) rules have changed. Workers may be affected if they: are already working in NZ and planning to apply for an SMC Resident Visa are relying on a qualification to get points do not currently meet the 6-point threshold, or work in a trades or technician role.

The two new added pathways are: Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician. From 24 August, workers will only need to meet the SMC wage threshold that was in place when they started gaining skilled work experience. This means their current job or job offer must meet the rate that applied at that time. This change also applies to the new Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways.

Find out more at immigration.govt.nz

nzplumber

Business smarts TAX & FINANCE

Staying on top of tax

the earlier penalties remain. He could have saved money—and stress—by getting in touch earlier.

3. Not paying attention to GST

Inland Revenue shares three case studies to highlight how trades businesses can best handle tax debt.

ost tradespeople will miss a tax payment at some point. It might be because they’re busy on the tools, or because they haven’t been paid yet. But there are good ways—and bad ways—to handle that debt, as these case studies show.

1. Getting onto it quickly Mel* has missed PAYE and GST payments from time to time over the past few years. But her tax agent spots the issue early and gets her sorted. In March, she realised she’d missed her income tax payment and didn’t have the cash to pay it. Instead of panicking, she contacted Inland Revenue and asked to pay it off over six monthly instalments. Inland Revenue agreed the next day. As long as she sticks to the plan, no further late payment penalties will be added.

started to go through a divorce. Added to the emotional pressure, finances were getting hard, with legal fees, and the costs of living alone. And work was drying up. For almost a year he ignored his tax agent and Inland Revenue. Penalties and interest continued to build. Eventually he went onto Inland Revenue’s website and set up an instalment arrangement. It was approved within a few days. Though work picked up again, cashflow was still slow. Twice he had to speak with Inland Revenue to add new debt into the payment plan. So far, he’s managed to keep up with the agreed payments. If they continue, no further penalties will be added. However,

2. Getting back on track Samir started a business a few years ago. Everything went well for a couple of years, until he

Brett also started a business a few years ago and employed a few staff. Inland Revenue invited him to a seminar on how to manage tax, but he didn’t attend. He was late paying his first GST bill. Then he was late filing his second GST return. And so on. He set up a weekly instalment plan to pay off his debt. But he soon started missing payments. Inland Revenue then began taking money directly from his bank account. At that point, Brett applied to close his company with the Companies Office. Inland Revenue stopped this, as he was still trading and had outstanding debt. To his credit, he did then stick to a payment plan for some of his debt, and he consistently pays his employees’ PAYE. However, he still files and pays GST late. With penalties and interest, his debt has now grown to a level that seems overwhelming. If Brett can convince Inland Revenue he can trade his way out of the debt, they might still be able to come to some arrangement. But only if he can also convince them he’ll file and pay GST on time from now on. Perhaps a tax agent is needed... *Names have been changed.

Don’t put your head in the sand—get on to tax debt quickly.

Grant Vortex Diesel Boilers

Grant Vortex Pro 58 -70kW condensing boiler house model

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Grant Vortex 15 – 26kW condensing boiler (indoor / floor standing)

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Business smarts YOUR PEOPLE

Five common HR mistakes And how to avoid them These 5 HR mistakes highlight the importance of clear communication. WORDS: LISA DUSTON, PEOPLE & CULTURE MANAGER, MASTER PLUMBERS & MASTERLINK

unning a successful plumbing business isn’t just about managing jobs, it’s about managing people. Most employment issues don’t happen overnight—they’re the result of unclear expectations or difficult conversations being put off for too long. Here are five common mistakes and how you can avoid them. 1. Waiting too long to address issues If someone’s performance or behaviour isn’t where it needs to be, don’t wait until you’re frustrated. Early, honest conversations are often all that’s needed to get back on track. 2. Assuming people know what’s expected “We’ve talked about this before” isn’t the same as setting clear expectations. Make sure your team understands what good performance looks like and what success means in your business.

4. Treating every situation the same No two employees or situations are identical. A new apprentice will need a different approach from an experienced tradesperson. Take the time to understand what’s driving the issue before jumping to conclusions. 5. Asking for help too late Employers too often seek advice only after a relationship has broken down. Whether it’s a performance concern, disciplinary matter or restructuring, getting advice early usually leads to a better outcome for everyone. Good HR doesn’t have to be complicated. Clear communication, fair processes and timely conversations go a long way towards building a strong team and protecting your business.

As a Master Plumbers member, you don’t have to navigate these situations alone. If you’re unsure about how to approach a people issue, get in touch. A quick conversation early on often prevents a much bigger problem later. Find the HR Helpline number in the Member Toolbox at www.masterplumbers.org.nz under HR & Employment.

3. Not documenting important conversations A few notes after an important discussion can make all the difference if issues continue. It also helps everyone remember what was agreed.

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Business smarts HEALTH & SAFETY

Don’t let complacency catch you out Most workplace injuries don’t happen because someone doesn’t know the risks. They happen because the job has become routine. WORDS: LISA DUSTON, PEOPLE & CULTURE MANAGER, MASTER PLUMBERS & MASTERLINK

hen you’ve installed hundreds of hot water cylinders, climbed into countless ceiling spaces or driven between jobs every day for years, it’s easy to think, “No issues. I’ve done this all before.” That’s when complacency can creep in. It might be skipping a quick risk assessment or not wearing the right PPE because “the job will only take five minutes”, rushing things because you’re behind schedule, or making a short cut you’ve done dozens of times before. Unfortunately, accidents don’t care how experienced you are. In fact, experienced workers can sometimes be more at risk than

apprentices. Apprentices are often extra cautious because they’re still learning. Experienced tradies rely on confidence and habit, which is a strength... until familiarity replaces good judgement. The best safety cultures aren’t built on paperwork. Take a moment before starting a job. Ask yourself: Has anything changed since I was last here? Is there a safer way to do this? Am I rushing because of time pressure? Is everyone on site aware of the risks? These simple questions only take a minute, but they can prevent injuries, damage to property... or worse.

As business owners and leaders, the example starts with us. If we take shortcuts, our teams will too. But if we stop, assess the risks and do the job safely, even when no one’s watching, we set the standard for everyone else.

Multi-Fit Clip 32 mm 40 mm 50 mm

50mm pipe

40mm pipe

32mm pipe

Insulated Pipe

Product Code: MFC324050

• Cut strap to length

• Tighten for any size pipe between 32mm to 50mm • Wide feet for easy fixing

• Clips can be fixed to walls before fitting the pipe

• Fast installation

• Insert screwdriver to release strap

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A P P R E N T I C E R E P R E S E N TAT I V E G R O U P Second-year Masterlink PGD apprentice Jaimee Cartwright.

Career starters

“PGD TICKED ALL THE BOXES” This edition, we introduce new Apprentice Representative Group (ARG) member Jaimee Cartwright.

aimee Cartwright is in the second year of her Masterlink PGD apprenticeship at Clyne and Bennie in Christchurch. Jaimee got the opportunity to meet her five fellow ARG apprentice members in June, when the 2026 group held their first online meeting. “It was great getting to know a bit about everyone and getting to hear about everyone’s experiences, being at different stages of our apprenticeships,” she says. For Jaimee, apprentice training delivery challenges include a lack of resources provided to support assessment topics and the sense that some employers are not yet confident in how the new version 4 apprenticeship model works. When it comes to her on-job experience as a female apprentice, Jaimee says she’s been

lucky, as most of the men at her workplace have been very supportive. “But being in such a male-dominated field, I feel as though I have to constantly prove myself and my place more than others—as well as being underestimated in what I can do physically, such as lifting and handling heavy objects.” A keen football player and member of a New Zealand Response Team, Jaimee fell into a plumbing apprenticeship by happy chance. “I never really had a clue what I wanted to do workwise,” she says. “All I knew was that I wanted something with a bit of variety and hands on. PGD just ticked all the boxes for me and an opportunity came up, so I took it and never looked back.”

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The overall winner of the 2026 James Douglas Medallion, Rhys Kimber says he wouldn’t be where he is today without the positive support of boss Dave McGall at Soda Plumbing & Gas.

EVERY DAY IS

A GREAT DAY Fresh from winning the prestigious 2026 James Douglas Medallion Award, 26-year-old Rhys Kimber is on the fast track to making a name for himself in the industry—and he’s loving every minute.

he James Douglas Medallion Award is one of the highest honours in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry and celebrates newly qualified future leaders of the profession. Rhys admits winning the 2026 award feels surreal, as he never planned to become a plumber. He had hoped to become a lines mechanic before rugby injuries forced a rethink. Then, in 2019, an opportunity arose.

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WORDS: JE T’AIME HAYR “My brother-in-law’s dad worked at a plumbing company and asked my brotherin-law if he knew anyone who would be keen for an apprenticeship. He called my partner who said ’yes’ for me, and I got the job.” That job took him from Te Kūiti to Hamilton, which Rhys says pushed him outside his comfort zone, but he hasn’t looked back. Having completed his plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeship at Soda Plumbing and Gas, Rhys has earned the

respect of Director Dave McGall, who describes him as having a rare combination of technical expertise, strong work ethic, leadership potential and outstanding people skills. For Rhys, motivation is simple: “I want to provide for my family, buy a house and enjoy holidays with my children.”

Never stop learning What really sets him apart, though, is not just his drive to work but to continue

Career starters JAMES DOUGLAS MEDALLION

learning. “Being recognised in this award is amazing. I want to continue to upskill and do the best I can.” This isn’t the first industry recognition for Rhys, who won the Waikato Master Plumbers Wintec Apprentice of the Year in 2025. Having passed his drainlaying certification, he is now studying towards his plumbing certification, with the goal of becoming a Certifying Plumber by the end of the year. The 2026 James Douglas Medallion Award prize money will help cover the costs of exams and licensing. “I don’t want to become complacent,” he says. “I want to keep striving to do more. Whether someone has been in the trade for six months or 10 years, in this industry you’re always learning.”

Rhys is now a fully qualified plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer, having completed his apprenticeship in 2025.

The value of good mentors A positive attitude is one thing, but having someone ’on your team’ helps too. Ask Rhys who has had the biggest influence on his career, and the answer comes immediately. “My boss, Dave.” Rhys says he struggled with self-doubt during the early years of his apprenticeship, but everything changed after joining Soda Plumbing and Gas. “Dave has created an environment where people want to work and grow. It’s okay to make mistakes because we’re all learning and we are all there to help each other.”

“We had our first child when I started my apprenticeship, so I was learning my trade while learning how to be a dad.” And one piece of advice has stayed with him ever since. “I remember Dave saying that ’every day is a great day’. We get to do what we love, so it’s got to be a good day. As long as we’re enjoying ourselves, the work takes care of itself.” That positive workplace culture has helped Soda Plumbing and Gas grow from a two-person operation into a team of four. What’s more, Rhys believes it’s played a huge role in his own development. “Without Dave, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Building more than a career Outside work, Rhys and his partner are busy raising two young children—a four-year-old daughter and a seven-weekold son. Balancing a young family with

studying and building a career isn’t always easy. “We had our first child when I started my apprenticeship, so I was learning my trade while learning how to be a dad.” Now, he says, it’s about finding balance. “Some days, work takes longer, but on quieter days I can support my partner and spend more time with the family.” While rugby injuries ended his playing days, he remains a passionate Warriors supporter alongside his boss, who bought memberships so the team could enjoy the games together.

Advice for future apprentices Rhys’s advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship is simple: “Be willing to learn. Don’t let your ego get in the way. No matter how long you’ve been in the trade, you’ll always be learning.” With New Zealand continuing to face a shortage of qualified plumbers, Rhys hopes more people will consider the trade. “It would be great to see more young people coming

through, but older people are also welcome to the trade. You’re never too old to learn.”

Looking ahead Winning the James Douglas Medallion Award recognises Rhys’s achievements to date, but he sees it as a milestone rather than a finish line. His long-term ambition isn’t simply to gain more qualifications. He hopes one day to buy into the business and help develop the next generation of plumbers. For Rhys, character matters just as much as technical ability. “I’d love to work alongside Dave and bring apprentices through—helping people not only to become good plumbers, but good people. Being a good plumber is great, but being a good person is ten times more important.” With his Certifying Plumber licence firmly in his sights and a long-term goal of mentoring apprentices himself, his awardwinning attitude looks set to carry him well into the future.

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Career starters MAC MCKENZIE AWARDS

2025 Mac McKenzie Trust Apprentice Awards overall winner Taylor Homer (centre) with trustee Graeme Millar (left) and Taylor’s boss Sam Smith (right) at this year’s NZ Plumbing Conference.

OFF TO GREAT PLACES To mark the 50-year milestone for the Mac McKenzie Awards, NZ Plumber caught up with last year’s overall winner, Taylor Homer, to talk about his developing career and his prize-winning trip to the 2026 NZ Plumbing Conference.

WORDS: LISA ONLAND

or five decades, the Mac McMenzie Trust Apprentice Awards have celebrated the top-performing plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentices from the lower South Island. 2025 winner Taylor Homer, who works at Smith Plumbing & Gas in Lawrence, Otago, says his win came as a surprise. “I didn’t know quite what I was in for, but then I ended up taking out the overall title, so that was good.”

Plumbing connections Taylor completed an automotive pre-trade course after leaving school but soon realised it wasn’t the career for him. Plumbing wasn’t an obvious next step either, but he says it’s turned out to be the right one. “You’re always meeting new people and it’s a good lifestyle job, I reckon.” Knowing owner Sam Smith through family connections, Taylor approached him looking for work. At the time, the business had only been operating for a couple of years, and Sam was the sole practitioner. Taylor went on to complete his apprenticeship with Sam and has since qualified as a tradesman in plumbing, gasfitting and

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drainlaying. He is now working towards becoming a certifier in all three trades, beginning with his Certifying Plumber exam in the coming months.

Wide array of work For Sam, watching Taylor’s development since day one has been rewarding. “He’s picked up things well and can handle projects by himself, has good customer relations, and we get good feedback on his work.” Those qualities are especially important for a small business in a close-knit rural community. “Because of our locality, we do anything and everything,” he says. “From repairs and maintenance, to renovations, new housing, drainage, agricultural work and some civil works for the council—it’s quite a vast array of stuff.” That variety is what Taylor appreciates most about the trade. While he enjoys working on new builds, it’s often maintenance work that provides the greatest satisfaction. “When you’ve got a problem you’ve got to solve with someone’s plumbing, you’re trying to work out how the whole system works. It keeps your brain thinking.”

Having benefited from Sam’s mentorship, Taylor now helps pass on that knowledge to the company’s current apprentice and newest employee, Aaron Stoddard. As the company continues to grow, Sam sees plenty of opportunities for Taylor ahead. “We’ve talked about where growth goes from here,” he says. “That’s really up to him. The opportunity’s there if he wants to do more in the business.”

Conference experience Winning the Mac McKenzie Award has also opened doors beyond the workplace. For the first time in 2025, the Trust included tickets to the NZ Plumbing Conference as part of the overall winner’s prize—covering Taylor’s registration, accommodation and travel expenses to this year’s event in Hamilton. Sam took the opportunity to attend too, and both came away inspired and keen to return. “It’s great to learn all these things that are happening in the industry,” says Taylor. “We’re planning on going next year to the one in Christchurch, which is a bit closer to home.”

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For queries about the awards or the Mac McKenzie Trust, contact Ray Galt: info@macmckenzieawards.nz; 027 244 5509.

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The Mac McKenzie Trust was formally set up in 1996 to acknowledge Mervyn ‘Mac’ McKenzie, who died tragically in a hang-gliding accident in 1975. Mac McKenzie was a plumbing tutor at Otago Polytechnic, known for his in-depth knowledge of the trade and with a reputation as an exceptional educator. A special anniversary ceremony will be held on 11 September at the Rendezvous Heritage Hotel Queenstown to celebrate the winners of the 2026 Mac McKenzie Awards and the 50-year tradition of recognising apprentice excellence across the lower South Island.

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ON THE SIDE Luke Ryder racing at the 2026 NZ Superbike Grand Prix this January.

And finally...

10 MINUTES WITH...

LUKE RYDER

West Coast drainlayer and superbike champion Winner of the New Zealand Superbike Championship 2025, Luke Ryder talks to NZ Plumber about his drainlaying career and what it takes to reach the top of his sport.

WORDS: GILL STARLING PHOTOGRAPHY: AARON STAPLES PHOTOGRAPHY

ell us about your work as a drainlayer I work for Westroads, a large company that has the council contract for three waters services. There’s seven of us in the team and we do the sub main upgrades, work at the water treatment plants and do all kinds of reactive work for the council. Drainlaying works hand in hand with my racing because it’s strenuous and keeps me in shape. How did you get into this line of work? I trained in Tauranga with Moon Civil & Drainage and completed my Tradesman Drainlayer qualification.

In the following years I also did Level 4 Pipeline Construction and Water Reticulation. I didn’t plan on becoming a drainlayer—it just sort of happened. I was working in irrigation when I was young and one thing just led to another through civil and earthworks. We moved down to Hokitika at the beginning of 2025 to give the kids a better life. When did you first get into motorbikes? My dad loved motorbikes, so I was into them as a kid and then I rode road bikes as a teenager. I got into racing about 10 years after that.

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And finally... ON THE SIDE

Luke with his wife Sophie and two-year old daughter Emilia. Son Deegan, 14, is also into bike racing.

“Drainlaying works hand in hand with my racing because it’s strenuous and keeps me in shape.” What bike do you race? I’ve been racing an Aprilia RS660. Along with the TR20 team, we do make some modifications, but there are class rules which restrict what we can do. We work on the suspension and I do all the body and paint work. I really love doing the mechanical work. I sold the Aprilia when the season finished and I’m building a Post Classic motorbike. What speeds do you reach during a race? It depends on the course, but it can be up to 220-230kph on the straight. On the corners I sometimes have to slow down to 30 or 40kph depending on the gradient, the camber and the conditions. Talk us through what happens just before a race. I make sure I’m as relaxed as possible. I’ll walk around the pits and chat to people. Then 20 minutes before the race starts, I

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put on my leathers and sit quietly. I do laps in my head, visualising the whole race, and focus on staying calm.

championship podium on the cards. I had a handful of podiums and personal bests, so I’m still proud of what I achieved that year.

What’s your fitness regime and how important is it to be in shape? I need to be fit enough to hold my body weight when the bike goes around corners. But it’s mental fitness that’s most important. You have to learn not to ‘race under the sensation’. This means ignoring the adrenaline and being totally focused on the decisions I need to make in every moment. I’m always trying to push beyond my comfort zone.

Is motorbike racing a family aﬀair? Absolutely, the sport means everything to us. Sophie, my wife, rides but she doesn’t race. Our 14-year-old son Deegan is club racing and our little girl Emilia already loves bikes and she’s only two years old.

What’s been your career highlight to date? There’s no doubt about this—winning the NZSBK Championship in 2025. It was an incredible experience, closely followed by winning my first championship race at the end of 2024 and the trackside gender reveal for our daughter. I was hoping for another great season in 2026 but I had a crash in round 3, which left me bumped and bruised and then my Aprilia engine blew up on a practice Friday at the final Taupo round with a national

How do you manage to fit everything into the day? I’d describe our family life as ‘winging it’. We’re a pretty tight unit which helps. Sophie works in the showroom at local plumbing business Jeﬀ Evans Ltd. She describes me as an ‘active relaxer’ because I spend every moment I can in my garage. My next goal is to build my GSXR1100 Pre89 and race the Southern Summer Classic in Timaru, and I’d love to win a classic class at the Burt Munro Challenge. I couldn’t do all this without the support of my family, friends and the wider crew, especially our race family Dillon Telford and Jo Taylor. I really do owe a lot of my success to them.

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