Report CEO
CEO’S REPORT
Happy New Year and I hope you enjoyed the holiday break. I’m sure we all hope that 2021 will be a lot more normal than last year. However, as the community outbreaks in January and February show, we still need to be cautious and prepared for potential changes to Covid-19 Alert Levels at any time. This includes making sure that your business has the necessary PPE and that you continue with stringent hygiene measures and contact tracing for you and your staff. All these things help us maintain ‘business as usual’ as far as possible—and, as we have seen recently, New Zealand businesses and the general public have also benefited from good use of the NZ Covid Tracer app with its Bluetooth functionality. As usual, Master Plumbers have had a busy start to the year—particularly on the advocacy front. In its first draft advice report, the Climate Change Commission recommends no new gas connections for homes after 2025. We see this as incredibly short-sighted, as it precludes consumers from benefiting from hydrogen and other low carbon gases being introduced into the natural gas and LPG systems when these become available. The media has reported on this topic as if it were a foregone conclusion but the report is just a discussion document and Master Plumbers will advocate strongly for alternative solutions. We are also making our voice heard with regards to the lead contamination of drinking water in the two towns of Karitane and Waikouaiti. Early testing results indicate this may have come from old cast iron water supply pipes with lead joints, which would point to a concerning lack of preventative maintenance. Master Plumbers is very clear that New Zealand needs tougher regulations to ensure our drinking water is safe for everyone, no matter where we live. Whether it’s pipe failures in Wellington city, the earlier Havelock North campylobacteria outbreak or Christchurch chlorination issues, New Zealand is not delivering what we believe to be minimum standards. We are already engaging with the Ministry of Health and MBIE and there finally seems to be some urgency on addressing these matters. The beginning of this year has also included a meeting with new Building and Construction Minister Poto Williams, at which we discussed our critical advocacy programme. We are aware that, whilst it is fine to inform
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the Minister of the issues, we also want to provide solutions that will benefit members, consumers and the wider industry. There has been a lot of media concerning housing affordability in New Zealand, which stems in part from the cost of construction. We have a system of consenting and inspections that is inefficient, expensive and not suited to current market conditions. Some of our members have reported wait times of over 20 days to get a very basic pre-line inspection. If we are to reduce construction times and be more efficient, we need to address this issue, along with the shortage of overall numbers of registered tradespeople in the plumbing, gas and drainage sector. Master Plumbers will also be engaging with the Minister and MBIE around the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act review and we are determined to see this completed in 2021. I’m very pleased to report that the upcoming 2021 New Zealand Plumbing Conference in Blenheim is sold out. After having to cancel last year’s conference, we are really looking forward to meeting all our members, Business Partners and associates in person at this year’s event. I’m sure we will be able to deliver a great, interactive conference that all will benefit from. I am also extremely proud to see another one of our members recognised in the annual New Year Honours List and would personally like to congratulate Colleen Upton of Hutt Gas and Plumbing for her ONZM appointment in 2021. Colleen has been a long-term supporter of Master Plumbers, Masterlink and NZ Plumber and it’s hard to list all the contributions she has made by being a passionate advocate for the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry. Turn to page 46 for a comprehensive profile on Colleen and her achievements. Finally, despite predictions in MBIE’s latest construction pipeline report (see page 24), Master Plumbers believe we are in for a very strong year. Data from the first quarter would suggest a robust future work forecast right through 2021. The renovation market in particular is setting records and obviously much of that sector is not included in the report, as the majority of renovation work does not require a consent. Greg Wallace, CEO Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ
