NZ Plumber June-July 2025

“OUR

DESERVE BETTER”

Are Centres of Excellence the answer?

BATHROOM TRENDS

What’s making a splash

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Volume 77, Number 3

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

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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letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled ‘Not for Publication’.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.

Great to connect

The real gold in the NZ Plumbing Conference is to be found in the conversations had and connections made.

This edition is full of stories from the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Conference in Brisbane. I always return from these events with a notebook brimming with ideas for articles about the people I’ve met and the technologies on show. There’s honestly enough to fill a year’s worth of editions, so look out for more to come in the months ahead.

I caught up with Jason and Kirstie Brown of 2025 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year award-winner Jason Brown Plumbing and Gas on their return to their Wellingtonbased business. Turn to page 36 to find out more about their approach to business and the values they live by.

We provide full coverage of the 3-day event starting on page 19. This includes photos of all the winners, plus a gallery from the outstanding evening social events. Let’s just say it caused quite a stir among the locals to see hundreds of Kiwi

Ticket touts

I have been made aware of some Certifying Plumbers and Drainlayers selling their tickets to unlicensed guys. I have been told from a reliable source they are also charging different rates, depending on the job.

In some instances, apprentices are doing 1-2 years drainage and then going out on their own because someone has

plumbing industry participants striding along the South Bank in full (and in some cases barely there) Olympiad costume for the Marley Fun Night. The conference is for new and long-standing businesses alike, no matter how big or small. It’s for apprentices, employees and business owners. It’s also for people on the tools and people in the office. If you’ve never been, give it a go next year. I promise you’ll come back brimming with stories. Ka mau te wehi

Awesome!

Beverly Sellers

Editor, NZ Plumber bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz

agreed to sign off their work at a cost before they are qualified. As a business that has always given opportunities and trained apprentices, it guts me that we are losing guys a lot sooner than we should be and that someone is making dollars on the side from it.

There are also certified guys putting these uncertified guys under their supervision, but they both have their own businesses.

Anonymous

Thanks for your letter. The only way to deal with this in an official manner is to make a complaint to the Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board (PGDB) at www.pgdb.co.nz/complaints_and_disciplinary_processes/make_a_complaint

The PGDB will take these allegations seriously. It is important we stand up for what is right when we become aware of activity of this kind.

First-hand feedback from the European 2025 ISH Trade Fair

on trend Tapware trends in focus

&

New to market, including the 2025 Product of the Year

Taking on someone new?

Start as you mean to go on

Gearing up for growth

How to market your business in a tight economy

Group health plans

Why they’re an attractive staff perk

Don’t beat yourself up Tips from Work

Should Not Hurt— and be in to win an ergonomic workshop+BBQ!

Meet the newest member of the Apprentice Representative Group

Plumbing World Scholarship winner

Masterlink apprentice Trent Toomey

“Our apprentices deserve better”

Master Plumbers

CEO Greg Wallace on his hopes for NZ’s training facilities

10 minutes with... Bull Allen, former All Black and United Supply Co territory manager

Dodgy plumbing

Another eyepopping collection

Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas is the 2025 winner of the supreme Master Plumbers business award, the New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year. Proudly serving the Wellington region for the past 20 years, the family business was set up by Jason and Kirstie Brown. It has grown significantly in the past decade through strategic diversification of work streams and a focus on apprentice training. Jason’s ability to mentor, support and empower his team has helped build a skilled team that upholds the highest standards of service and workmanship. Discover more about this winning business on page 36.

Cover photograph: Neil Mackenzie

CEO’S REPORT

Thank you to all our members, business partners and industry suppliers who took time away from their businesses to attend the New Zealand Plumbing Awards in Brisbane. It was a pleasure to host everyone at the Mico and Iplex Welcome Night, the Marley Fun Night and the Plumbing World Awards Night, which all showcased the city and some of the amazing venues on offer.

It’s incredible to see the construction boom happening on the back of the 2032 Olympics being held in Brisbane and how one international sporting event can change a city for a lifetime.

I want to give a huge congratulations to all the award winners, and particularly to Jason and Kirstie Brown of Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas, our 2025 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year, and to Andrew Smith, overall winner of the James Douglas Medallion. I was talking with a new attendee at the conference who noted the passion and commitment of all award winners, and how well they spoke in front of their peers.

our new chatbot, will revolutionise how our members can refer to building code compliance documents and other technical information. Toby is still at the pilot stage, but we are working hard to make this a go-to tool for the industry in the near future.

In other news, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds has announced proposals for the new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs), which will take on some of the functions of the current Workforce Development Councils (WDCs), including standards setting and quality assurance of apprentice training programmes, from 1 January 2026.

Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying will sit under the Construction ISB and we have been engaging with the Minister to ensure appropriate funding for our sector and a smooth transition from Waihanga Ara Rau WDC.

“We need to embrace the productivity gains AI will bring to the construction industry.”

A highlight of the conference for me was the AI presentation from Julian Moore. The speed with which AI is changing our world in front of our eyes is astonishing. I think we need to educate ourselves, embrace and realise the productivity gains AI will bring to the construction industry rather than be nervous about the roles it could replace.

Julian talked about the humanoid robot that will be operating in his home later this year. This technology is a game changer and holds amazing future opportunities for the construction industry.

At Master Plumbers, we are creating an AI strategy to ensure we are developing and informing innovations that will help the sector. Our conference launch of Toby,

I was recently on RNZ’s The Panel, highlighting the need for consolidation of New Zealand’s training facilities to create industryfocused centres of excellence.

Conference participants who visited the plumbing industry training facility in Brisbane were quite simply staggered by its quality and the innovation on show. This comparison between our two countries exposes the lack of quality training facilities for our apprentices.

As American business magnate Henry Ford said: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”

I feel there is a strong analogy between this and what we’ve being doing with our apprentice training regime. It’s time to do things differently.

Greg Wallace, CEO Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ

The right apprentice is your secret weapon.

Three easy steps to New Zealand’s cleanest water

Three stages: Sediment, carbon and UV 20"

Watts™ Hydroguard™ is a residential water filtration unit, suitable for mains supply or rainwater harvesting, that provides sediment, CTO (Chlorine, Taste and Odour) and Ultraviolet filtration to remove contaminants, odour and bacteria to make water safe for your home

The Hydroguard range features both 10 and 20-inch fi lters with or without UV filtration to offer the correct level of protection for your home and budget.

Simple standalone dwellings up to 70sq m in size will be able to be built on people’ s properties without the need for building or resource consent under Government proposals.

INDUSTRY

GRANNY FLAT PROPOSALS

INCREASE TO 70m²

The government plans to put its ‘granny flat’ proposals into law through an amendment to the Building Act, expected to be in force by early 2026.

This would allow small standalone dwellings to be built on property with an existing home on it without the need for building or resource consent. Initial proposals gave a maximum size of 60m² but this has been increased to 70m².

Certain conditions will apply: The design must be simple and the building must comply with the Building Code Building work must be carried out by authorised building professionals Councils must be notified before work starts and after it is completed.

THIS EDITION’S INDUSTRY NEWS INCLUDES TWO SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES FOR NEW ZEALAND-BASED MANUFACTURERS IN THE PLUMBING, GASFITTING AND DRAINLAYING SECTOR.

Rheem turns 100!

Rheem was founded in California in 1925 and is celebrating its 100th birthday this year, marking a century of growth, innovation, and expansion into more than 80 countries. Rheem New Zealand, part of this journey since 1958, is taking the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on its own 67-year history.

Rheem NZ started with a manufacturing plant in Tawa, Wellington, producing 60L and 200L steel drums. It expanded to Christchurch before relocating to Auckland in 1963. Initially supplying drums to the NZ Dairy Board, Rheem’s product range grew to manufacturing underground tanks, plastic tubing, and operating a drum reconditioning plant. It wasn’t until 1969, however, that Rheem acquired Stanley Sheet Metals, which at the time was manufacturing lowpressure electric water heaters—marking the pivotal moment that allowed Rheem’s entry into the water heating market.

Rheem began importing gas mains pressure water heaters from Australia and launched copper-lined and glass-lined cylinders. The company sold its drum reconditioning arm in 1972 and built a new mains pressure water heating plant in Avondale in 1974. Over

$4,319 REPARATION FOR ILLEGAL DRAINLAYING

Liam Walker was sentenced in April for completing illegal drainlaying work on a Cambridge house he owned and later sold. After a Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer completed work at the property, Mr Walker installed an onsite wastewater treatment system.

“The effluent fields [he] installed were deeper than the approved design,” said

the next two and a half decades, Rheem diversified, manufacturing toothpaste tubes, boiling water units, and household appliances. In the 1990s, Rheem consolidated operations to Auckland and introduced continuous flow gas water heating in 1994.

The turn of the century brought more big changes. In 1999, the company began to focus solely on hot water (the appliances were removed from the showroom). Japanese firm Paloma took ownership in 2002 and soon commissioned a major plant upgrade, further reinforcing Rheem’s commitment to remain a local manufacturer, producing most of its range of tried-and-true quality water heaters right here in New Zealand.

Recently, Rheem has focused on sustainability, introducing water heating products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent. The Rheem Ambiheat and AmbiPower heat pump hot water cylinders are notable innovations, offering superior energy efficiency.

Today, Rheem continues to lead the industry with innovative hot water solutions, demonstrating a commitment to innovation and sustainability, and meeting the evolving needs of New Zealanders.

Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board CEO Aleyna Hall. “This compromised the wastewater system and risked untreated effluent entering the stormwater system and being carried to the front section of the property, where members of the public could have been exposed to it.

“Unfortunately... a building report probably wouldn’t have shown the underground

drainlaying work wasn’t up to Code and the issues presented themselves slowly over time.”

The judge considered the offending to be moderately serious given the health and safety risk posed on the new homeowner. He ordered a fine of $500, court and solicitor’s costs totalling $199, and reparation of $4,319, which was the full amount claimed by the new owner.

Today’s Rheem New Zealand team outside the Auckland facility celebrating Rheem’s 100th birthday.

PROGRESS UPDATE FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING SYSTEM REFORMS

Further decisions regarding workbased learning were announced by Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds in late April.

Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) will be established on 1 January 2026. These statutory standardsetting bodies will be tasked with developing qualifications, endorsing programmes, and moderating assessments across key industry sectors.

Each ISB will also have a sector workforce analysis function and provide investment advice to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). The Work Based Learning (WBL) divisions of Te Pūkenga will be temporarily managed by the ISBs for up to two years.

There is also an opportunity for new, industry-owned Private Training Establishments (PTEs) to be created that offer workbased learning.

Consultation on the number of ISBs and their coverage ran during April and May. TEC has also invited industries to nominate representatives to help establish the ISBs. Each will have an Establishment Advisory Group consisting of three members.

Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) will continue to deliver their core statutory functions of qualifications development, moderation, workforce planning and providing investment advice to TEC throughout 2025.

Waihanga Ara Rau construction and infrastructure WDC anticipates a reduction in funding from 1 July 2025, which will affect the scope of their delivery. Some areas of their work may be scaled back or discontinued but they remain dedicated to delivering value to the sector.

ALLPROOF ACHIEVES TOITŪ BRONZE CERTIFICATION ON AUCKLAND PRODUCTION FACILITY

Toitū is a nationwide science focused organisation that supports and empowers sustainability in businesses.

In recent years Allproof have taken tangible steps towards improving the sustainability of their operations. “Achieving a Toitū bronze certification on our main production facility located in Auckland adds further credibility and acknowledgement to Allproof’s environmental and social commitments,” says General Manager Adam Jackson.

Toitū enviromark® certification assesses a business using a robust Environmental Management System (EMS), designed to reduce environmental impact and enhance operational efficiency.

Toitū bronze certification focuses on best business practice ensuring that all legislative steps around health, safety and environmental factors are well addressed, planned, implemented and regularly reviewed. By monitoring these dimensions of the business through an EMS, Allproof can ensure it is operating in the most responsible way possible.

“Allproof values the environment and the communities it operates within; these values have driven the improvements that have been implemented over recent years,” says Adam. “We operate a waste reduction and on-site recycling programme to reuse all waste materials from our own production processes.

Additionally, there are waste separation facilities so that any waste that can’t be recycled back into our products is responsibly dealt with.”

Allproof manufacture a wide range of products from 100% recycled polypropylene sourced from post-consumer streams. Using recycled materials in products with a long service life significantly extends the lifecycle of plastic and reduces landfill waste.

Allproof’s main production facility harnesses clean energy generated onsite by 450 solar panels installed on the roof, which prevent 50 tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere every year.

“These commitments and investments, coupled with Allproof’s transition to an electric and hybrid vehicle fleet, best environmental practice (BEP) certification, biodegradable pallet wrap and strong health and safety procedures using cutting edge PPE technology illustrate Allproof’s core sustainability values,” Adam says.

“Obtaining certification through a wellestablished and highly respected independent organisation such as Toitū adds authenticity to our sustainability commitments. This certification now gives specifiers and users of Allproof products even more confidence that the company understands and values sustainable business practices.”

Allproof has achieved Toitū bronze certification on their main production facility, located in Auckland.

BEFORE: PP waste ready for processing at Allproof.

AFTER: Allproof domestic channels, made from 100% recycled PP using solar energy.

Feelgood stories from around the industry.

Maddy McGee, Communications Coordinator at Master Plumbers and Masterlink, celebrated the completion of her BA degree in Communications at a graduation ceremony in Wellington this April. It took Maddy just over 10 years to finish her degree, mainly via distance learning, starting in Jan 2013 and finishing in April 2024. Maddy dipped in and out due to raising her kids and working full time at Plumbing World to support her family. She completed not long before a friend showed her the Seek ad for the role at Master Plumbers—we’re so happy they did!

Jarvis Plumbing & Gasworks are very pleased to have been selected as finalists in two award categories at the Wellington Gold Awards for 2025: Employer of the Year and Supporting Gold – Services & Infrastructure. “Proud to be representing Master Plumbers!” says Rhiannon Jarvis. “We are feeling very humbled to be finalists in the Supporting Gold category alongside Kāpiti Coast plumbing legends Peter Jackson Plumbing.” The winners will be announced on 2 July. Congratulations and good luck!

Plumb FX recently completed a six-week community campaign run through The Breeze FM. This South Canterbury business collaborated with a team of trade partners, including Mico, to give a deserving individual or family a bathroom upgrade worth $30,000. Everyone involved donated their time and resources free of charge. Hundreds of nominations were received for people in the community who go above and beyond for others—with volunteer fire chief Steve Pali unanimously picked as the winner.

Work on the reno kicked off in April and here’s what Steve’s partner Lisa had to say: “I want to acknowledge every single volunteer in our local brigade and surrounding areas that all drop everything when the pager goes, when someone needs help, when there’s work to be done at the station. They’re all amazing in my eyes. ”

REBRI has added to its toolbox of resources to help construction businesses reduce the amount of building material waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill. This BRANZ initiative now includes an on-site waste sorting signage kit, available in multiple languages. Other toolbox resources include a BRANZ resource recovery map showing nationwide facilities, and easy guides to waste reduction.

The REBRI on-site waste sorting signage kit is available in English and several other languages. It includes signage for a range of waste types, including polystyrene, metal, and plastic wrap and fill.

Back row from left: OJ from The Breeze, Lara Welsh and Aaron Dodds from Plumb FX, Malcolm King from Mico and Rory Foley from 24/7 Construction, with deserving bathroom upgrade winners Lisa and Steve Pali.

Rhiannon Jarvis (left) and Linda Hoffman of Jarvis Plumbing and Gasworks.

Maddy with partner Scott and their young family celebrating her graduation.

TRAINING & EVENTS

Professional development courses and events worth investing in to upskill you and your team.

Business Strategy

2, 9 & 16 JUL – ONLINE 8, 15 & 22 OCT – ONLINE masterplumbers.org.nz/events

HALO Profit Optimiser Programme

25 JUL – ONLINE

29 AUG – ONLINE

26 SEPT – ONLINE

31 OCT – ONLINE

28 NOV – ONLINE masterplumbers.org.nz

Practical Project Management

6, 13 & 20 AUG – ONLINE masterplumbers.org.nz

Backflow Prevention 2025

14 JUL – HAMILTON nzetc.wsp.com

Contract Law Made Simple 6 AUG – ONLINE 1 OCT – ONLINE masterplumbers.org.nz

Essentials & Fundamentals of Business

10, 17 & 24 SEPT – ONLINE masterplumbers.org.nz

Englefield Shower Installation Certification

16 JUL – CHRISTCHURCH/TIMARU

31 JUL – DUNEDIN/OAMARU

13 AUG – QUEENSTOWN/WANAKA

27 AUG – NELSON masterplumbers.org.nz

Gasfitting Refresher Workshop

6 AUG – LOWER HUTT

14 AUG – AUCKLAND

27 AUG – CHRISTCHURCH

4 SEPT – HAWKE’S BAY masterplumbers.org.nz

Business Planning

5, 12 & 19 NOV – ONLINE masterplumbers.org.nz

Explore Rinnai’s Hot Water Heat Pump Range

Rinnai HydraHeat® Integrated Hot Water Heat Pump

Using the efficiency of a NZ designed and manufactured Heat Pump head unit, HydraHeat® will quickly heat a home’s water from the top-down while saving you up to 75% on your water heating costs* Available in 275L & 340L capacities.

Rinnai HydraHeat® Split Hot Water Heat Pump

Introducing the HydraHeat® Split –a versatile top-down water heating solution compatible with both new and existing cylinders**. Designed and built right here in NZ.

Rinnai Enviroflo™ GR Series Hot Water Heat Pump

Designed to meet a variety of installation needs across New Zealand, the GR Series offers capacities of 215L, 265L and 300L

*When a comparison calculation is made to a 250L standard electric hot water cylinder when heating water from 19°C to 55 °C.

** Please refer to our cylinder compatibility checklist to find out if your cylinder is compatible with the HydraHeat® Split system.

Plumbers and drainlayers will be able to opt in to selfcertify their work on simple residential buildings in the near future. NZ Plumber provides an update.

The decision has been made. The Government has agreed to a new scheme that will allow authorised plumbers and drainlayers to self-certify their work—which will finally bring them in line with gasfitters and electricians.

Only proven professionals who meet strict criteria will be eligible for this voluntary, opt-in scheme, which will be overseen by the Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board (PGDB).

There’s still work to be done before it goes live. The sector will be asked for feedback on options for how the scheme will work in practice. This will include consultation on: oversight and monitoring of the scheme

The extent to which building consent authorities (BCAs) would be removed from the assurance process and the role of insurance.

Self-certification timeline

April 2025 Self-certification scheme announced

Late 2025 Expected introduction of amended regulations to enable self-certification scheme

2026 Expected launch of self-certification scheme

2026 New Code of Ethics for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers to be introduced

2026 Improved complaints process for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers to be introduced

Following consultation, amended regulations to enable the selfcertification scheme are expected to be introduced later this year, with the intention to launch self-certification in 2026.

Plumbers and drainlayers will only be able to self-certify simple residential buildings. The definition of an eligible building will be set down in regulation.

The new self-certification scheme will also apply to approved individual builders and building companies carrying out design and construction work on an entire simple residential dwelling.

Reputable volume builders will also be able to proceed without the need for building consent approval and inspections when delivering large numbers of near-identical houses.

New code of ethics and complaints process

A code of ethics is expected to be introduced in 2026, aligning plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers with Licensed Building Practitioners, who have followed a code of ethics since 2022.

The code of ethics will set out expectations for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. The PGDB can consider concerns about conduct that fall within the code of ethics.

“During consultation in 2023, the Board submitted to MBIE strong support for the introduction of a code of ethics, as we see it will provide practitioners and consumers with better guidance and ultimately support the protection of public health and safety,” said PGDB Chief Executive Aleyna Hall in May.

The PGDB will provide practitioners with the necessary support to adopt the code of ethics successfully, with a dedicated learning module to be incorporated into the CPD programme once it is introduced.

Changes are also expected in 2026 to enable the PGDB to initiate its complaints process without the need for a complainant. This will allow it to consider taking proactive action when it becomes aware of concerns of conduct or workmanship by a registered practitioner that may be putting public health and safety at risk.

TACKLING BUILDING CONSENT DELAYS

Given that even simple single-storey homes currently go through around 12 inspections—which are often held up by long wait times—the new self-certification scheme for simple residential buildings should make it much quicker and easier for the construction trades to build the additional housing New Zealand so desperately needs.

“Initially these changes are expected to see around 3,000 homes built each year without delays from approvals or inspections,” said Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk on announcing the decisions this April. “BCAs will be freed up to focus on high-risk, complex builds instead of being bogged down by simple homes.

“In addition, the Government will require BCAs to complete 80 per cent of building inspections within three working days. Wait times sometimes stretch up to a week—having a knock-on effect which can add about $400 for every day a project is held up.”

Inspection targets will come into force later this year.

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk with Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace at the April announcement of the new scheme to accelerate building projects.

UPDATED OUTSIDE IMPROVED INSIDE.

We’re changing for good, and that includes a fresh new look!

As part of our lead-free transition, we’ve redesigned our packaging to make it easier to spot our lead-free products. The valves are also marked ‘LF’ so you can prove compliance - even after installation.

New Combi Pack packaging was available from early 2025. New low pressure valve packaging available from mid-2025.

Visit www.apexvalves.co.nz to learn more.

BRAVO BRISBANE!

With first-rate speakers, discussion panels and product showcases, the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Conference offered plenty of ideas and information for participants to take home to their businesses.

Topics for the discussion panels included practical advice for businesses to keep thriving in 2025, and commentary on the new PGD apprentice programmes. Meanwhile, speakers gave updates on a wide range of subjects, including progress for renewable gas in New Zealand, water filtration, and HR and employment issues, including business restructuring and trial periods.

AI specialist Julian Moore created a Master Plumbers music video in a matter of minutes to demonstrate the power of AI and its breadth of

possibilities. The first humanoid robots are expected to arrive in New Zealand this August, said Julian.

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk provided a video address on the upcoming introduction of plumber and drainlayer self-certification, followed by a video address from Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds on the current review of vocational education and training.

The 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Conference will be held in Hamilton from 24-26 June. Mark the dates in your diary now!

Keynote Speaker Darren Shand inspired the audience with tales from his time as All Blacks Manager from 2004 to 2023.

Women and diversity in plumbing was among four discussion panel topics at the event.

Brisbane put on the weather for conference goers, in a week that also saw the NRL Magic Round and federal elections in the city.

Keynote Speaker Amanda Stevens had everyone captivated with her ideas on turning customers into your brand advocates – with plenty of laughs along the way.

YEAR IN REVIEW

In the face of challenging economic headwinds, Master Plumbers has navigated conditions with resilience and focus, said CEO Greg Wallace at the Master Plumbers Annual General Meeting in May.

During 2024, Master Plumbers made strategic investment in its IT systems, enabling the organisation to better engage and connect with the membership. This has included a new website that provides far greater interaction with members.

Digital innovation is a focus for the organisation, which sees AI playing a critical role in the future of Master Plumbers and the entire industry, with its ability to streamline processes.

Advocacy remains a key driver for the organisation and Master Plumbers is recognised as a leader in this space. The Government’s recent decision to progress to self-certification for plumbers and drainlayers is largely thanks to Master Plumbers’ advocacy work over the past four years.

Another win has been the launch of updated PGD apprentice qualifications, now being delivered through programmes at training providers.

The qualifications were developed by the Waihanga Ara Rau construction and infrastructure workforce development council, with input from the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying Strategic Reference Group (SRG) , chaired by Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace.

At the AGM, Greg acknowledged the efforts of this group and the commitment of Master Plumbers members Jacob Smith, Colleen Upton and Michelle McCarthy. Peter Ryder and Dan Brooks have been welcomed to the group in 2025.

Whilst the overall vocational education and training review has been a slow and frustrating process, Greg said Master Plumbers has maintained strong engagement with Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds throughout.

He also commented on the success of the newly established Master Plumbers Apprentice Representative Group, thanking founding members Colleen Upton and Master Plumbers People and Culture Manager Lisa Duston. Other trade sectors were now looking to develop a similar model, he said.

In her report to the AGM, Masterlink Chair Sam Tyson said the team remained committed to supporting apprentices and host businesses through trying economic times. Despite challenges, Masterlink signed up 81 new apprentices in 2024, a 9% increase on 2023.

Sam thanked all Masterlink host businesses for stepping up to train apprentices. “Let’s keep building the future of our industry, one apprentice at the time,” she said.

Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Chair Craig Foley opening the 2025 Annual General Meeting.

Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace highlighted the organisation’s many advocacy projects at the AGM and in an update during the conference sessions.

MASTER PLUMBERS, GASFITTERS & DRAINLAYERS NZ BOARD 2025-2026

The results of the online Board election were announced at the AGM, and all applicants were thanked for putting themselves forward. This year saw

record voting numbers. Grayson Allen was reelected as a Board Director for a further three-year term. With Dave Strong retiring from the Board, Ashley McIvor

was elected as a new Board Director for a three-year term. The specific roles were to be decided at the first Board meeting following the AGM.

DAVE STRONG ACKNOWLEDGED

Dave Strong has retired after 17 years on the Board of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ. Dave was acknowledged at the Master Plumbers AGM and presented with a toki cut from pounamu from the Arahura River—the same source as the Centennial Trophy, Taonga Paraihe o NZ Master Plumbers.

Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace thanked Dave for his commitment and passion for the industry, particularly the Masterlink group apprentice training scheme owned by Master Plumbers.

Dave was first appointed to the Board in 2008, then elected in 2009, serving as national President from 2009 to 2011.

“It has been a privilege to represent you on the Board,” Dave said in his acceptance speech. “I have learnt a lot from other directors and had the opportunity to give back to the industry, which has been totally enjoyable.”

THANKING THE SPONSORS

At the AGM, thanks were extended to all Master Plumbers Business Partners. Particular thanks also go to 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Conference sponsors:

Plumbing World:

New Zealand Plumbing Awards Dinner

Marley: Fun Night Dinner and Product Showcase

Mico and Iplex: Welcome Night Dinner

MM Brands: Keynote Speaker Darren Shand Nero and Mico:

Keynote Speaker Amanda Stevens

Simpro: Conference App

Rheem: Women in Plumbing Discussion Panel

Master Plumbers and Masterlink: Growing the Future Discussion Panel and Coffee Cart

Gallagher Insurance: Coffee Cart

Firstgas: Thursday Breakfast and Lunch

Rockgas: Thursday Morning Tea

Rinnai: Product Showcase

Methven and Caroma: Product Showcase

Watersmart and White International: Product Showcase

The Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Board Directors for the 2025-2026 term, from left: Ashley McIvor, Felicity Caird (Independent Director), Scot Pearce, Craig Foley, Grayson Allen, Jon Lewis, Sam Tyson and Nick Paris (absent).

Dave Strong speaking to AGM delegates on his retirement from the Board after 17 years.

OH, WHAT FUN WE HAD

Some highlights from the evening social events at the 2025 NZ Plumbing Conference – a picture speaks 1,000 words!

Representing excellence on both sides of the Tasman: Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland CEO Penny Cornah and Master Plumbers New Zealand CEO Greg Wallace at the Olympiad-themed Marley Fun Night Dinner.

Ben Mayne (centre) showing off his six-pack at the Mico and Iplex Welcome Night with Emma Ngatai of Iplex and Quentin Bleakley of Mico.

Mat Alexander of Plumbuilt with Amanda and Jason Kerr of Stiebel Eltron enjoying the Brisbane cityscape from the Lina Rooftop – the Mico and Iplex Fun Night venue.

Master Plumbers team members Amanda Macelli Monteiro, Caitlin Wells and Maddy McGee at the Mico and Iplex Welcome Night.

Rayguns

Best Dressed Team at the Marley Fun Night Dinner went to the Wellington and Hutt Valley/Wairarapa Master Plumbers branch delegates for their ancient Greek theming.

Best Dressed Female went to Sarah Jamieson of BOP Plumbing & Gas, shown here with husband Aaron as Oscar Pistorius.

from the Nelson Master Plumbers were invited to show off their breakdancing moves.

Move over Torvill and Dean – make way for Sarah Kneebone and Nick Ray from Gas Appliance Specialists in Auckland.

Best Dressed Male winner Ash Hanrahan baring all in his budgy smugglers with wife Rochelle and Hockly Plumbers colleague Will McGee.

Ben Mayne and Kerryl Bawden rowed their way to success as the Best Dressed Couple.

Product and service excellence for the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry were on show at the trade exhibition.

The chance to connect with manufacturers, suppliers and service providers is a key element of the annual NZ Plumbing conference.

This year saw exceptional engagement between plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses and more than 30 trade exhibitors. With competitions, games and prizes on offer, the trade space was buzzing throughout the event. Well done to the winners of top prizes: Chris Matthews for winning the $2,500 travel voucher from Gallagher Insurance NZ Andrew Smith, James Cowles, Sara Luke, Rob Marshall and Jae-Marie Macfarlane for each winning 100,000 Rinnai Plus Points.

EXHIBITOR A TO Z

A big thank you to all exhibitors at the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Conference.

Allproof Industries

Apex Valves

Aqualine

Bunnings Trade

Buteline

EarnLearn

Gallagher Insurance NZ

Greens Tapware

Horizon Fireplaces

Hydroflow

Industry Connection for Excellence (ICE) Iplex

Marley

Master Plumbers and Masterlink

Methven and Caroma Mico

Mitsubishi Electric

MM Brands

Mobilcard Nero Rheem

Rinnai

Saniflo SFA

Simpro

Stiebel Eltron Testo

United Supply Co

Watersmart

All conference catering was provided in the exhibition space, with a networking lounge for guests to enjoy catching up over a coffee and refreshments. Gallagher Insurance NZ, Master Plumbers and Masterlink sponsored coffee carts, with Thursday breakfast and lunch sponsored by Firstgas, and morning tea by Rockgas.

Chris Matthews (right) being presented with his $2,500 travel voucher prize by Jason MacDonald from Gallaghers Insurance NZ.

Trying out the Ask Toby pilot chatbot at the Master Plumbers stand.

Talking tapware at the Greens stand.

The trade exhibition was the go-to between each day’s conference sessions.

The five winners of 100,000 Rinnai Plus Points to add to their Rinnai Plus Membership are (back row, from left) Andrew Smith of EG Glennies, Rob Marshall of Marlborough Plumbing & Heating, James Cowles of Clyne & Bennie, (front row, from left) Jae-Marie Macfarlane of VIP Plumbing and Gas, and Sara Luke of Rawlinson Plumbing & Gas.

Congratulations to all the worthy finalists and winners celebrated at the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Night, sponsored by Plumbing World. The New Zealand Plumbing Awards Night Dinner always provides a glittering grand finale to the annual conference – and the 2025 event in Brisbane was a stunner. With more than 300 guests attending, the applause rang round the room with every winner announced by Master of Ceremonies Jehan Casinader. Discover them here!

2025 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year

Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas, Wellington

2025 Master Plumbers Business Partner of the Year Allproof Industries

2025 Jackson Women in Plumbing Award

Andrea Lovell of Heron Plumbing

2025 New Zealand Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer Employee of the Year

Darrin Minifie of DL Good Plumbers

Jason and Kirstie Brown of Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas. Turn to page 36 for a full profile.

Mike Fairweather, Jacinta Robertson, Adam Jackson and Alex McIntyre of Allproof.

Andrea Lovell, Director and Office Manager of Heron Plumbing in Auckland.

Darrin Minifie, Commercial Plumbing Manager at DL Good Plumbers in Auckland.

2025 James Douglas Medallion

Plumbing Finalist and Overall Winner – Andrew Smith of EG Glennies

Gasfitting Finalist – Marieke Oram of Clyne & Bennie

Drainlaying Finalist – Daniel Collins of Evergreen Plumbing Group, Hāwera

Andrew Smith, James Douglas Medallion Plumbing Finalist and overall winner.

More than 300 guests attended the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Dinner, sponsored by Plumbing World, to celebrate the finalists and winners.

Marieke Oram, James Douglas Medallion Gasfitting Finalist with James Cowles, Director of Clyne & Bennie.

Daniel Collins, James Douglas Medallion Drainlaying Finalist.

2025 Outstanding Project Award

Hockly Plumbers, Wellington, for their work on Victoria University’s Ngā Mokopuna – The Living Building

2025 Graeme Victor Smith Contribution to the Industry

Aaron Rink of CF Reese Plumbing

2025 Product of the Year

Plumbing World for the Aladdin EasyFit Isolator

2025 Training Leader of the Year

Jacob Smith of Plumbing & Gas Works

2025 Plumbing World Scholarships

Trent Toomey – overall winner

Blake Jones-Downes

Rory van Vroonhoven

Aaron Rink, Founder and Director of CF Reese Plumbing and CEO/Managing Director of Flow Consulting.

From left: Masterlink apprentices Trent Toomey and Blake Jones-Downes. Rory van Vroonhoven was unable to make the event, but Kerryn Reardon from host employer

CF Reese Plumbing collected Rory’s award on his behalf. Read more about Trent, 2025 Plumbing World Scholarship overall winner, on page 74.

Ash Hanrahan and Will McGee of Hockly Plumbers.

Jacob Smith, Director and Contract Manager at Plumbing & Gas Works in Hamilton.

From left: Plumbing World National Sales & Operations Manager Tristan Wilkinson and CEO Rob Kidd with Jon and Jan Lewis. Jon introduced the Aladdin EasyFit Isolator to Plumbing World, having come across the product while visiting the UK, and they recognised its value to plumbers in New Zealand. Turn to page 61 for more details.

Try our award-winningEasyFit Isolator

The quick-fit plumbing isolation valve for live pressurised pipe.

UPC approved, lead free compliant

Fit the Aladdin EasyFit Isolator to hot or cold pressurised pipe

Install in less than 5 minutes

Suitable for NZ copper, PEX, polybutylene, multi layer pipes

Exclusive to Plumbing World

10 year warranty

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

MEMBER

NEW MASTER PLUMBERS WEBSITE IS GO!

The new Master Plumbers website is much more than a pretty face.

Launched in April, the new Master Plumbers website puts members in the driving seat – allowing you to update your individual and company details or your information in the Find a Plumber search.

Customers can now contact members directly through the search, generating more leads for your business.

If you’re a member signing in for the first time, you just need to update your password and you’re in! Member discounts, deals and resources available to members are gold – and they’re now much easier to find and download. You can even bookmark your

favourite documents (eg, employment agreements or workplace policy templates) in your profile area for super quick access.

From your profile area, you can also see all your fuelcard transactions and savings, and choose which email communications you’d like to receive from Master Plumbers.

Take a look around at www.masterplumbers.org.nz. Be in touch with the friendly Master Plumbers team if you have queries at any time: admin@masterplumbers.org.nz

THIS EDITION, MASTER PLUMBERS IS PROUD TO CELEBRATE LONGSTANDING BUSINESS MEMBERSHIPS AND RECENT AWARD WINNERS.

2025 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year

The best member businesses demonstrate the highest standards of service and workmanship, provide professional development for their staff to help them grow, commit to training apprentices, and support their local community.

Wellington’s Jason Brown Plumbing and Gas

delivers on all these and more, which has seen them selected for the supreme Master Plumbers business award in 2025.

Read more about Jason and Kirstie Brown and the team on page 36. And turn to page 26 for all award winners at the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards.

JOIN OUR BWARE WALKTHROUGH WEBINAR

As a member of Master Plumbers, you receive exclusive pricing on BWARE—the health & safety app and manual designed specifically for trade businesses.

On Tuesday 8 July, Master Plumbers is running a free one-hour webinar demo of BWARE’s features, hosted by BWARE Customer Success Manager Matty McLean. The webinar will include real-world use cases, a simple pricing breakdown and a chance to get your questions answered on the spot.

Book your place on the free BWARE webinar, on 8 July from 9.30-10.30am, at https://bit.ly/3SRWFnt

Congratulations to the team at Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas in Wellington, led by Jason and Kirstie Brown, for winning the 2025 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award!

MEMBERSHIP MILESTONE AWARDS

Each year, Master Plumbers acknowledges member businesses marking significant membership milestones. We only have room here to mention businesses that have been members for 30+ years but want to congratulate all the 2025 certificate recipients from around the nationwide Master Plumbers branches.

Interesting fact: At least 11 of the 15 businesses marking 40-year-plus membership milestones are still in the same family as when they started. What an achievement!

80 YEARS

Mander & Co – Wellington

Peter Jackson Plumbing – Southland

64 YEARS

Heron Plumbing – Auckland

60 YEARS

Crawshaw Plumbers – Waikato

MT Carroll – Hawke’s Bay

50 YEARS

Hadlee & Brunton – South Canterbury

Pratts Plumbing – Waikato

42 YEARS

Houghton’s Plumbing, Heating & Gas

– Taranaki

40 YEARS

Arnold Kaijser – Hawke’s Bay

Bill Sheddan Plumbing – Southland

Craig Plumbing – Auckland

D Bidgood Plumbing – Wellington

EG Glennie & Co – Wellington

Jarvis Plumbing & Gasworks

– Hutt Valley/Wairarapa

Long Plumbers – Canterbury

30 YEARS

Ace Plumbing (Huntly) – Waikato

Air Conditioning and Plumbing – Manawatu

Bryant Plumbing & Maintenance – Wellington

Carden Plumbing & Gasfitting Services

– Auckland

Cunningham Plumbing – South Canterbury

Hockly Plumbers – Wellington

IPL – Auckland

Karl Boniface Plumbing – Southland

Kingston & Kemp – Manawatu

Laser Plumbing Dunedin Central – Otago

Professional Plumbing & Gas – Manawatu

Topline Trade Services – Auckland

Tradelink Plumbing & Gas – Auckland

Trumac Plumbing Services – Wellington

Whale Plumbing – Volcanic Plateau

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

Three long-standing member businesses were at the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Conference to receive their Membership Milestone Awards. Shown here are

1. George Chambers of Mander & Co 2. Mike Gooch and Gordon Diggle of EG Glennies 3. Andrea and Dale Lovell of Heron Plumbing.

NEW NAME, SAME COMMITMENT

Aquatherm NZ rebrands as United Supply Co, led by Certifying Plumber and industry advocate Andrew Sommerville.

After more than two decades supplying one of the world’s leading piping systems to the New Zealand market, Aquatherm New Zealand has rebranded as United Supply Co (USCO). While the name has changed, the people and the partnership-first approach remain the same.

At the heart of that evolution is Managing Director Andrew Sommerville, a Certifying Plumber with over 30 years’ experience in the plumbing industry—in New Zealand, the Pacific and the United Kingdom.

Andrew has worked on the tools, run contracting teams, and led supply. That means he understands system performance from both sides—from design and specification through to installation and maintenance. It’s that breadth of experience that’s shaped how USCO shows up today: practical, responsive, and grounded in the real world of plumbing.

“This is a people-first industry,” says Andrew. “We’ve always believed that good products mean nothing without good support. That’s what sets us apart—and that’s not changing.”

Why United Supply Co?

Originally founded in 1998 as Aquatherm New Zealand, the company built its reputation by supplying and supporting the German-made PPR system across commercial, residential and industrial projects.

But over the years, USCO’s product range and customer base have expanded. In 2018, Andrew introduced Mayer Stainless Steel Press Fit to the New Zealand market, a system that quickly became a go-to for high-rise and commercial installs. Then came PEX-A, Cofix accessories, and a growing presence in training and merchant networks nationwide. “We realised we weren’t just ‘the Aquatherm guys’ anymore,” says Andrew. “We were helping customers build full-system solutions and we needed a name that reflected that.”

USCO represents that shift. A united range of technically strong products. A united team backing customers. And a united commitment to raising standards across the industry.

What’s staying the same?

Plenty. The rebrand doesn’t mean a change in ownership, people or philosophy.

“We’re still proudly NZ-owned. Still backing Aquatherm, Mayer and Cofix. And still solving problems, not just moving boxes,” Andrew says.

For him, what matters most is being a trusted partner, not just a supplier. “Whether it’s on-site advice, product training, or helping solve a tough install, we’re in it with you. That’s how we’ve always worked and how we’ll keep showing up.”

Managing Director

Passion for progress

Alongside his leadership role, Andrew is a strong advocate for industry development. He’s driven national training initiatives, led the business through the Global Financial Crisis, and continues to champion sustainable, future-ready systems.

“It’s about more than product. It’s about education, integrity, and doing right by the people who build the backbone of our communities.”

That belief drives USCO’s next chapter, offering more choice, better support, and the same rock-solid reliability the industry has come to expect. Same people. New name. More to offer.

From the tools to the boardroom, Andrew Sommerville has seen how quality systems and quality support can lift the standard across the plumbing industry. With the launch of USCO, he’s backing that belief with a refreshed brand—one designed to reflect how the business really works. Three trusted brands. One united team.

Andrew Sommerville is behind Aquatherm New Zealand’s rebrand as United Supply Co.

Genuine care for their customers and the desire to deliver the highest quality workmanship has earned Jason Brown Plumbing and Gas the top national business award at the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards. NZ Plumber talks to owners Jason and Kirstie Brown about their journey to growth and the values they live by.

AUTHOR: BEVERLY SELLERS

PHOTOGRAPHY: NEIL MACKENZIE

The 12-strong team at Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas in Wellington celebrating their 2025 New Zealand Plumber of the Year Award.

From day one, Jason Brown Plumbing and Gas have been on a mission to provide quality workmanship and excellent service.

They have clearly succeeded, with this Wellington company winning the 2025 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year at the New Zealand Plumbing Awards in May.

It’s been a long journey to receiving this top business award, and owners Jason and Kirstie Brown are the first to admit it hasn’t always been easy. Since starting the business together in 2005, they encountered several major roadblocks, including the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 and the Covid lockdowns of 2020.

“When you start a business, you tend to go in with rose-tinted glasses,” says Kirstie. “You think everything will be easy and wonderful, you’ll have plenty of freedom and time with the family... but there’s a lot to learn!”

Through good times and bad

The fact that they have weathered the hard times and grown their business from sole trader to the current team of 12 is testament to their resilience and forward thinking. Keeping cash reserves, having

good systems in place, diversifying work streams, and not being afraid to ask for help are all proactive measures that have helped them get through unscathed.

They have recently purchased a flushing truck with CCTV to add drain cleaning and unblocking to their service offerings, which has helped them thrive during the current economic downturn.

In boom times, when plumbers everywhere were frantically busy, the business continued taking on the breadand-butter maintenance jobs that some were turning away. “Those same customers are now asking us to help with their bathroom renos,” says Kirstie.

With her background in marketing and design, Kirstie stresses the importance of maintaining marketing efforts in good times and bad. Aside from her role as General Manager, she sends out regular customer newsletters, creates social media posts, and manages the website and budget for Google Ads and SEO services.

Of course, none of these promotional efforts would mean a thing without a genuinely skilled team of professionals. Describing himself as “a quiet achiever”, Jason is a natural leader and role model—

instilling high standards, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic into the team with his personal, open-door approach.

“We try and give the guys good experience across all three trades, in everything from changing tap washers to managing renovations, new builds and light commercial work,” he explains. “We also teach them how to scope and price jobs, as we want them to take the extra step up and become leaders.”

Honest conversation is encouraged, and Jason asks his tradespeople to challenge him and come to him with ideas if they think something could be done better.

Time to grow

Around 10 years ago, Jason and Kirstie called on the services of a business mentor. At the time, Jason had one apprentice working with him and was scrambling to keep up with the workload, while not getting ahead financially.

“He’d be gone at the weekends, while I stayed home with our three kids, Lexie, Sophie and William, and some nights he wouldn’t get home till midnight,” recalls Kirstie. “I used to call him to make sure he wasn’t too tired to drive home.”

Kirstie Brown talking with Office Administrator Malamalaine Kasiano.

“We try and give the guys good experience across all three trades, in everything from changing tap washers to managing renovations, new builds and light commercial work.”

The mentor’s advice was clear: they needed to hire extra hands. It was daunting at first, with Kirstie having to dive in at the deep end and learn all aspects of HR and payroll. Before long, she had also implemented IT systems and admin processes and procedures.

From there, they went from strength to strength, moving from the family chaos of a home office to a rented workshop, and eventually purchasing a building of their own. By 2020, they had two additional people in the office helping with job scheduling and admin, and a growing workforce of apprentices and qualified tradespeople, including Josh Harris as Operations Manager.

Investing in apprentices

Kirstie and Jason have made the conscious decision to take on apprentices, so they can train them in

the way they wanted things done. “It is a big investment financially for the first couple of years, but once they’ve gained experience and confidence, you start to see what they can achieve, and watching the growth and development is very rewarding knowing we have helped another person gain a lifetime skill,” says Jason. “We explain what we’re trying to achieve as a business and tell them we’re on the journey together, so they understand our philosophy and work towards the same goals.”

When Covid lockdowns put a temporary stop to block courses and jobs for the company’s apprentices, Jason took it into his own hands to pair them up for shared online training assignments. He went on to create a training facility above the workshop, where apprentices get together for a fortnightly training session over pizza and a beer.

Customer experience focus

Beyond supporting the team with technical upskilling, there is a major focus on ensuring high quality client interactions.

“We work hard on the customer experience,” says Jason. “We’re tidy, polite and respectful of the property, putting down dropsheets and cleaning up after our work.”

The business carries Jason’s name to reflect the personal, caring touch they bring to each and every project. If anything goes wrong, it’s Jason’s reputation on the line, and they go back and fix it. “It’s the putting right that counts,” he says.

They also back their work with the Master Plumbers Guarantee, having joined the membership organisation in 2017.

“We’ve found it amazing to be part of the network,” says Kirstie, who recently joined the executive committee at their local Lower Hutt/Wairarapa Branch.

“We’re in contact with members all around the country. It can be lonely at the top in business, and it’s great to be able to network, talk to other business owners, and know we’re all going through the same things and be able to have a laugh.”

Kirstie and Jason have also made good use of the resources available to members— downloading employment contracts, taking advantage of deals, and frequently calling the HR Helpline for advice. “It’s really important to tap into that,” says Kirstie. “A lot of people don’t understand employment processes you have to follow, and since we have the resources available to us through Master Plumbers, we definitely take advantage of them. There can be some hard lessons to learn if you don’t follow the correct process.”

Winning the 2025 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award has been the cherry on top. “We’ve had a lot of calls from fellow members and people in the wider trades,” adds Kirstie, who has made sure to promote the win on their vans, website, business cards, invoices and quotes.

“Plumbers tend to be humble people, but it’s nice that we can enjoy the win with the whole team,” says Jason. “It’s exciting for all of us and we plan to celebrate.”

Delivered with care

On their website, Jason Brown Plumbing and Gas promise to put their heart into every project, providing honest, trustworthy, reliable service. When all is said and done, this is what marks them out for success.

“A lot of tradespeople go into business because they like to help people,” explains Jason. “That’s the real reason we went into it, and we never lose focus of that.”

Jason Brown is a strong supporter of apprentice training, instilling high standards and attention to detail in all who work at the business. He’s shown here with team member Damon Smith.

OUT & ABOUT

Go-karting and a delicious slow-cooked BBQ are among the most recent activities around the Master Plumbers branches.

The assembled group.

Go the karts!

Queenstown Lakes District, Otago and Southland members enjoyed an afternoon of go-kart racing at the superb Highlands Motorsport Park in April. The day began with an advocacy and HR update from Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace and People and Culture Manager Lisa Duston and wrapped up with drinks and snacks in the GT Lounge. Congratulations to race winner Andy Collingwood from Flints, who claimed bragging rights with a hot lap, sponsored by Plumbing World. Thanks to Rheem for their event sponsorship.

Patrick Ryan and Matt Rickard of R&R Plumbing and Gas celebrated 10 years of Master Plumbers membership at the event. They’re shown here with Queenstown Lakes District Branch President Ashley McIvor and Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace.

Meat and greet for Hutt Valley/Wairarapa

The Hutt Valley/Wairarapa Branch got together at the end of March to celebrate the New Year. They hosted a BBQ at Branch President Tamati Wilson’s house and had a great night catching up with all the team members that could make it. Tamati and Jason Brown were up very early to start prepping the slow cooked meats, which by all accounts were absolutely divine!

Geoff Hooker receiving GG Don’s 60year Membership Milestone Award from National President Grayson Allen.

Matthew Read celebrating 10 years’ membership for Integrity Plumbing.

Jeff Evans with his West Coast company’s 30-year milestone award.

Membership Milestones in Canterbury

Master Plumbers Membership Milestone Awards were presented to members in the Canterbury region at the Canterbury AGM in March, including an amazing 60 years’ Master Plumbers membership for GG Don. Congratulations to you all!

Simon Walsh with Gascraft Engineering’s 20-year milestone award.

Marcus Van Klink marking 10 years’ membership for Universal Plumbing.

Rob Wallace collecting the milestone10-year award for his On To It Plumbing, Gas & Drainage business.

MASTERLINK HAS RECEIVED MORE RECOGNITION OF ITS LEADERSHIP IN THE APPRENTICE TRAINING SPACE.

Masterlink selected for training provider quality assurance panel

As testament to Masterlink’s specialist knowledge in PGD apprenticeships, Masterlink Apprentice Training Manager Pete Shields has been appointed as a subject matter expert by Waihanga Ara Rau Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council (WDC).

Pete—a Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer, workplace assessor, and former senior tutor—will be part of a quality assurance and moderation panel. Between now and August, they will collectively visit all training providers in New Zealand that deliver the Level 4 Plumbing Gasfitting and Drainlaying apprentice programmes.

Also on the panel are Stephen Bocock, WDC Assurance Specialist, Nik Tse, Delivery Manager for PGD Programmes at EarnLearn, and Martin Kelly, Senior Programme Manager PGD for Skills Consulting Group.

They’ll be speaking to tutors and apprentices, observing teaching and assessment practices, and monitoring resource conditions and availability, H&S policies and compliance. “At the end of the project, reports will be completed by the WDC and feedback given to each provider,” says Pete.

ON THE WAY TO OUTWARD BOUND

Masterlink is thrilled to announce that this year’s Outward Bound scholarship winner is Phil Webster—a Masterlink drainlaying apprentice hosted by Peter Diver Plumbing & Drainage in Christchurch. Phil headed to the 16-day Outward Bound Building Leaders course in the Marlborough Sounds on 24 June, giving him an incredible chance for personal growth, challenge and adventure!

“We’re proud to support the development of our apprentices with this exciting opportunity, and we know this experience will be life changing,” says Masterlink General Manager Rhys Nimmo.

Outward Bound Scholarship winner Phil Webster headed off to the 16-day Building Leaders course on 24 June. Congratulations Phil!

Masterlink Apprentice Training Manager Pete Shields has been appointed as a subject matter expert on the newly formed WDC quality assurance and moderation panel, visiting training providers around New Zealand.

Masterlink

CONGRATULATIONS TRENT, BLAKE AND RORY!

Each year, Plumbing World awards Masterlink apprentices with $1,000 scholarships in recognition of their study diligence, maturity and personal growth. The 2025 winners are Trent Toomey of Gas & Water in Dunedin, Blake Jones-Downes of McBeth Plumbing & Gas in Taupō, and Rory van Vroonhoven of CF Reese Plumbing in Hamilton—with Trent selected as the overall winner. Congratulations to you all—you do Masterlink proud!

260 UNIT STANDARDS AND COUNTING

Masterlink is here to help apprentices who need a little help to stay on track with their studies— whether because of block course delays or for personal reasons.

At Masterlink apprentice workshops, apprentices have a workplace assessor on hand to provide direct support and sign off on unit standards there and then.

This year to May, seven workshops have been held around the regions, with 97 Masterlink apprentices attending and 260 unit standards completed and reported to NZQA. There are plenty more workshops to come—including online options.

Interested in attending? Email admin@masterlink.co.nz

Masterlink milestones

WELCOME

Nau mai, haere mai to new Masterlink apprentices:

Stefan Boortman

Drainpro, Queenstown

Nathan Shelton

Cooke Plumbing Co, Auckland

Quintin Brown

YP Plumbing, Christchurch

Luke Adcock

Marlborough Plumbing & Heating

Joseph Benson

Pearce Plumbing, Hawke’s Bay

Jack Goldspink

Liquid Lines Plumbing, Auckland

Zane Henderson

Gas & Water, Dunedin

QUALIFIED!

Achieving Level 4 qualifications is a major career milestone. Congratulations to: Eliot Dixon in Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying

Ben Collings, Ethan Nicholson, Liam McCathie, Jayden Turton and Shane Hazelden in Plumbing & Drainlaying

Hera Eruera, Kade Wilson, Christopher Linehan, Ben Achilles, George Steed, Jordan Stratford and Alex Bae in Drainlaying

GET IN TOUCH

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

Callum Dimond

Steve Meadows

From left, Blake and Trent collecting their Plumbing World Scholarships at the 2025 NZ Plumbing Awards Night. Rory was unable to be there, so host supervisor Kerryn Reardon stepped in to collect the award on his behalf.

Comply

Hansen Easy Fit Compression Fittings

Hansen Easy Fit ID Compression Fittings

Hansen True Fit Threaded Fittings

Hansen True Fit Tank Fittings

Hansen Full Flow Ball Valves

Hansen Fastflo Valves

Hansen Superflo Plastic & Brass Valves

Hansen

Fit Poly Fittings

THAT’S LIT!

Winter is here and it’s time to light up your work and stay safe.

Proper lighting is essential in creating safe and efficient work environments. Plumbing, gasfitting and drainage tasks often involve working in dimly lit, confined spaces such as under sinks, in basements, or crawl spaces where visibility is limited. Adequate lighting enhances accuracy in identifying and fixing issues.

Portable LED work lights are ideal for such settings, offering bright, focused illumination with low energy consumption and minimal heat output. Headlamps can be particularly useful for hands-free operation in tight spaces. It’s also important to consider colour

temperature—cooler white light mimics daylight and improves detail recognition.

Additionally, ensuring the lighting is durable and resistant to moisture and dust is critical, given the wet environments you often encounter. It’s worth investing in the right solutions.

NZ Safety Blackwoods has over 100,000 products across engineering, tools, safety, workwear and more. Visit nzsafetyblackwoods.co.nz to find out more and view their catalogue.

On the tools

Adequate lighting enhances accuracy in identifying and fixing issues when working in dimly lit spaces.

WATER TREATMENT

The ONLY option

Safe, potable water is a legal requirement for all households, whether urban or rural—and that means disinfection, as water treatment specialist Deborah Prus-Loughlin explains here.

AUTHOR: DEBORAH PRUS-LOUGHLIN, WATER TREATMENT TECHNICAL MANAGER AUSTRALASIA, WHITE INTERNATIONAL

Our world changed in 2021 with the biggest improvement to drinking water legislation in decades. The Water Services Act 2021 now tells us who our water suppliers are and what their responsibilities are. We now have The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai to help regulate water suppliers and provide guidance.

Filtration or disinfection?

It is important to understand that water is only safe to drink if it has been treated to make it safe.

Many people make the mistake of thinking water is safe to drink or doesn’t need to be treated if it is clear, looks good, or tests negative for E.coli. Wrong!

Many hundreds of bacteria, viruses and Water Supplier Domestic Self Supplier

You are currently a water supplier if you supply water to anything beyond a single household.

parasites that can cause illness can be transmitted through inadequately treated drinking water. In New Zealand, we test for only one of these: E.coli. Even if we don’t find it, any of the others could be present.

The ONLY way to be sure water is safe to drink is to disinfect it using something like UV or chlorine. Filters do NOT disinfect water and should not be used on their own on rural water supplies. Filters are designed to remove particles. Bugs are much smaller and go right through.

Who’s a water supplier?

For those of us who work with water, our world is divided into two halves: water suppliers and domestic self suppliers. (see table below).

If the Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes into an Act this July, domestic self suppliers may be extended to domestic shared suppliers. This will include groups of houses of up to 25 people, but the definition needs to be finalised. Watch for updates in the next edition.

New Zealand suppliers are required to test for E.coli but many hundreds of other bacteria, viruses and parasites can be transmitted through inadequately treated drinking water. Shown here is a 3D rendering of the microscopic giardia parasite.

“The ONLY way to be sure water is safe to drink is to disinfect it.”

Deborah Prus-Loughlin

Water supplier responsibilities

Water suppliers must meet the duty of care to supply safe drinking water. The flowchart below outlines how to achieve compliance.

Meet the duty of care –supply safe drinking water

Supply water that meets the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand

Take all reasonable steps to supply water that complies with aesthetic values

Register with Taumata Arowai by November 2025 (to be extended to November 2028)

Up to 500 people

Comply with a Drinking Water Acceptable Solution by November 2028 (to be extended to November 2030)

Any size of supply

Comply with Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules by November 2028 (to be extended to November 2030)

Prepare and operate your supply according to your Water Safety Plan

Domestic self supplier responsibilities

Domestic self suppliers (and soon domestic shared suppliers) need to comply with the Health Act 1956 (see Section 39) and the Building Act 2004 (see Section 123). Both Acts mean safe, potable water is required for all buildings. Any rural untreated water supplies should be disinfected.

In the next edition, Deborah will explain the compliance process for water suppliers.

UV units : validated vs non-validated

Non-validated/standard UV units

Domestic self suppliers (and soon domestic shared suppliers) can use these. Rely heavily on correct sizing, steady water quality and regular maintenance.

No way of knowing if they are successfully treating the water. Although fine for households, there is a risk people will think they are safe when they are not, because:

• quartz sleeve is too dirty to let the light through

• water is too dirty to treat

• they have just reset the lamp counter instead of changing the lamp.

Validated UV units

Water suppliers are required to use these.

Third party certified

Higher UV dose than standard domestic UVs

Sensors ensure enough UV light is getting through to disinfect the water effectively, proving the UV is working and the water is safe 24/7 Shut off valve closes the water supply if the water cannot be treated.

NSF 55 Class A is the most common validation used on smaller water supplies.

About the author: Deborah Prus-Loughlin is the Water Treatment Technical Manager Australasia for White International. She is a specialist in drinking water legislation, water treatment system design for less than 500 people, and tutor of the Small Drinking Water Supplies course delivered through Training Centric. Ph: 09 579 9777; Deborah.Prus-Loughlin@whiteint.co.nz

A small community using a spring water source with chemical treatment and validated UV.

BIDETS, BODY HEALTH & BECOMING WATER WISE

Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace viewed the latest plumbing trends first-hand at the giant ISH Trade Fair in Germany in March. Greg talked to journalist Victoria Clark about what’s taking off in Europe.

Bright colours are making a splash in the contemporary European bathroom, as this image from the 2025 ISH Trade Fair for HVAC and Water shows.

Greg Wallace is not sure I’d be comfortable chatting about toilets, bidets, and bowel motions.

The business of “going number twos,” as he puts it, or ensuring one’s nether regions are then well-washed – well, these are not the usual topics of conversation when you’ve just been introduced, and to be fair, this is the first time I’ve interviewed the Chief Executive Officer of Master Plumbers.

But he’s just seen some “incredible innovations” for the smallest room in the house at the enormous ISH Trade Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, and he’s keen to share the news.

“Well, it’s something we all do and it sounds as though you’re talking about good things for bowel health, so go right ahead,” I tell him.

After all, the incidence of bowel cancer in New Zealand is one of the highest in the world, with more than 1,200 people dying from the disease every year. And Bowel Cancer New Zealand statistics state one in 18 New Zealanders will be diagnosed with bowel cancer in their lifetime.

Having spent five days at ISH, Greg was one of around 50 from the New Zealand

plumbing industry who were wowed by the unbelievable scale of this biennial event— set up throughout 12 vast exhibition halls. He estimates they managed to see 80 per cent of everything on show.

Toilets as health monitors

“Plumbing and drainlaying is essentially all about health,” says Greg. “At ISH we saw just how fast technology is moving and evolving for the betterment of our health.

“In terms of bowel health, the latest incredible innovation is a toilet that can analyse your stool. Using an app on your phone, and sensors in the toilet, it can literally give you a health-check.

“Imagine the benefits of installing this technology in aged care homes, retirement homes and hospitals—it could be as good as doing bowel-testing.”

The Wellness Toilet, an innovation by Japanese plumbingware designer and manufacturer Toto, has sensors in the seat and bowl that analyse skin, body, and body wastes, looking for markers of health issues or imbalances. Based on the analysis, the app can then suggest dietary changes, exercise routines, or even recommend

consulting a healthcare professional if it detects any concerning patterns.

“There was only one Wellness Toilet on display at ISH this time, but things will evolve quickly and, I believe, prices will come down,” says Greg. “They will become more readily available and more affordable.”

Integrated bidets the norm

Of the thousands of toilets on display at ISH, just about all had an integrated bidet, he adds.

“They’re so sophisticated in design, you could barely tell there was a bidet within the toilet. I talked to some of the exhibitors, and they’re estimating, five years from now, every new toilet will have an integrated bidet—and that’s across the world, not just in Europe.

“Obviously, bidets are hygienic, but they also reduce toilet paper usage by up to 30 to 40 per cent. In Wellington, where we have major piping infrastructure issues, it would be a massive advantage to greatly reduce the amount of toilet paper going into that infrastructure.

“With that in mind, some cities in Germany are now saying every new toilet has to have an integrated bidet.”

Most of the thousands of toilets on display had integrated bidets. One innovation from Roca also incorporated the cistern on either side of the pan, run by an integrated pump.

Water retention and reuse

At ISH, there was also a huge emphasis on environmental technologies enabling water retention and re-use.

“Just about every house in Europe has a water filtration system. The technology is incredible,” says Greg. “All the new innovations from Europe were about reusing stormwater and conserving water to make sure the effect on the environment is reduced.”

After many years in the plumbing industry, and 10 years on from becoming Master Plumbers’ CEO, Greg says the number one issue he has observed is that most New Zealanders take the quality of water for granted—despite it being arguably the world’s most precious resource.

“I estimate the recycling of stormwater for greywater and irrigation uses, and some of the technology to do that cost effectively, will become standard for householders across New Zealand over the next three years.

“I think we’ve been slow to adapt to using our natural resources. At the moment, particularly in Auckland, we’re storing stormwater to slow-release it to the stormwater infrastructure—whereas in Europe they are storing water to use in households. That’s what we should be doing.

“Also, water meters are going to become a requirement across New Zealand, so

when they’re a standard thing for every household, I believe people will realise they need to be doing a lot more to capture rainwater as a way of reducing their watersupply consumption and costs.”

In Europe and some parts of America, the requirement to use rainwater and stormwater for greywater usage—such as flushing the toilet and irrigating gardens— is now regulated, he says, and the filtration systems are of such high quality and so effective, they cleanse the water, returning it to 95 per cent purity.

THE DISH ON ISH

5 days

163,000 visitors

2,000 exhibitors

54 countries represented by exhibitors

12 exhibition halls

45 minutes to walk from one end of each hall to the other (hop on/hop off minibuses available!)

The use of heat-pump technology was another prominent feature at ISH 2025, with the technology widely used in Europe for hot water, ducted heating and underfloor heating—all with the aim of reducing energy costs to be more efficient and more sustainable.

Proudly lead-free

While New Zealand is now less than one year away from being legally obliged to install lead-free tapware, the vast majority of all drinking water products on display at ISH were lead-free and all prominently labelled, proudly declaring their lead-free status.

“Here, in New Zealand there has been a lot of push-back from several sources about going lead-free,” Greg says. “There’s a theory that lead-free products don’t last— that they’re not strong enough.

“But when it comes to overseas product, we should only import quality, not the cheap stuff, because the reality is, the world is going lead-free, and New Zealand has to catch up.”

New technology is also being trialled that removes the need for lead-free brass altogether. The creators of this new resintype plastic believe it has “incredible resilience against perishing or becoming brittle” and can be used to make shower mixers and various tap components.

Toto’s Wellness Toilet can make health recommendations by analysing the user’s body wastes.

TOOL CHEST T-90009

COMFORT GRIP HANDLE

EXTRA LARGE EXTENSION TOOL BOX T-90021

SPE20

LARGE GLOVE FRIENDLY LATCH

www.makita.co.nz/solutions/

SPE25

HIDDEN SECURITY TRACKER SLOT

25mm MDPE x 25mm MDPE

20mm MDPE x 20mm MDPE

EPE20

20mm MDPE x 20mm MDPE

EPE25

25mm MDPE x 25mm MDPE

WATCH OUR SOCIALS FOR NEW ADDITIONS TO THIS R ANGE

Brushed black and metallic tapware finishes are making a big splash in the contemporary home— and PVD coating provides exceptional durability.

AUTHOR: VODA PLUMBINGWARE

When it comes to bathroom and kitchen designs, black tapware has become more than a fleeting trend. It is now a defining feature in many homes, offering clean lines, a moody tone, and striking contrast. As a go-to for homeowners seeking to add a modern edge to kitchens and bathrooms, black tapware continues to hold its ground as a versatile design choice that works across a variety of design styles.

Brushed appeal

While matte black has long been the black finish of choice, many designers and homeowners are now turning to brushed finishes for an added layer of sophistication. Brushed tapware offers a more textured, understated look compared to high-gloss or polished chrome, and has quickly become a staple in both contemporary and classic spaces.

Industry trends are increasingly favouring finishes like brushed stainless and brushed brass, which offer a refined aesthetic that complements a wide range of palettes and materials. For those seeking something more distinctive, brushed copper delivers rich, warm tones that bring character to any setting. These finishes provide an elegant alternative to the polished chrome that once dominated bathrooms and kitchens, and their rising popularity suggests they’re not going anywhere soon.

PVD durability

A new addition to this movement is Brushed Black PVD, a finish that merges the design appeal of black, with the texture and depth of a brushed surface. Unlike matte black finishes, which can be prone to showing fingerprints and signs

of wear, Brushed Black PVD is specifically engineered to resist everyday marks and scratches. This is thanks to the Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) process, which bonds the finish to the metal at a molecular level, creating a surface that is both visually stunning and exceptionally durable.

The PVD process begins by brushing the metal to create a fine, textured pattern, followed by applying the coloured coating in a vacuum-sealed environment. The result is a long-lasting finish that enhances both functionality and appearance.

Complementary finishes

For many homeowners, design uniformity across the home is a key priority. A single colour theme, such as brushed brass, can bring cohesion and visual flow from one space to another. However, there’s also a growing appetite for combining complementary finishes. Pairing matte black tapware with brushed copper or brass allows for subtle contrast without overwhelming the design.

As brushed finishes continue to gain momentum, they’re redefining what we expect from tapware. No longer just a functional fixture, tapware has become an integral design element—one that can unify a room’s aesthetic, introduce contrast, or simply elevate the everyday experience of using a space.

About the author: New Zealand-owned company Voda Plumbingware designs and manufactures tapware specifically for local conditions. Voda’s Storm Collection and Apollo Sink Mixers now feature the new Brushed Black PVD finish, offering homeowners and designers a highperformance option that doesn’t compromise on aesthetics. vodaplumbingware.co.nz

Black tapware is here to stay, with brushed finishes growing in popularity. Shown here is Voda Plumbingware’s Apollo Sink Mixer in Brushed Black.

Applying a PVD coating to brushed metal creates a long-lasting and high-performance finish. Shown here is Voda Plumbingware’s Storm Mini Basin Mixer in Brushed Brass.

fall—outlined in NZBC E3 3.3.5—will need to be chased out of the flooring structure. While a traditional floor waste gully is recommended where space allows, in squat floor cavities a range of solutions is available. Allproof’s Revolver has been an industry go-to for years and is now accompanied by the Easy Clean Trap.

With fully tiled showers becoming increasingly popular, Allproof has advice on designing and installing drainage systems to suit.

AUTHOR: ALLPROOF INDUSTRIES

The trend for fully tiled showers has coincided with an increase in multilevel residential construction. Some key design criteria should be considered when installing bathrooms on upper levels.

Floor wastes

The flooring cavity needs to accommodate a floor waste gully below a drainage outlet. This space can become reduced if a level entry tiled shower is specified, as a 1:50

The Easy Clean Trap Kit (ECT50.88) utilises the Cyclone flange with height adjustable spigot, the 100mm to 50mm x 88° Floor Waste Adaptor, and the Easy Clean Trap—a funnel and bucket system that sits in the Cyclone spigot just below the grate (see Figure 1). The Easy Clean Trap Kit can have a depth as little as 117mm with the ability to be increased by the section of 100mm PVC pipe connecting the flange and the Floor Waste Adaptor.

For level entry showers with restricted floor cavity, an Allproof Boss Gully is often installed as a containment floor waste for accidental overflows from a sanitary fixture (NZBC E3/AS1). This could also include the bathroom sink. Allproof developed the first

With clients focusing on looks as much as performance, the Allproof Invisidrain tile insert shower drain creates a discreet drainage system in a tiled bathroom.

Boss Gully sold into the NZ market, which has a 224mm depth and ability to connect other fixtures to it.

The positioning of the shower floor wastes can help maximise the available floor cavity. Locating the floor waste in the centre of the shower reduces the depth of fall, whilst locating it towards the back wall increases the length of the fall and therefore depth, reducing the flooring cavity.

Alternatively, if the above solutions aren’t possible, a hob entry might need to be considered. This allows for the fall to be built up on top of the flooring structure, leaving the cavity at full depth.

Waterproofing

Fully tiled showers require some consideration around waterproofing and drainage systems. The shower area has the highest exposure to water. Tiles are often slightly porous, having a maximum of 6% water absorption (NZBC E3 3.3.1.1 c), and grout is generally not considered waterproof. The responsibility of waterproofing and moisture management relies on the membrane installed below the tiles.

Traditional waterproofing is perfectly acceptable. However, in tiled showers located on upper levels, the client and/or installer may select a tile-over shower tray as a premium option for the extra level of security it offers. Allproof manufacture full stainless steel shower trays custom made to suit each project. Walls are dressed in waterproof membrane that terminates on the tray upstands. The layer of stainless steel acts as an impermeable barrier across the floor in the shower area, directing any subsurface moisture into the drainage system.

The Tile Over Stainless Tray uses an engineered XPS base to provide the required fall in one direction towards a channel drain, improving the installation process by removing the need to screed a fall. Channel drains are compatible with a full floor waste gully as the outlet is 50mm, concealed below an 80mm wide linear grate.

For a centre point drain, the Tile Over Screed Tray will need to be selected so a fall can be created in all directions. The Tile Over Screed can be used with the Shower

Tray Adaptor, which utilises the Cyclone spigot, making it compatible with the Easy Clean Trap and Floor Waste Adaptor for squat floor cavities.

Finishes

Clients often focus on appearance as much as performance. Allproof drainage systems have a wide selection of grate designs available in a range of finishes.

Tile inserts, available in Allproof’s Vision Channel Series, or as the square InvisiDrain, blend in with the surrounding floor tiles, leaving a narrow but efficient drainage gap. This creates a discreet drainage outlet in the shower that is hidden but still easily accessible for maintenance. Planning for the InvisiDrain should occur early on, as the flange often needs to be rebated to allow for the additional depth of the tile insert grate. This may also impact available space in the floor cavity.

Allproof’s Vision shower channels and elegance range come as standard in stainless steel, offering a highly durable and resistant finish. Additionally, Allproof offer a range of colour finishes and custom powder coating on a selection of grates, so that some consistency with the material finishes of other fixtures can be achieved for design cohesiveness.

About the author: Allproof Industries is a New Zealand family-owned company specialising in the

Elegance Grate

Figure 1: The flooring cavity space can become reduced if a level entry tiled shower is specified. Allproof’s Revolver has been an industry go-to for years and is now accompanied by the Easy Clean Trap Kit, which can have a depth as little as 117mm.

Allproof tile floor waste combos include leak control flange, spigot and grate, providing a durable, watertight drain for tile floors in residential or commercial projects.

Hot water heat pumps offer the best return on investment for households with medium to high hot water demand— around three or more people, depending on habits.

Check out these five hot water heat pump installation tips from EECA.

AUTHOR: EECA ( ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITY)

Water heating is about a third of the average household’s energy consumption, and homeowners are increasingly aware of how making the switch to energy efficient heat pump hot water systems can reduce electricity costs over time. With demand for this technology growing, all major suppliers carry a range of these products. Check out these tips for installing them successfully.

1. Make sure the household is a good fit

The more hot water a household uses, the more they stand to save on power bills from improved water heating efficiency.

Hot water heat pumps offer the best return on investment for households with medium to high hot water demand—around three or more people, depending on habits.

2. Match the size to the household’s daily hot water use

Consider the size of both the heat pump unit and the cylinder for split systems, and the overall system size for all-in-one units. Choosing a system that is too large for a household’s needs risks wasting energy and money, while choosing one that’s too small leads to system inefficiency, increased wear and tear, and risk of hot water shortages.

Most systems fall into one of three types. A split system can offer a greater water heating capacity and may be paired with a storage cylinder larger than an all-in-one system typically offers. Split systems offer greater installation flexibility, whereas all-in-one systems are simpler to install.

All-in-one: The entire system is housed in one container, in which the condenser may be integral to the cylinder (no circulation of water required); or stand-alone, requiring a circulating pump to move water from inside the cylinder to the condenser (heat-exchanger) and back.

Split—refrigerant loop: Refrigerant is circulated between the outdoor unit, containing the compressor and evaporator, and the cylinder-integrated condenser.

Split—water loop: This is a type of stand-alone hot water heat pump, where water is circulated between the cylinder and the heat pump. They are supplied as two housings.

Some systems/units can be further sub-divided as either singlepass or multi-pass. Single-pass systems heat the water in ‘one-shot’, whereas multi-pass systems raise the temperature of the water over several successive passes to reach the desired temperature setpoint.

3. Consider the installation environment

Hot water heat pumps perform best in mild to warm climates, and their efficiency can decrease in cooler climates. To mitigate this, select a unit designed to perform efficiently in cooler conditions— ie, one with carbon dioxide as the refrigerant. Coastal/marine environments, and geothermal activity and poor water quality can lead to corrosion in the outdoor unit and impact the hot water heat pump’s lifespan. Installers should ensure the local water supply isn’t overly hard, acidic or alkaline and doesn’t have high chlorine levels.

If you’re installing an all-in-one system, or a split system outdoors, they should ideally be in the warmest spot available, such as the sunny side of a house. It’s important to maintain good airflow around the unit. Hot water heat pumps do make some noise, though most are relatively quiet. Position the outdoor unit away from windows and bedrooms, including those of neighbours.

Hot water heat pumps should be installed at a suitable, safe distance from any LPG swappable bottles, in-situ LPG tanks, or gas meters, in accordance with the Wiring Rules under AS/NZS 3000: 2018.

4. Make sure the hot water heat pump is compatible with existing plumbing

Consider whether the system is low-pressure or mains pressure, as well as the types of taps and other outlets. You may need to install a booster for low pressure systems, or more efficient showerheads for high pressure systems. Check whether the household water supply can deliver what the hot water heat pump manufacturer specifies.

5. Double-check warranties

A hot water heat pump comprises several components, which may each carry different warranties. Make sure you and your customers are fully aware of how the coverage differs across these components.

About the author: The EECA (Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority) is mobilising New Zealanders to be world leaders in clean and clever energy use. www.eeca.govt.nz

Introducing Greens Tapware’s new Lead Free Trade Ranges. Marrying design with functionally these ranges are both stunning and highly practical.

Greens Tapware - designed and engineered in NZ since 1935 – fostering the plumbing industry today for a bright future tomorrow.

Silicone is made from silicone polymers whereas MS polymers, also known as hybrid polymers, combine the best properties of silicone and polyurethane without being the same as either substance.

Structure

Silicones Modified Silane (MS) Polymers

Silicones and MS polymers are widely used as sealants and adhesives in the construction industry. In this article, Soudal explains the key differences, to help you choose the right product for the task at hand.

Highly flexible and resistant to environmental factors. Cure by reacting with moisture in the air, forming a rubbery, flexible material. Require a dry surface and cannot be painted.

Offer a balance between flexibility and strength. Have a thicker viscosity, meaning they are less likely to slump. Cure with moisture, but the resulting bond often tends to be more rigid than silicone.

Can be applied to damp surfaces and can be painted.

Adhesion & Bonding Strength

Silicones MS Polymers

Offer long-term durability but their adhesive strength is typically lower than MS polymers.

Bond well to non-porous surfaces like glass, metal and ceramics. May require primers for bonding to porous materials like wood or concrete.

Elasticity & Flexibility

Known for their strong adhesive properties.

Can effectively bond to a wide range of materials, including porous and non-porous surfaces, without the need for primers, unless in a stress-loaded application.

Highly versatile in situations where strong bonding is crucial.

Silicones MS Polymers

Highly elastic and can accommodate significant movement in joints and seams without losing their seal. Ideal for use in areas subject to frequent expansion and contraction, such as around windows or in building facades.

Some offer the same degree of flexibility as the best facade silicones, but many are less elastic. Provide a stronger, more durable bond that can withstand higher mechanical loads, making them ideal when both flexibility and strength are required.

Silicones are highly elastic, UV and water resistant, and can adhere to a wide variety of surfaces.

Resistance to Environmental Factors

Silicones MS Polymers

Highly resistant to extreme temperatures, UV radiation and moisture.

Maintain these properties over a wide temperature range and do not degrade when exposed to sunlight, making them ideal for outdoor use.

Curing Time & Process

Offer good resistance to environmental factors but MS polymer adhesives are typically not as resistant to UV radiation as silicones. When used for facade and window applications, they are on par with the UV resistance silicones offer. Excel in applications where chemical resistance and mechanical durability are important, such as in industrial settings.

Generally, cure more slowly than MS polymers, taking up to several days to set to full adhesive strength depending on the product and environmental conditions. The curing process is moisturedependent, so high humidity can speed up this process.

Ideal Use

MS Polymers

Cure faster than silicones and achieve a greater bond strength relatively quickly. This makes them advantageous in applications where time is of the essence.

Silicones MS Polymers

Especially useful in areas where movement is expected, as they remain flexible over time without cracking. Often used to seal gaps, joints and seams around windows, doors, sinks, bathtubs and in other areas where water resistance is crucial. Can adhere to a wide variety of surfaces, including glass, metal, plastic and ceramic that does not require painting.

So, to conclude...

Preferred

when

strong

bonding and quick curing are needed

Used in construction (to bond and seal facades, windows and doors), automotive (as a bonding agent in bodywork and windshields), and industrial applications (eg, manufacturing processes) where a durable and strong seal is required.

Both silicones and MS polymers have their unique strengths, making them suitable for different applications. Silicones are ideal for environments requiring high flexibility, temperature resistance and durability, while MS polymers provide strong adhesion, have quicker curing times, can be painted, and are versatile across a wide range of materials.

By understanding these subtle differences, you can make an informed decision to choose the right product for your specific job.

About the author: Soudal are experts in sealants, foams and adhesives, and have been part of the New Zealand industry for more than 30 years. For help or advice, feel free to get in touch with a Soudal expert by emailing info@soudal.co.nz

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Silicones

THIS EDITION’S ROUND-UP OF NEW PRODUCTS—INCLUDING THE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AT THE 2025 NEW ZEALAND PLUMBING AWARDS!

NEW products from Rinnai Rinnai Enviroflo™ GR Series Hot Water Heat Pump Reliable, Efficient Hot Water

Rinnai are excited to expand their Hot Water Heat Pump range with the new Rinnai Enviroflo™ GR Series. Designed for versatility, these high-performance systems come in 215L, 265L, and 300L capacities, catering to a variety of installation needs across New Zealand.

Built to handle New Zealand’s unique climate, the GR Series operates under water pressures up to 1000kPa, ensuring durability and dependable performance. Plus, it utilises R290 natural refrigerant,

an environmentally friendly choice that supports sustainability.

With an integrated electric boost element, there’ll always be hot water at the perfect temperature—whenever it’s needed.

The GR Series is also Solar PV compatible*, allowing for seamless integration with solar energy systems to maximise efficiency.

Experience smarter, sustainable hot water with the Rinnai Enviroflo™ GR Series. Discover more at rinnai.co.nz

*When used with a third-party interface

Rinnai INFINITY® NB56

Flagship water heater

The new Rinnai INFINITY® NB56 is a high efficiency condensing water heater that replaces the N56 model. It features Rinnai SmartSense adaptive gas valve technology that adjusts the unit to either natural gas or LPG for optimal combustion.

The Rinnai INFINITY® NB will arrive in the carton requiring the gas type and location (indoor or outdoor) to be set before it can operate. This is done using the front panel controller when the appliance is first powered up.

Milwaukee M18™ Stick Water Pump

The M18™ Stick Water Pump M18BLSWP0 delivers superior filtration for uninterrupted pumping in catch basins, water meter boxes, trenches, sump pump pits, and more. Featuring a 121cm submersible aluminium barrel, this transfer pump provides the extension needed to reach water at the bottom of trenches and hard to reach areas.

Equipped with HydroPass filter technology, the 360° filter maximises flow in heavy debris, minimising downtime caused by clogging. Powered by the M18™ battery platform, this water pump eliminates repetitive manual pumping and improves control, requiring only one hand to pump, freeing the other to control the outflow, effortlessly pumping up to 94 litres per minute.

With a 5 metre max head height and an adaptable 32mm threaded outlet that allows you to connect to a standard 18mm garden hose with the included Y adapter, this pump delivers the power to push water further.

To book a test drive from your local Milwaukee Job Site Specialist, visit milwaukeetool.co.nz/jobsite-solutions

A QR code on the carton will take you to the quick start guide. Instructions are also contained in the manual provided with the appliance. Selections take only a few seconds to make.

Having commissioned the NB56 using the front panel, other parameters can be configured in the usual way by removing the front panel or using the Rinnai Plumber App available on the Apple and Google play stores.

For more information, visit rinnai.co.nz

Aegis-316 Outdoor Collection from Voda

Upgrade your outdoor space with Aegis-316, Voda’s new premium collection of 100% lead-free 316 stainless steel showers designed for those who demand the best. With a focus on modern minimalism and uncompromising durability, Aegis-316 brings a seamless blend of style and function to your outdoor shower.

Constructed from lead-free 316 stainless steel, also known as Marine Grade stainless steel, Aegis-316 is the preferred choice for outdoor applications, or for those seeking a premium option for indoor use.

Why Choose Aegis-316?

100% lead-free & non-toxic –

Engineered for purity, ensuring safe, clean water for your family.

Superior 316 stainless steel –

Exceptional corrosion and rust resistance, perfect for environments prone to saltwater exposure, such as coastal areas, or other harsh conditions.

Minimalist, modern design – Sleek lines and a brushed 316 stainless finish for an effortlessly contemporary aesthetic.

Built to last – Precision-crafted with high-quality materials for long-lasting performance and reliability.

Find out more at vodaplumbingware.co.nz, or at selected plumbing specialists across New Zealand.

Introducing Nero Serenity

Nero Serenity is an innovative new bathroom collection blending marble’s natural beauty with modern metal craftsmanship. Featuring five unique marble handles and six metal finishes, it offers a minimalist design with lasting durability. Personalised choices allow you to create a distinctive, timeless look for your bathroom.

Its minimalist design not only ensures lasting durability but also offers a range of personalised options, allowing you to create a truly unique bathroom aesthetic. Inspired by the natural beauty of the earth, this collection is a design that will remain appreciated for decades to come, blending nature’s finest materials with craftsmanship that stands the test of time. nerotapware.co.nz

Aladdin EasyFit Isolator

Exclusive to Plumbing World

The Aladdin EasyFit Isolator can be installed in minutes into a live pressurised pipe to quickly isolate the water supply. This full-bore, quarter turn valve isolates water at the point of works, avoiding inconvenience to other residents. With no need to drain down the entire water system, it is also a time and money saver. New to New Zealand, the EasyFit Isolator has been trusted by plumbers in Europe for more than a decade.

Rheem’s NEW Indoor Stainless Steel Hot Water Cylinders

Rheem is proud to expand its extensive range of stainless steel hot water cylinders in New Zealand, emphasising quality, innovation, and sustainability. Rheem’s new indoor stainless steel cylinders are designed based on market feedback, featuring the removal of solar connection points for easier installation and the elimination of box cartons to reduce waste. These improvements also allow Rheem to offer a more competitively priced product. Specifically designed for New Zealand conditions, these cylinders are tested in Rheem’s independently IANZ accredited laboratories to ensure compliance with NZ MEPS standards. They are 100% electric, supporting a sustainable future.

Key features of the new range include: Sizes from 135L to 300L, all with a 560mm diameter Lightweight design for easy one-person transport and installation Left and right-hand connection options.

Rheem’s fully featured stainless steel indoor and outdoor ranges remain available for those needing connections to heat pumps or solar.

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• S&P combinations

• Compact S & Tight P units

• Vented options

• Telescopic options

• 1 or 2 inlets options

• Back-to-wall options

• Long & short tail options

• Overflow options

• Waste & Trap options

• Parts available

• Standard chrome

• Eurostyle chrome

• Black Eurostyle w/ pop-up waste

• 32/40mm

RECRUITMENT & RETENTION

TAKING ON someone new?

Good people are getting harder to find—and keeping them is just as important. Follow these 5 quick tips to set up your new hire for success.

AUTHOR: LISA DUSTON, PEOPLE & CULTURE MANAGER, MASTER PLUMBERS AND MASTERLINK

We hear it a lot from plumbers around the country—managing new employee expectations can be tough. You hire someone new and have high hopes, but sometimes they don’t deliver quite how you’d hoped. Getting it right from day one makes all the difference. A strong start, clear communication, and regular feedback can help new recruits (and you!) avoid frustration down the track. Here are five quick tips:

1. Start strong with a proper induction. Show them how your business runs, your standards, and what’s expected. Don’t assume they’ll just pick it up.

2. Set clear expectations early. Be upfront about what a good day’s work looks like—and what’s not acceptable.

3. Keep the feedback flowing. Regular, honest chats help keep people motivated and heading in the right direction.

4. Invest in your team. Whether it’s a course, tool training, or simply teaching them the ropes properly, it pays off in the long run.

Start as you mean to go on with a proper induction into your business and what’s expected.

5. Look after their wellbeing. Plumbing’s a tough job. A bit of support when they need it builds loyalty and keeps people around.

If you’re looking for more advice, check out the suite of Master Plumbers HR Guidance at www.masterplumbers.org.nz. It’s packed with practical tips on recruitment, setting expectations, and managing performance if things get tricky.

Thinking about hiring an apprentice?

The best way to find a good tradesperson is to grow your own. Apprenticeship Boost funding is still available, so now’s a great time to bring fresh talent into the trade. If you want help finding and supporting an apprentice, Masterlink is here to make it easier.

About the author: Lisa Duston is People & Culture Manager at Master Plumbers. Lisa is here to provide FREE HR and employment advice to member businesses. Find the helpline number at www.masterplumbers.org.nz

GEARING UP FOR GROWTH

How to market your plumbing business in a tight economy.

AUTHOR: RHYS NIMMO, GENERAL MANAGER, MASTER PLUMBERS AND MASTERLINK

It was fantastic to see so many of you at the NZ Plumbing Conference in Brisbane. What a vibrant, action-packed, and insightful three days! It was our pleasure to host you.

One of the standout sessions was the panel discussion on How to Thrive in 2025, where the focus was squarely on generating business in a challenging economy. Panellists shared how they’ve streamlined operations and sharpened their cost structures to stay agile and ready for when the market rebounds—because it will. The only unknown is when.

To borrow a surfing analogy: you have to start paddling before the wave breaks. So, while we wait for the tide to turn, the question becomes: How do you get your business seen now, so customers think of you first when the work rolls in?

Here are some low-cost, high-impact marketing strategies to help you stay visible and generate work in the meantime:

Boost your local visibility

GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE

If you haven’t already, claim or update your Google Business Profile. It’s free and essential.

Add photos of recent jobs

Encourage and respond to reviews

Post weekly updates: before-and-after photos, seasonal tips, and any special offers.

These updates help you show up in local searches and build trust.

SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTENT MARKETING

Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay top of mind. Share: before-and-after job photos weekly maintenance tips behind-the-scenes shots of your team in action testimonials from happy customers (with their permission).

Consistency is key—aim to post at least once or twice a week.

RECORD QUICK VIDEO CLIPS

Short, helpful videos can build trust and show your expertise. For example: What to do in a plumbing emergency

Gas safety tips for winter How to avoid blocked drains

These don’t need to be polished—just helpful, friendly, and genuine.

TAP INTO REFERRALS & REPEAT BUSINESS

Happy customers are your best promoters. Make it easy for them. Hand out a simple referral card. For example: “Refer a friend and you both get $25 off your next job.”

Encourage customers to save your contact info on their phone.

Follow up with past clients via email or text:

“Thanks for using us—we’d love a review if you were happy!” “Winter is coming—has your gas heater been checked?”

Sweeten the deal with a time-limited offer:

“Free home plumbing check with any paid job this month.”

“Half-price pre-winter gas appliance check.”

“To borrow a surfing analogy: You have to start paddling before the wave breaks.”

Rhys Nimmo General Manager, Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ and Masterlink

Add value while you’re on site

McDonald’s built an empire by asking: “Would you like a Coke and fries with that?”

You can do the same. Once the emergency’s sorted and the homeowner is relieved and grateful, it’s the perfect time to ask:

“Is there anything else I can check while I’m here?”

“Got any renovations coming up?”

“Do you know anyone else who might need a plumber?”

Turn this into a habit. Make it part of your toolbox talks, so the whole team knows: Every job is an opportunity to help more, build trust, and uncover new work.

Leverage your Master Plumbers status

The Master Plumbers brand is a powerful trust signal. Use it: in your marketing materials on your estimates, quotes and invoices on your vehicle signage on your website and social media.

Reassure hesitant homeowners with clear messaging around your certification, licensing, and quality guarantees. And don’t forget to update your profile on the new Master Plumbers website— especially for the Find a Plumber section.

Gear up your workforce

Are you ready for the upturn?

Many businesses have scaled down their teams to manage costs—but when demand returns, there’s likely to be a skills shortage and a rush for apprentices.

Masterlink has high-calibre apprentices ready to go now. If you’re in a position to take someone on, now’s the time to secure the best talent and build capacity.

Turn your people into your salesforce

Every interaction—in-person or online—is a chance to promote your business. Encourage your team to: represent the brand proudly on site ask happy customers to leave reviews share job highlights on their own social media (with guidelines). Your people are often your best ambassadors—give them the tools and encouragement to spread the word.

Final thought: Paddle now, catch the wave later

No matter what the economy is doing, the market is fair—it rewards businesses that create value and stay visible.

We can sit back and wait for things to pick up. Or we can get paddling now—and grab a greater share of the work that’s out there today

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GROUP MEDICAL INSURANCE A strategic advantage

Group medical insurance—offered by employers to cover their employees —is becoming a top company perk as public health wait times increase.

The large majority (62%) of Kiwis are concerned about their personal health, according to EMA and nib’s Workplace Wellbeing Survey*. However, with the cost-of-living crisis continuing to bite, individual health insurance is unaffordable for many—which is why group medical insurance is becoming an increasingly attractive employee benefit.

Group medical insurance saves employees the expense and hassle of having to organise their own insurance. It offers various benefits, including coverage for pre-existing conditions and earlier treatment options than a public waitlist. Families benefit too, with parents able to book paediatric appointments without a stressful wait.

Working with an adviser streamlines the insurance process, particularly at claim time. Business owners can focus on work, knowing a claim is underway with a trusted adviser. Where’s the value?

The value of medical insurance is easy to dismiss until you, an employee or a family member needs it.

“It can literally be life-saving compared with the public health system,” says one business owner. “It enabled me to seek private health care without the stress of being on a waiting list. It also ensured the cost of my treatment was not a financial

COMPETITIVE RATES

AUTHOR: JAMIE COLTMAN, FOUNDER, ADVICE FINANCIAL

“Employees value having quick access to specialist care and treatment.”

Jamie Coltman Founder, Advice Financial

burden on top of the emotional and physical stress I was already experiencing.”

“Having access to specialists removes unhealthy prolonged anxiety,” another business director agrees. “It’s good business as downtime is minimised.”

Employee perk that benefits the boss

Group health insurance is also a valuable offering for businesses, with 64% of employees expecting their employer to

WITH ADVICE FINANCIAL

offer health insurance, and 66% believing it helps attract and retain staff*.

Employees value having quick access to specialist care and treatment. Medical insurance improves an employee’s health and wellbeing, according to 58% of employers and HR practitioners*.

Make your insurance more affordable

Health insurance is getting more expensive, driven by increasing healthcare expenses and a higher volume of claims. The cost of pharmaceuticals has increased, and medical technology has advanced. Staff shortages across the health sector have led to a surge in claims as Kiwis utilise their private insurance to avoid long waits in the public system. ACC and Southern Cross posted large deficits in 2024 as a result.

ACC is proposing to increase levies and, alongside this, Kiwis should expect larger than normal increases to their medical insurance premiums.

Against that financial backdrop, it’s important to work with a financial adviser to ensure you’re getting the best deal and fully understand the ins and outs of your cover. Financial advisers can also help with navigating the insurance process, particularly when it comes to claim time.

* EMA and nib’s Workplace Wellbeing Survey 2024

Master Plumbers has teamed with Advice Financial to offer members insurance through nib’s market-leading group health product.

If you’re concerned about managing costs, speak to Advice Financial before you cancel insurance. Once cancelled, health insurance can be very difficult to reinstate for the same terms and benefits further down the road when your financial situation improves. Advice Financial can suggest ways to manage costs in the short term—for example, by increasing excesses or revising benefit levels. Talk to your adviser about how to reduce your premiums to alleviate pressure until the storm blows over. www.masterplumbers.org.nz/Web/Member-Benefits-Discounts/Advice-Financial

MAKES IT EASY FOR YOU

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DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP!

Master Plumbers has partnered with the CHASNZ Work Should Not Hurt programme to help plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers enjoy long, pain-free careers.

Everyone knows a plumber with a sore back, crook knees or dodgy shoulder. For too long, aches and injuries have been seen as ‘part of the job’. But that mindset is hurting the industry and the people in it.

“It’s a sad and problematic attitude in our industry,” says Ra Puriri, who became one of NZ’s oldest apprentice plumbers after a long career in engineering. “You don’t need to beat yourself up every week. There’s a better way to work, protecting your body while still getting the job done.”

Changing the culture by working safer and smarter, not harder

To shift the dial, Master Plumbers has partnered with Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ) to promote the Work Should Not Hurt programme. The goal? Help plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers enjoy long, pain-free careers, and retire when ready, not prematurely through injury.

“Injuries like sprains and strains are not inevitable,” says CHASNZ ergonomist Chris Polaczuk. “We need a long-term commitment to prevent wear and tear injuries. These injuries are ending careers. With some smarter planning and a few changes to how we work, we can prevent a huge number of them.”

Sprains and strains are the most common injury in the sector. In 2024 alone, ACC received more than 1,200 soft-tissue injury

claims from the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry, resulting in 54,000 days off work—with the average claim being 42 days!

Real work, real risks

Ra Puriri knows the physical nature of the job all too well, having suffered an injury to his knee while lifting a tank on loose gravel. “If I had just stopped and thought, ‘Let me stand up on the solid ground’, it might have been different,” he says. The injury has delayed his apprenticeship completion, but he now uses his experience to help others as a CHASNZ advisor.

Injuries don’t just affect the person hurt—they impact family, friends and workmates. Preventing injuries not only protects people but supports businesses with staff retention, career progression, productivity and worker wellbeing.

Top 5 safety tips for injury prevention

1. Get work off the ground: Try to avoid working bent over

2. Get closer to the task: Reduce the need to work with your arms raised or overstretching

3. Take regular breaks: Especially when working in awkward positions

4. Lighten your load: Only carry the tools you’ll need and use

5. Use a trolley: Keep your gear in one place and move it easily.

Chris Polaczuk providing an on-site ergonomic toolbox talk.

The Work Should Not Hurt team at CHASNZ, aka Ergo Brothers Chris Polaczuk and Stephven Kolose.

For free tools, videos and injury prevention resources, scan the QR code below.

Be in to WIN an on-site ergonomics session + team BBQ!

Thanks to the Work Should Not Hurt team at CHASNZ (aka the Ergo Brothers), you and your crew could win:

A free ergonomic site or workshop evaluation

A practical toolbox talk A team BBQ – on them!

There are THREE prize packs to give away.

How to enter:

Scan the QR code right and complete the online Foundation Assessment Toolkit. It takes only 1-2 minutes, and you’ll instantly receive a personalised report with practical tips and resources for managing strains and sprains that you can use in the workplace with your team. Bonus – you’ll automatically go in the draw for a chance to win!

Open to Master Plumbers member businesses only. Entries close 31 August 2025.

Chris talking to Wellington plumber Amber Lewis-Clarke, who says it’s easy to push through a niggle when crawling under houses or up in ceilings, but the small strains can add up.

OUR 2025 COMPETITION IS UNDERWAY!

Congratulations to all our Branch Winners so far. Follow along and stay up-to-date with all the action on FB and Instagram.

“The Young Plumber of the Year event was an incredible opportunity to learn, connect, and grow within the industry.

I’m grateful to Plumbing World for their commitment to supporting the next generation of plumbers.”

THANKS TO OUR 2025 SPONSORS Robbie Parker, 2024 contestant, Foleys Plumbing

APPRENTICE REPRESENTATIVE GROUP

Georgia Simeon is in the final year of her Masterlink apprenticeship, with just her gasfitting unit standards remaining to complete her PGD qualification.

GEORGIA JOINS ARG

Meet Masterlink apprentice Georgia Simeon—the newest apprentice member of the Apprentice Representative Group.

AUTHOR: PETER WHITE

Career starters

Georgia Simeon is passionate about being a tradie. She would love to see more female school leavers consider the trades as a career option.

The 27-year-old has completed two-thirds of her Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying Apprenticeship (PGD), with just her gasfitting units to complete.

Georgia, who works for Karl Boniface Plumbing Ltd in Invercargill, is doing her bit to encourage more young females into the trades.

For the last two years, she has been on the panel at the Girls in Trade Expo held in Southland. The expo is for Year 11 and Year 12 girls.

Georgia believes it is important students know that the trades welcome people—no matter their gender.

“The expo is a great opportunity to show a female perspective and also give girls a chance to try out and learn about all the trades,” she says. “A lot more girls seemed interested and asked more questions—and we gave genuine, honest answers. It is the best time to really promote our trade to school leavers.”

The increase in female tradies has grown in the last decade. When Georgia began her apprenticeship, there was just one other female in Invercargill—now many are involved. “It is good to see them coming through. I wish more would. I love what I do.”

It has taken nearly five years for Georgia to complete her apprenticeship, which combines on-job training with off-job training and assessment blocks.

“I am a qualified plumber and drainlayer, and in my last year of gasfitting. It sounds a really long time. To have all three qualifications makes it more attractive for further employment, but also it gives you variety. One day I am plumbing, the next day I’m drainlaying, then the next day I am gasfitting.

“You get so much more variety in doing all three. You don’t ever get bored. I love them all but probably prefer gasfitting. It is cleaner for one thing, and you get that immediate satisfaction when you see it all working.”

To have all three qualifications makes it more attractive for further employment, but also it gives you variety. One day I am plumbing, the next day I’m drainlaying, then the next day I am gasfitting.

Georgia went to Southland Girls’ High School. In Year 13, she took Geography, Tourism, English, Maths and Hospitality. She left school unsure of what to do, so worked in various places to earn money and gained plenty of life experience along the way.

She applied for an electrical apprenticeship but missed out, then saw a plumbing apprenticeship advertised through Masterlink.

Masterlink is 100 per cent owned by Master Plumbers. It is the largest New Zealand-owned nationwide mentored apprenticeship programme specialising in plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying.

“They have been great, to be honest,” says Georgia. “They placed me with my host company, sorted out all my block courses, put me through extra training, and took care of health and safety for working on heights. They even offer Outward Bound, if you want to do it.

“They check up on you to make sure you are doing alright. I was also nominated for a 2025 NAWIC Apprentice of the Year award, so that was cool.”

This article is reproduced from Leaving School magazine, issue 32, published by Oliver Lee Publications: oliverlee.co.nz/category/leaving-school

For more information on apprenticeships in plumbing, gasfitting and/or drainlaying through Masterlink, visit masterlink.co.nz

Q&A WITH GEORGIA

Georgia Simeon was invited to join the Apprentice Representative Group (ARG) to replace Maria Contreras Huerta, who has now completed her Masterlink apprenticeship. ARG gives a platform for plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying apprentices to actively contribute to our industry by representing apprentice interests, fostering growth, and encouraging leadership within the industry.

Q: What made you want to join ARG?

A: I’m passionate about the trade and want to actively contribute. I like the opportunity to be able to represent Southern region apprentices, as there was a gap in that area. I look forward to working alongside like-minded people and seeing what other apprentices may be facing—and hopefully be able to help or guide them to advice or answers.

Q: What important issues do you hope to be across as an ARG member?

A: Block courses is a huge one—the lack of them, or uncertainty of when apprentices can go on the next one.

Georgia works at Karl Boniface Plumbing in Invercargill and looks forward to representing the Southern region as a new apprentice member of the Apprentice Representative Group.

If you’d like to share insights or feedback from your apprenticeship journey, please contact ARG committee member Lisa Duston: lduston@masterplumbers.org.nz

DRIVE TO succeed

PGD apprentice Trent Toomey is a super humble guy who’s achieving at a high level. And it’s not gone unnoticed by his Masterlink regional manager, host business and judges for the Plumbing World Scholarship Awards.

AUTHOR: DAWN ADAMS

Just three years into his PGD apprenticeship and 21-year-old Trent Toomey has already completed all exams and assessments for years one to five. Now placed with Sean and Shelley Reynolds at Gas and Water in South Dunedin, the couple couldn’t speak more highly of him. It’s clear he’s great at what he does but it’s also his proactive attitude and work ethic that shine out and make him a key member of their team.

Masterlink Regional Manager Danny Ledwith agrees. He’s watched Trent take charge of his own learning, look for opportunities to fill his assessment gaps wherever he can—and work individual weeks with other host businesses who could offer the missing tasks he needed to tick off.

Apprentice scholarship

Danny Ledwith nominated Trent for a Plumbing World Scholarship in the 2025 New

Zealand Plumbing Awards. The apprentice was an obvious contender for one of the three scholarships, awarded each year to flourishing Masterlink apprentices. Sean and Shelley added in a solid reference and no surprise Trent took out the overall award—with a $1,000 Plumbing World credit as his prize, which he plans to spend on tools to make his day-to-day job easier.

Trent’s speedy completion of assessments, his initiative in finding

Masterlink apprentice Trent Toomey loves his work at Gas & Water in Dunedin and owners Sean and Shelley Reynolds know they can trust him to represent the business positively.

opportunities for assessment, and also his personal outlook were three of Danny’s recommendation focuses.

“Roughly 12 months ago he made the decision to take full responsibility for his learning and get anything that he was in control of completed—and he has done just that.

“He very much has a ‘get on with it’ attitude when it comes to work, and each task is approached with energy and enthusiasm, constantly impressing those who he works with.”

Danny adds that Trent’s drive to seek opportunities during his apprenticeship is evidence of growth and maturity that’s been built across his three years of learning. His driven approach meant that at some points he was waiting for assessments to be released, as they hadn’t even been created yet.

He’s certainly kept Danny on his toes.

Going the extra mile

Sean and Shelley Reynolds know they can trust Trent to represent their business positively. They’ve watched him grow his knowledge with help and mentorship from senior team members. “While on site with our more qualified staff he actively seeks out areas where he can contribute, anticipating how the job is to be done and eager to learn new skills,” says Sean.

Trent’s recently been involved in drainage work in some busy public spaces. This has tested him in a number of areas and allowed him to put

his theory into practice alongside a qualified drainlayer colleague.

Sean and Shelley appreciate Trent’s positivity and enthusiasm no matter the task. And the fact he always checks in for extra tasks—if he finishes a job earlier than expected—confirms his good work ethic.

Journey into plumbing

Trent’s always been interested in working with his hands. He says after doing some research and talking to people in the industry, he applied for an apprenticeship through Masterlink.

It’s clear Trent’s found his niche with plumbing. He enjoys the variety and problem-solving nature of the work and that no two days are the same. Trent finds service repair work rewarding. Identifying the

perfectly again by the time you leave” is where it’s at for the young apprentice.

He appreciates that calling in a plumber is often a result of something going wrong at a client’s home or business. He knows this can be overwhelming. But he’s careful to explain his process in simple terms for customers and says, “I want them to feel informed, and confident in the task I am doing.”

When it comes to his award win Trent says it was a huge honour and quite unexpected. “To be recognised in that way really validated the effort I’ve put in. It’s motivated me to keep pushing myself to become the best tradesperson I can be.”

And it’s not the first plumbing award Trent has won. Last year he was recognised with the Trustees Apprentice Award for Otago at the 2024 Mac Mackenzie Trust Awards. This achievement was for secondyear apprentices who excel in their training or have overcome significant challenges.

What does the future hold?

Short-term, Trent’s goal is to get as much experience as he can.

Longer term he says, “I’d love to run my own plumbing business and eventually take on apprentices of my own. I’d love to pass on the skills I have learnt from the incredible tradespeople I have worked with.”

He enjoys the opportunities and challenges plumbing gives him and says he’d recommend an apprenticeship in plumbing to anyone wanting a hands-on career.

When he’s not working you can find Trent either weight training at the gym, or 4-wheel driving. He admits he probably spends more time fixing his 4-wheel drive than being on the tracks but he enjoys developing his practical skills in another direction.

Trent is the overall winner of the three 2025 Plumbing World Scholarships, each worth $1,000, presented each year to high achieving Masterlink apprentices.

INew Zealand trade training facilities are lagging behind their counterparts across the Tasman and more investment is needed, says Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace.

recently returned from a trip to Tasmania and, while I remain positive about the opportunities in New Zealand, it’s hard to ignore how the state of our trade training facilities is impacting the experiences of our apprentices.

As a representative of the larger Master Plumbers Australia and New Zealand Association (MPANZ), I toured the state-of the-art Water and Energy Trades Centre of Excellence in Hobart, Tasmania—a state with a population of just over 500,000—and was blown away by the quality, both of the facility and the tools available to plumbing apprentices.

The centre, completed in 2023, has a three-storey tower block that replicates the pipes and inner workings of a multi-storey building, and a huge indoor drainage pit used for sanitary, water and drainage

training, as well as trench-shoring and pipe installation. Right down to the working solar system installed on its roof, the facility represents a commitment to technology and innovation.

Training facility investment

In stark contrast, most of our plumbing training takes place inside dated facilities that lack any real-world simulation of important skills. We’ve had apprentices report using tired old bits of pipe that have made it into the hands of one too many enthusiastic first years.

Practical facilities in New Zealand have been woefully underresourced and, as the trade continues to make technological advances in things like smart fixtures, renewable gas and AI-

The state-of-the-art Water and Energy Trades Centre of Excellence in Hobart, Tasmania.

powered monitoring and leak detection, we continue to lag behind. There’s no way around it; our apprentices are sorely missing out.

We hear a lot about the brain drain to Australia, but there’s also a significant skills drain, as apprentices and certifying tradespeople head to greener pastures. We’re short of over 3,000 plumbers in this country, and as older generations of tradespeople age out of the industry, we are desperate for new people to fill this growing gap. But for the trade to be a competitive career option in this landscape, New Zealand needs to invest in its training facilities.

Consolidation the solution

Many might mistake a call for investment as a push to increase the number of facilities offering training. What I’m suggesting instead is a consolidation, creating one or two well-resourced and high-quality national Centres of Excellence, like the one in Hobart. These would be equipped with the latest tools and top-quality instructors. Apprentices at smaller regional facilities simply don’t have access to the level of instruction and practical training resources to help them succeed.

The facility includes a three-tier plumbing stack replicating the pipes and inner workings of a multi-storey building. The huge sandpit is used for sanitary, water and drainage training as well as trench-shoring and pipe installation.

TRAINING IN GREEN HYDROGEN

A group of participants from the 2025 NZ Plumbing Conference in Brisbane headed to the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) Beenleigh campus to take a look around the cutting-edge training facilities.

Opened in 2019, the facility accommodates 400-500 sanitary plumbing and fire protection apprentices,

plus 100 HVAC/mechanical services apprentices. Features include an inground drainage and trench shoring training sand pit, a training tower to simulate a three-storey building, and a 14-stationed valve room for service, test and maintenance training.

Thanks to AU$20 million funding from the Queensland State Government in

2020, Australia’s first Hydrogen Centre of Excellence also opened at the facility in November 2022.

“This centre will ensure apprentices and those working in the industry receive high quality training to prepare them for jobs in new and emerging industries like hydrogen,” said PICAC Chief Executive Shayne La Combre at its launch.

This group of attendees from the 2025 NZ Plumbing Conference enjoyed a tour of the PICAC Beenleigh campus in Brisbane. Below left and right: The new Hydrogen Centre of Excellence at the campus has been established to train apprentices in green hydrogen appliances for cooking and hot water heating.

“Practical facilities in New Zealand have been woefully under-resourced”

Greg Wallace Chief Executive, Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ and Masterlink

For example, a Centre of Excellence for gasfitting would be a single dedicated facility where all apprentice gasfitters in the country are sent for training. Important modules on new technologies, such as the use of renewable gases like hydrogen, could be developed and rolled out quickly. A model for this can be seen in NSW, Australia, where a Hydrogen Centre of Excellence is set to open for gasfitters this year (see panel on opposite page).

Consistency is key

Consolidation would ensure training is standardised across all apprentices in the trade, resulting in greater consistency and improved outcomes. At present, over 500 plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentices are behind where they should be due to block course scheduling delays and lack of course offerings.

With a smaller number of centres, a more consistent training schedule can be maintained. And while apprentices may be required to travel, many in smaller towns are doing so already and would gladly shoulder the inconvenience if it meant not losing $10-15 an hour in wages because they’re unable to complete the courses required to progress in their qualification.

The Ministry of Education is currently drawing up plans for yet another restructuring of its vocational education system. The focus of these reforms shouldn’t be on how to repackage the current offering but on how to make it better. And for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying—specialised and complex trades—that means quality instructors and high-class facilities. The likes of which our fellow plumbing apprentices in Australia are already enjoying.

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10 MINUTES WITH...

MARK ‘BULL’ ALLEN

Plumbing territory sales manager and former All Black

With his hard running style, smiling face, and shaven head, Mark ‘Bull’ Allen became a rugby cult hero in the 1990s.

AUTHOR: BRENDON EGAN

The loosehead prop never lost in his 27 matches (eight tests) for the All Blacks between 1993-97, mostly being used off the bench. Allen, 57, played 107 games for his beloved Taranaki and was the inaugural captain of the Hurricanes in Super Rugby as the sport turned professional. He also had a season for the short-lived Central Vikings venture (Manawatū and Hawke’s Bay merger) in 1997 before they folded the following year.

What are you up to these days?

I’ve lived in Tauranga for about 25 years. I shifted up here shortly after I retired. I work for United Supply Co, who bring in plumbing systems and we sell to merchants around the country. I’m territory sales manager for them. I’ve been doing that for them for about a year and a half. I look after the Waikato-Bay of Plenty area.

Bull Allen charges up field in a last-ditch attempt against Strathmore in a Dean Cup match at the Yarrow stadium Super12 curtain raiser in New Plymouth.

Bull is now a territory sales manager in the Waikato-Bay of Plenty region for United Supply Co.

What are your interests away from work? I go to a local gym at Bethlehem called Aspire and I’ve also got a gym set up at home. I’ve got rowing machines, spin bikes. I love my kettlebells. I’ve got a squat rack. I don’t do squats, but I do a lot of hanging from it to straighten the back out. I’m grateful to say 90-plus % of the time I jump up in the morning and I’m ready for business. I don’t have too many aches or pains.

I’m sitting between 100 and 105kg depending on what I’m up to, pretty light compared to my playing days. When I finished with the Hurricanes I was 117kg.

What’s your best memory with the All Blacks?

Making the All Blacks is always up there, especially coming from Taranaki in those days. I think there was Kieran Crowley, that was about it. Then Gordy Slater made it a little after me. Initially making it, because Taranaki in those days were in the first and second division, we sort of rotated between the two. Our fortunes fluctuated from year to year, depending on who was around.

The last game I played was against England at Twickenham in 1997. I’d been in the team for four or five years and I’d been a sub for [most of those games] and I was looking like I was going to move into the starting spot because there was a few changes in personnel. Unfortunately, in ’98 I had a couple of prolapsed discs [in my back]. I have to say the game against England because that was my last game. I remember it fondly. It was a draw, but Twickenham is a pretty outstanding place to play rugby.

Who do you think rugby fans adored you so much as a player?

I suppose I was just a pretty simple bluecollar bloke from Taranaki. I think people maybe identified with that. Just a little rural town guy, who when I got into the All Blacks I didn’t know much about anything really. It was rugby that really opened my eyes to a lot of life and opportunities and what could be. One of the things I really tried to embrace was when rugby did start going professional I tried to embrace that. In those days a lot of the fans used to be able to run on the field and we’d sign autographs. I tried to make sure I was available for people, that included media and sponsors. I thought, ‘Shivers, this won’t last forever’. I tried to be genuine and be myself really.

What was the biggest shift you noticed when rugby went from the amateur to professional era?

The biggest thing I noticed initially was I was working for my father, who was an auto electrician. When I left school I was straight into that and loved my job working for dad. It was like $1000 a week in the early days [in rugby]. It wasn’t massive money, but I just remember thinking. ‘How do we set up an invoice to invoice the [New Zealand] Rugby Union, so we get paid?’ and thinking this seems pretty daunting. Just that whole transition from doing a day-to-day job. In those days we didn’t do the analytics or the training twice a day. We trained once a day and there was lots of downtime. Just being able to focus on rugby was pretty cool.

Who’s responsible for coining you ‘Bull’?

I went on a New Zealand Rugby News Youth team tour. Sid Going and Fred Allen were our coaches. Can you imagine how good that was as a 21-year-old? We went to Germany and Scotland. On that tour Sid Going’s nephew, Quinten Going, he started calling me ‘Bull’. The mascot of Taranaki was a bull, but there was a TV show called Night Court, which had a big, tall, bald headed fella [called Bull Shannon] and I didn’t have much hair.

What did it mean to play NPC for your hometown province Taranaki?

I always wanted to play for Taranaki and just loved it. I played with a good group of guys and in a lot of cases, underdogs. It’s changed a lot now, they’re a fantastic team. Once I played a few games, the dream was to play 100 games for Taranaki, that meant a lot to me. I’ve got some great memories.

My favourite memory of all rugby was winning the second division in 1992 against Errol Brain-captained Counties Manukau. They had some really good players and we were massive underdogs. That was a real highlight. I’d just taken over as captain and didn’t know much about anything still.

You spent time alongside the late great Jonah Lomu in the All Blacks. What’s your best Jonah story?

Everyone always talked about how big he was. We were on tour in France and Italy in ’95. There was some scales roaming around and I never forget it. As a prop I had to work real hard to keep my weight on. I was always checking my weight.

This day he got on the scales ahead of me. I was about 115kg and I was working real hard to get big. He gets on the scales and he’s 124 clicks. I thought ‘Oh my gosh, he was massive’. The way he moved, I don’t know if people realise quite how heavy he was. He was a big, big man.

How much rugby do you watch these days?

I’m still a great supporter of the Hurricanes and All Blacks of course. I watch a bit of club rugby around here. I’ve got three sons that play rugby here in the Bay of Plenty. I’m an absolutely rugby tragic.

I’ve played rugby since I was five years old, so I’ve been involved in the game a long, long time coaching, supporting, playing. It’s been a 52 year journey.

Extract from an article by Brendon Egan, reproduced from the Sunday Star Times

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“Someone was offering their free plumbing skills on a Facebook community page and installed this,” says Jared O’Gorman. “Pump didn’t change the water pressure in the house as it was connected in before the HWC open vent.”

This edition’s round-up of eye poppers.

Giving vent?

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