NZ Plumber April-May 2021 by NZ Plumber

A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 1

O F F I C I A L M AGA Z I N E O F

CONFERENCE COVERAGE All the action & award winners PAGE 21

2021 NEW ZEALAND

TOMORROW’S ENERGY What’s in the pipeline?

PAGE 32

RESPONSIBLE SUPERVISION How to get it right PAGE 68

MASTER PLUMBER OF THE YEAR “Reputation is everything”PAGE 58

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A few words EDITOR

Volume 73, Number 2 MAGAZINE TEAM CEO Greg Wallace EDITOR Beverly Sellers 03 543 2008 bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz PRINT Blue Star 81 The Esplanade, Petone Wellington 6141 DESIGN ICG Designer – Julian Pettitt ICG Senior Account Director – LauraGrace McFarland www.icg.co.nz SUBSCRIPTIONS NZ Plumber is published six times a year by Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ. Members and Certifying tradespeople receive all six editions. If you wish to opt out, please email bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz To order an annual subscription, go to www.masterplumbers.org.nz MAILING LIST For enquiries, or to update your details: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz Non-Master Plumbers’ members with address detail changes should notify the PGD Board direct, giving their registration number here: registration@pgdb.co.nz TO ADVERTISE Contact Alton Anamani advertising@masterplumbers.org.nz

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letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled ‘Not for Publication’.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

Forward focus

A common theme that emerged from the recent NZ Plumbing Conference was that our industry must be braced for significant change. “What we do this decade will determine future generations,” said guest speaker and business commentator Rod Oram at the NZ Plumbing Conference in March. Oram took us on a sweeping journey from the small-scale energyefficiency measures at his own home to the need for this nation to accelerate the decarbonisation of our economy and beyond to current thinking on how to reframe the entire global economy for the sake of the planet. For our sector, ‘clean tech’ is going to dramatically change the way hot water systems are designed, installed and commissioned, said Nik McIntosh in his presentation, as he stressed the need for the plumbing industry to keep upskilling or run the risk of losing large scopes of work in the future. The gas industry, in particular, has already felt the winds of change, with the Climate Change Commission’s proposals to ban new gas connections in homes and businesses from 2025 causing concern amongst gasfitting businesses and confusion amongst consumers. This is being countered by a new pan-industry consumer gas campaign to reassure the public that they will be able to keep using existing gas appliances, and any new ones they install, well into the future.

As feedback to the Commission has shown, the gas industry believes there is a viable pathway to decarbonise gas. In his conference presentation, Ben Gerritsen of Firstgas Group said this year was going to be a very important one for the industry—and time and support is needed to develop solutions. “We believe there is a bright future for gas, which plays an important role in the New Zealand energy sector,” said Gerritsen. Turn to page 32 to read more about the exciting work being undertaken by Firstgas Group on alternative fuels. We have plenty more coverage on the 2021 NZ Plumbing Conference starting on page 21—including all the award winners. Our cover stars are Aaron and Sarah Jamieson of BOP Plumbing & Gas in Rotorua, this year’s New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year. You can read more about their business on page 58. Congratulations to the whole team!

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

Over to you Got feedback? A query? Or something you’d like to read about in a future edition? We welcome your emails. And remember there’s a $50 letter prize for the best we receive each edition. Email the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz

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

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

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A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 1

TECHNICAL THEME:

LOW-CARBON TECHNOLOGIES

The future of gas

Could biogas, hydrogen and bioLPG be the future?

Harnessing nature

Ground-source and air-source heat pump technologies

Small-bore wastewater pumps

First in 5-part training series from Saniflo

47 48

HWC isolation

WHAT’S UP

9 10 11 12

Keeping it fair

Cash jobs in focus for new IR campaign

FEATURES

Where to for water?

Updates

Industry news round-up

Good news stories

Calendar

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Training & events for your diary

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A look at progress for 3 Waters reform plus ageing infrastructure lead risks

Conference 2021

Comprehensive coverage of the 2021 event—including all the award winners!

ON THE TOOLS

Toolbox tips Health & safety news in brief

Quick tips from Apex Valves

State of Standards

Construction sector group seeks solutions for Standards issues

Products New products and services

MASTER PLUMBERS

54 58

Bulletin The latest from Master Plumbers

ON THE COVER Member profile

Meet the 2021 NZ Master Plumber of the Year

BUSINESS SMARTS

Are you a responsible supervisor?

Out and about in the regions

CAREER STARTERS

HR & wellbeing The importance of employee recognition—plus anxiety relief tips

5 ways to move your business forward

How a Greens Tapware Scholarship has kickstarted Ryan Chalmers’ plumbing apprenticeship

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AND FINALLY...

Motorcyclist and hobby photographer Graeme Lowen

I could be…

Dodgy plumbing Sometimes funny, sometimes serious…

A plumbing estimator

Skills update

RoVE update from The Skills Organisation

Why going with the flow will only get you so far A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 1

10 minutes with

Apprentice profile

Why fool-proof systems are needed to get it right

Branches & Associations

O F F I C I A L M AG A Z I N E O F

Masterlink messages

What’s up at the Master Plumbersowned apprentice training scheme

CONFERENCE COVERAGE All the action & award winners PAGE 21

Insurance advice

5 strings to safety —#1: material damage cover

Give your business a DIGITAL boost

Platinum Partner profile

Teletrac Navman on how to use GPS fleet management to trim costs

New governmentfunded training programme

Capital vs revenue

Do you know the difference?

2021 NEW ZEALAND

TOMORROW’S ENERGY What’s in the pipeline?

PAGE 32

RESPONSIBLE SUPERVISION How to get it right PAGE 68

MASTER PLUMBER OF THE YEAR “Reputation is everything”PAGE 58

COVER STORY Family-run business BOP Plumbing and Gas in Rotorua is this year’s New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year. Owners Aaron and Sarah Jamieson, pictured on this issue’s cover, took the team out to celebrate in April after gathering them together for the photograph in our article on page 58.

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Report CEO

CEO’S REPORT

We had an outstanding week in Marlborough As you all know, the gas industry has been for the 120th Master Plumbers conference. in a state of flux since the release of the To sell out the activities and also to have a Climate Change Commission (CCC)’s draft good number of Master Plumbers members advice consultation, as we work through attending for their very first time made for a what the proposals mean for the industry. I wonderful event with great engagement across believe there has been a lot of misinformation members, Business Partners and industry. in the media about the future of gas. From As you can imagine, running a conference our involvement with Master Plumbers in for 250+ attendees is a significant undertaking Australia and from other countries across and this was further complicated by the the world, we know that there are viable hiccup of 2020. I’m so proud of the team for alternatives in the gas energy sector—such as being able to deliver a conference that not only biogas, renewable LPG and hydrogen—which entertained and informed but also met our key would meet the CCC’s decarbonisation targets. objectives of membership engagement. What this consultation document has done We’ve received wonderful feedback is to create an opportunity to speed up the about our guest speakers and industry transition to these alternative fuels. As an representatives and it industry, we should take was also good to have this chance to deliver these Hon Poto Williams new, green gases and also presenting at the to train our people in these “Having a united voice conference—the first products, which will provide and working collectively Minister for Building and solutions for New Zealand is the key to strong Construction to attend consumers for the next 100 representation.” in three years. We have years. It is my firm belief a lot of advocacy and that we need a competitive industry issues to work environment for energy on at government level sources, as this can only be but having a united voice of benefit to consumers. and working collectively I can assure you that is the key to strong representation. Master Plumbers is working extra hard to The New Zealand Plumbing Awards were advocate for the gas industry and what the once again a huge success and I want to thank future will bring. You can learn more about all the nominees. I know the judges struggle our submission to the consultation process to make their selection each year, given the on page 40. We are also in discussions with high quality of entries, but this only makes the the CCC, the government and our industry winners’ achievements so much greater. partners. We believe the way forward for New I’d like to thank all the Business Partners Zealand is to have viable zero-carbon gas who committed to excellent trade stands and alternatives that will ensure a strong, vibrant who also went out of their way to make the industry for consumers and tradespeople. conference a success. In particular, I want to thank Mico, Marley, Dux and Plumbing World Greg Wallace, CEO for their evening sponsorships. Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ

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KEEPING IT

FAIR

INLAND REVENUE IS REMINDING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO DECLARE ANY CASH JOBS. Inland Revenue is running a construction industry education campaign to ensure construction businesses understand their tax obligations if they undertake cash transactions. IR’s customer research indicates that people are more likely to engage in cash jobs in uncertain times, such as the current Covid-19 environment. They want to mitigate

this through awareness, education and compliance—and keep the industry fair for all. Over the coming months, you may see IR adverts online, at building sites and around hardware stores.

What’s up

INDUSTRY NEWS

Get more information and view a record-keeping video at www.ird.govt.nz/Rebuild-NZ

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THIS EDITION’S NEWS ROUND-UP FOR OUR INDUSTRY.

SKILLS BUSINESS ADVISOR PROGRAMME Need business advice? Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses can access eight free sessions with a Skills Business Advisor for a sixmonth period. These are face-to-face or online/ phone based, depending on location and availability. General business advice is offered in eight key areas: Strategy & Business Planning Culture & Values Time Management, Administration, Process & Technology

Compliance, including Health & Safety Financial Management People Management Apprentice Training Client Evaluation, Sales & Marketing. To register your interest, email ambition@skills.org.nz or find out more at skills.org.nz/employers/businessadvisor-programme/

STANDARDS NZ: NEW WEBSITE & DIGITAL READER PILOT A newly launched website for Standards NZ includes a complete design overhaul, new features and improved functionality. Key features include a new eCommerce Webshop and Online Library service. Access the site at www.standards.govt.nz Standards NZ also says it has been exploring digital options for making its Standards more accessible to users and is launching a six-month trial of its new digital reader. “Digital allows you to carry Standards in your pocket, no matter where you are and no matter how large or complicated the Standard might be,” says Standards NZ. “Our digital reader is a digital platform that can be accessed on any web-enabled device, including smartphones, tablets and desktop computers.” The pilot, which will run until September 2021, will initially include the following five NZ Standards: NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings

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NZS 4246:2016 Energy efficiency – Installing bulk thermal insulation in residential buildings NZS 8156:2019 Ambulance, para medicine and patient transfer services NZS 2403:2015 Code of practice for deep geothermal wells NZS 4541:2020 Automatic fire sprinkler systems Find out more and access the pilot at www.standards.govt.nz/ news-and-updates/new-digital-reader-pilot/

Above: The new look and feel for Standards NZ includes new branding.

What’s up INDUSTRY NEWS

Building Code & Standard updates

Proposed changes to Building Code Consultation on the latest annual Building Code update is open until 28 May. This year’s proposed changes include increasing the number of NZ climate zones to six and introducing a new verification method to ensure HVAC systems in commercial buildings are designed and installed to reduce the load on the national grid. Find out more and have your say at www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/ building-code-update-2021

Gasfitting Standard out for comment AS/NZS 5601.1 Gas installations - Part 1: General installations is out for comment until 10 June. Sign in to Standards Australia’s public comment management system to view the draft with a list of the proposed changes and to have your say: https://comment.standards.org.au

The team at Matt Hobbs Plumbing raised $4,200 towards a much-needed St John ambulance station in Taihape by holding another Rubber Ducky Race this March. Locals were invited to adopt a rubber duck for $10, with prizes thanks to Plumbing World for best-decorated ducks and the race winner receiving $1,000 prize money. Half of the $650,000 needed to get the building started has been raised in the past 12 months. “It’s an absolutely vital service for us here—we all depend on that medical support,” said Jo Hobbs. Southland Master Plumbers Life Member Bob Humphries celebrated his 90th birthday in March with an afternoon tea at Ascot Park Hotel in Invercargill. “We’ve had a number of parties there over the years as this was his first big job when he went out on his own and Dad is very loyal,” said his daughter Megan. Hope you had a great day, Bob!

APPRENTICESHIP BOOST EXTENDED The Apprenticeship Boost initiative has been extended for another four months—now running until August 2022. The extension means a total of 24 months of payments could be available for employers to help retain apprentices in their first two years of training. Employers can access a subsidy of $1,000 per month for first year apprentices and $500 per month for second year apprentices.

Got a good news story? We’d love to hear from you. Email the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz

Find out more at www.workandincome.govt.nz

PROGRESS FOR BUILDING ACT AMENDMENT BILL The Building (Building Products and Methods, Modular Components, and Other Matters) Amendment Bill moved another step forward in early March, when the Environment Committee presented its report on the Bill to the

House of Representatives. The report recommends the passing of the Bill with some amends to improve its workability. Among other things, the Bill introduces minimum requirements for information that manufacturers and

suppliers would have to provide about building products available on the NZ market. The next phase is for the committee’s recommendations to be debated in Parliament at the second reading of the Bill.

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What's up CALENDAR

TRAINING & EVENTS Dates to mark on your industry calendar for 2021.

BY APPOINTMENT

Skills Business Advisor Programme (see page 10 for details)

3 MAY9 SEPT

NATIONWIDE

PGDB & Mico CPD Training Roadshow NATIONWIDE ecommerce.skills.org.nz/CPD2021

skills.org.nz/employers/business-advisor-programme/

5 MAY

Contract Law Made Simple ONLINE masterplumbers.org.nz/training

17 MAY

ETCO Associated Tradesperson Course* CHRISTCHURCH

9 JUN

Contract Law Made Simple

23 AUG

ETCO Associated Tradesperson Course*

ONLINE masterplumbers.org.nz/training

portal.etco.co.nz/courses-list

Image courtesy of Hydroflow

02 AUG

ETCO Associated Tradesperson Course* TAURANGA

5&6 AUG

portal.etco.co.nz/courses-list

1-3 SEPT

HASANZ Conference 2021 WELLINGTON www.hasanz.org.nz/page-conference

2021 Water NZ Backflow Conference LOWER HUTT

20 SEPT

ETCO Associated Tradesperson Course* HAMILTON

CHRISTCHURCH portal.etco.co.nz/courses-list

waternz.org.nz/BackflowConference

18 OCT

portal.etco.co.nz/courses-list

*20% DISCOUNT FOR MEMBERS OF MASTER PLUMBERS

ETCO Associated Tradesperson Course* CHRISTCHURCH portal.etco.co.nz/courses-list

For all Master Plumbers 2021 course dates and venues, go to www.masterplumbers.org.nz/training

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WHERE TO FOR

NZ Plumber provides a progress report on the Three Waters Reform Programme, which is needed to address increasingly urgent challenges to drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across New Zealand. AUTHOR: SARAH JOHNSON

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Feature WATER FUTURES

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W NA

funding infrastructure, complying with safety and environmental standards, building resilience to natural hazards and climate change, and supporting growth. The reform programme aims to develop a comprehensive, system-wide solution to address these challenges. At present, the intention is to replace the council services with a small number of publicly owned cross-regional entities. The exact size, shape and design of these entities is still being worked through. Proposed timelines suggest that, all going to plan, the new entities will be established in 2022, and prepare to become operational in 2023. The government is working in partnership with iwi/Māori and the local government sector to progress the reform.

H A K A HA

To protect our water, its health and its mauri

ubmissions closed in early March on the draft Water Services Bill. The bill is the latest stage in the government’s Three Waters Reform Programme, a comprehensive three-year programme to reform how local government delivers drinking water, stormwater and wastewater services. Launched in July 2020, the reform programme builds on the initial Three Waters Review and subsequent establishment of Crown entity Taumata Arowai as an independent water services regulator. At present, 67 different councils own and operate the majority of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across New Zealand. They face urgent challenges in providing these services, including in

KIT

To provide for essential human health needs (e.g. drinking water)

KAI TIAK

To ensure consumption provision does not adversely impact the mauri of our water

ANGA

MANA O TE WAI

Above: All people with functions and duties under the Water Services Bill must give effect to Te Mana o te Wai: a whole-of-system approach to water that recognises te ao Māori worldview. Source: Internal Affairs.

TIMEFRAMES—THREE WATERS REFORM Government’s Three Waters Review begins

Mid-2017

Water services regulator Taumata Arowai established

July 2020

Three Waters Reform Programme launches

July 2020

Sector and iwi/Māori engagement on options

February-March 2021

Cabinet to decide on suite of reform proposals

April-May 2021

Water Services Bill due for enactment

Mid-2021

Taumata Arowai to begin administering new regulatory framework for drinking water

Second half 2021

Preparation starts for formation of new water services entities

January 2022

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WHAT’S IN THE

WATER SERVICES BILL?

The draft Water Services Bill establishes a regulatory framework for overhauling New Zealand’s drinkingwater system. The framework will be administered by water services regulator Taumata Arowai. The bill also provides a new national-level reporting, monitoring and advisory function for wastewater and stormwater services, with regional councils continuing as the regulators in these areas. The drinking water regulatory framework proposed by the bill has been informed by international best practice and is designed to be flexible in how it is implemented, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach to regulation. Key features include a requirement for all drinking water suppliers to be registered within one year of the legislation’s commencement. Large suppliers (serving 500 or more properties) must have a drinking water safety plan in place by the end of that year. Smaller suppliers (serving less than 500) have a five year transition period to put their plan in place. In addition, all persons with functions and duties under the Water Services Bill must give effect to Te Mana o te Wai—a wholeof-system approach to water that recognises te ao Māori worldview. Local authorities will face significant duties and obligations once the Bill is enacted, and complying with these requirements is expected to require equally significant capital and operational expenditure. The draft Water Services Bill is currently before the Health Select Committee after submissions closed on 2 March 2021.

Feature WATER FUTURES

Industry reaction

THE THREE WATERS REFORM PROGRAMME AIMS TO: significantly improve the safety and quality of drinking water services, and the environmental performance of wastewater and stormwater systems in New Zealand ensure all New Zealanders have equitable access to affordable three waters services move the supply of three waters services to a more financially sustainable footing, and address the affordability and capability challenges faced across the sector—particularly by some small suppliers and councils.

MASTER PLUMBERS wants greater clarity In its submission to the Water Services Bill, Master Plumbers has highlighted concerns around current ambiguities in the point of supply, end point treatment devices and backflow prevention requirements in the draft Bill, and the ability of smaller suppliers to comply with these requirements. Master Plumbers has also encouraged the government to make it compulsory for any person who installs or maintains a potable water supply network to be a certified and licenced plumber, with the prescribed skills, qualifications and experience to do the job. “Adding this requirement into the Bill will help ensure the proper functioning of potable water supply systems, and safeguard the health and safety of New Zealanders,” says CEO Greg Wallace. Also of concern is a current lack of clarity around how compliance with the Bill will be enforced. Wallace points to

the situation on rural properties where any property owner with a bore for water supply who provides water to a third party will, once the Act comes into force, be required to adopt a drinking water safety plan for it. How those plans will be enforced and by whom is not clear. “We’ve stressed in our submission the importance of providing greater clarity in this area. Doing so will boost the confidence of the plumbing industry and help ensure the Bill’s goals are met effectively and safely,” he says. Following the select committee’s deliberations, and further engagement with local government and iwi/Māori, Cabinet is expected to make decisions on the details of the reform in mid2021. After this, local authorities will be required to decide whether to remain in or opt out of the reform programme by the end of 2021.

Water New Zealand—the industry body for the three waters sector—welcomes the reforms. Chief executive Gillian Blythe says, while the organisation hasn’t taken any position on the service delivery model’s governance arrangements or the number of providers, it strongly supports the reforms, which are aimed at ensuring all New Zealanders have access to safe drinking water. “This is the first time in a generation or more that we are starting to see a real commitment towards investment in water services infrastructure,” says Blythe. “All of this investment is long overdue and comes at a time when the demands on our freshwater resources have never been so great.”

At present, the intention is to replace the council services with a small number of publicly owned cross-regional entities. Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace agrees that the reforms will be positive for the sector, and will help build transparency and consistency around water supply and management decisions. However, he has concerns around the reform’s timeframes. “As the Water Services Bill is currently drafted, council compliance is initially voluntary,” he says. “Councils have three years to opt into the new water service entities regime and even then it’s not compulsory. But we’re already in a situation where, historically, there has been chronic underinvestment in three waters infrastructure, and as a result drinking water is getting contaminated and communities are suffering.” Greg also suspects the Bill doesn’t go far enough and that arguably the function of managing drinking water should be taken off local and regional authorities. “Water infrastructure is costly and complex, and projects to improve it don’t have the public or political appeal that some other more glamorous council projects do. As a result they tend to get side-lined or put in the too-hard basket. Then we get situations like those currently happening in East Otago and Wellington where infrastructure is chronically outdated and unfit for purpose, and should have been replaced decades ago. You have to ask whether those large infrastructure projects sit comfortably within the threeyear local government election cycle, or would be better dealt with elsewhere.”

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Feature WATER FUTURES

OUT WITH THE OLD Aside from burst pipes causing sewage spills and flooded streets, New Zealand’s ageing water infrastructure carries the risk of leaching lead into our drinking water.

t a public meeting in March, East Otago residents were told investigations were continuing into the source of the lead contamination of their drinking water over a sixmonth period—with one sample having shown the presence of lead at 39 times the acceptable limit. This contamination event has highlighted the issue of New Zealand’s ageing water infrastructure, with Dunedin City Council confirming the presence of lead joints in the older parts of its pipe network and fasttracking the replacement of 6.5km of ageing pipeline at a cost of around $6m in order to eliminate pipework as a possible cause. It’s not known exactly how many ageing cast iron pipes with lead joints make up New Zealand’s total public water supply network, and councils aren’t required to conduct lead testing of their water supplies—though some are choosing to do so. Christchurch City Council is one such example. Networks in the Christchurch district contain 170.9km of cast iron pipes, making up 4.9 percent of the reticulation networks, according to its website. Of these, 28 percent were installed before 1940 and are assumed to contain lead joints. “Lead may leach from these joints when there is prolonged contact between the drinking water and the lead joint at times of no or little water turnover,” it says. The Council first identified the risk of lead in water from lead-jointed pipes as part of its water safety plan reviews and risk assessments, which started in 2019 under the Ministry of Health’s new water safety plan framework. Since then, it has begun a regular lead sampling regime, is reducing the use of lead-jointed pipes in its network and says it will be speeding up the replacement of lead-jointed pipes in its pipe renewals programme— though it is still running behind on repairing damage to drinking water pipes caused by the Christchurch earthquakes over 10 years ago.

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LEAD

in plumbing products The Ministry of Health commissioned an independent review of the health system response to lead contamination in Waikouaiti’s drinking water supply. Released in mid-April, the review makes a number of recommendations to improve public safety. These include reviewing current plumbing standards with regards to allowable lead levels in imported tapware and fittings. Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace says, whilst the recommendation is a good one, New Zealand needs to move to lead-free tapware and brass fittings as a matter of urgency. “Master Plumbers has been advocating for this for a number of years and it should not have taken a contamination event of this kind for action to be taken.” Wallace says other countries, including Australia, are moving to lead-free tapware and New Zealand should be following suit. “It is not enough to tell homeowners to run the tap before drinking if the water has been sitting for a while, as the Health Ministry’s advice currently stands.” Water New Zealand CEO Gillian Blythe agrees that there is a long overdue need for better regulation of tapware. “It is very important that imported plumbing fittings are monitored by a regulatory authority to safeguard consumers from lead contamination caused by taps,” she says. “Along with Master Plumbers, we have been concerned for some time that compliance over standards for tap fittings has been overlooked by regulatory authorities.” The review recommends that Taumata Arowai, the national drinking water regulator that comes into being this July, is best positioned to take account of these recommendations once the Water Services Bill becomes law. “We hope that this report, as well as the establishment of Taumata Arowai, will result in better monitoring and regulation,” says Blythe.

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Feature CONFERENCE 2021

Memorable

MARLBOROUGH

A relaxed atmosphere prevailed at the 2021 NZ Plumbing Conference in Blenheim this March, as attendees from around the country finally got the chance to catch up in person.

lenheim put on the sunshine for this year’s NZ Plumbing Conference, held at the Marlborough Convention Centre in late March. The event began on the Wednesday with the first of the PGDB’s CPD roadshows, followed by technical sessions and the inaugural Women in Plumbing programme. Women from all areas of the industry gathered for lunch, a panel discussion and a presentation from Lisa King, inspirational founder of nonprofit venture Eat My Lunch. After the Master Plumbers AGM, there was a chance to sample local wines and cheeses at the Taste of Marlborough Showcase and then it was on to the Wither Hills vineyard for the Mico Welcome Function. A packed programme on Thursday included speaker Liam Malone, world champion blade runner, on the importance of having a sense of purpose to get through life’s challenges. He was followed by guest speaker Hon Poto Williams, Minister for Building and Construction (see page 23), and updates from MBIE, Skills and the PGDB. The afternoon saw digital marketing specialist Antony Young of the Digital Café giving tips for cost-effective marketing and Tony Dorman of Zephyr outlining the key cyber risks to a business, and essential steps to take. The day’s sessions ended with Ben Gerritsen of Firstgas Group with a research and development update on alternative fuels, such as biogas, rLPG and hydrogen. The awesome Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre was the venue for the Marley & Dux Fun Night, with spivs, land girls and servicemen and women mixing and mingling over a VE celebration dinner and brass band among the vintage planes. After breakfast in the exhibition hall on Friday, international journalist Rod Oram took the audience on a sweeping journey from the energy efficiency measures in his own home to what we can achieve as a

nation and as a planet. Construction law specialist Dr Gigi Fenster followed up with a practical look at contractor agreements and the laws that protect consumers. The conference sessions wound up with a progress report on the Wellbeing on Tap programme from Master Plumbers

wellbeing guy Kereama Carmody. Then it was off into the Marlborough sunshine for the afternoon’s leisure activities by coach, cruise or cycle. The event came to a fitting finale with the 2021 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Night, sponsored by Plumbing World.

Turn to page 24 to discover all the awards winners. 1

1. The Mico Welcome Night was held at the beautiful Wither Hills vineyard. 2. Keynote speaker Liam Malone captured the audience with his story of drive and determination to become a gold medalist blade runner. 3. Regional treats were sampled at the Taste of Marlborough Showcase. 4. VE Day-style celebrations at the Marley and Dux Fun Night, held at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. 5. Questions being posed to the panel at the inaugural Women in Plumbing Programme. 6. Enjoying the Partner Programme. 7, 8. Leisure afternoon activities included cycling, cruising and coaching around the Marlborough region.

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AT THE AGM As the Master Plumbers Annual General Meeting reports showed, providing support for members during the Covid-19 pandemic had dominated 2020.

n opening the Master Plumbers 2021 AGM, CEO Greg Wallace noted a strong financial result for the Master Plumbers group in 2020, benefiting hugely from the government’s Apprenticeship Boost scheme, Covid-19 wage subsidies and apprentice group training scheme funding. Master Plumbers’ member numbers had grown during 2020—reflecting the significant support, resources and advocacy work on behalf of members during the Covid-19 pandemic. This included a new Facebook group, where members could ask questions and get quick answers and information. “Master Plumbers added huge value to members during Covid-19, which is a credit to the Master Plumbers and Masterlink teams,” said Wallace. “We also worked with CHASNZ, MBIE and WorkSafe to help develop health and safety protocols for the construction industry.” Beyond Covid-19, Master Plumbers had been busy advocating for the industry and the needs of members nationwide on issues such as vocational education reform, the review of the PGD Act, selfcertification for plumbers and drainlayers,

plumbing product quality, the Water Services Bill and the gas proposals in the Climate Change Commission’s draft advice consultation. “I believe we are gaining traction and government officials are open to understanding our perspective,” he said. “We want to provide solutions, not problems.” Wallace ended by thanking all Master Plumbers Business Partners for their support, without which he noted the organisation would not exist. In his report, national President Jon Lewis also acknowledged Greg and his team for their tireless work around Covid-19. He went on to congratulate Colleen Upton of member company Hutt Gas & Plumbing for her ONZM appointment in the New Year’s Honours List and exhorted members to keep training apprentices for the good of the industry. This message was echoed in Dave Strong’s report on the Master Plumbersowned Masterlink apprentice training company, which had seen strong performance in 2020. Thanking all those who support Masterlink, he said training apprentices was the only way we are going to get ahead in this industry.

MASTER PLUMBERS BOARD

The Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Board 2021-2022, from left: Dale Lovell, Jon Lewis, Rod Miller, Martin de Gouw, Sam Tyson, Grayson Allen , Craig Foley and Dave Strong (far right). John DeBernardo (second from right) has retired from the Board after 10 years’ service.

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THANKING ALL CONFERENCE SPONSORS

Master Plumbers sincerely thanks all key sponsors of the 2021 New Zealand Plumbing Conference—it couldn’t happen without you. Plumbing World New Zealand Plumbing Awards Night Marley & Dux Fun Night Mico Welcome Night MM Brands Keynote Speaker Liam Malone Iplex Keynote Speaker Rod Oram Milwaukee Product Showcase Greens Tapware Product Showcase Crombie Lockwood Partner Activity Programme simPRO Conference Bag Skills Friday Leisure Activity Methven and Caroma Friday Leisure Activity Masterlink Friday Leisure Activity & Catering Allproof Industries Taste of Marlborough Showcase Rheem NZ Women in Plumbing Programme Mobilcard Catering Teletrac Navman Coffee Cart RWC Coffee Cart

Feature CONFERENCE 2021

From the Minister Building and Construction Minister Poto Williams spoke to NZ Plumbing Conference delegates about regulation of building products, the review of the PGD Act, and a new Accord Network. NZ Plumber looks at the key points from her speech.

he Minister opened by acknowledging the vital role plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers had played in Aotearoa’s recovery from Covid-19, the resulting lockdowns and the global economic downturn. “Many of you have worked on as essential workers, as well as helping our economy stand back up,” she said. “For this, I want to thank each and every one of you.” She also recognised Master Plumbers as a strong and regular advocate for its members, holding the government to account.

“Take the time to submit” on building product proposals

In her update on the Building System Legislative Reform Programme, the Minister recognised that reforms relating to building products were of significant interest. “I have a Building Amendment Bill being progressed through Parliament as we speak,” she said. “The new requirements and offences under the Bill will ensure that product suppliers will make claims about building products and that they are accountable for the accuracy of those claims.” She described this approach as giving more flexibility than mandatory certification, saying that prescribing a particular certification for targeted groups of building products would “inhibit innovation”. Acknowledging that some are concerned the Bill does not go far enough in addressing product safety, the Minister encouraged engagement with the development of regulations, which will provide the “next level of regulatory detail”. Consultation will begin later this year.

PGD Act Review “has been completed”

The second area of reforms under the Building System Legislative Reform Programme will focus on occupational regulation. “For plumbers, gasfitters and

drainlayers, the reforms will include those being made as a result of the statutory review of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act,” said the Minister, noting that this review had just been completed and the report tabled in Parliament. The findings showed the current regulatory system for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers was working well overall, she said, whilst going on to outline a range of changes to be progressed next year, including removing the householder and rural exemptions on restricted work under supervision; introducing a fit and proper person test; addressing concerns about the current quality of supervision; and improving the complaints, discipline and penalties regime.

Construction Sector Accord “signals a new way”

Launched in 2019, the Construction Sector Accord is focused on ensuring a united and resilient construction sector, said the Minister. “It signals a new way for government and industry to partner to address some of the long-standing and systemic challenges the sector is facing.” She announced a new Accord Network membership, launching at the end of April and open to everyone across the sector to join.

Self-certification “will not proceed at this time”

Self-certification for plumbers and drainlayers was considered as part of the statutory review of the PGD Act, as well as in an independent review. However, the Minister said the government would not proceed at this time. “The review confirmed that there is some work to do before we can safely allow plumbers and drainlayers to self-certify,” she said, while noting that she agreed with the concept in principle.

“Committed to continuing” investment in apprenticeships

The Minister outlined the “significant funding” put in place by the government to continue apprenticeship uptake during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Budget 2020 $1.6bn Trade & Apprenticeship Training Package had included $320m targeted support for free trades training in critical industries and $412m for employers to retain apprentices and continue training. “To add to this, the Apprenticeship Boost scheme also provides businesses with up to $16,000 to support the cost of an apprentice for the first two years,” she said.

Read more about the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act review and findings on the MBIE website at www.building.govt.nz/about-building-performance/all-news-and-updates/minorchanges-to-the-plumbers-gasfitters-and-drainlayers-act

Hon Poto Williams, Minister for Building and Construction, delivering her presentation at the conference.

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round 250 guests gathered to celebrate the winners of the 2021 New Zealand Plumbing Awards, held at the Marlborough Convention Centre on the final night of the conference. The glittering evening event, sponsored by Plumbing World, included a three-course dinner, musical entertainment and plenty of laughs, thanks to MC Paul Ego. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners, and to Brian Foley, who was presented with Master Plumbers Life Membership on the night. Due to the postponement of last year’s event, the 2020 winners were also acknowledged on stage.

2021 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year AND THE WINNER IS:

BOP Plumbing & Gas, Rotorua

Turn to page 58 for a profile of this supreme awardwinning business.

Sarah and Aaron Jamieson of BOP Plumbing and Gas (centre) with, from left, Plumbing World GM Rob Kidd, Master Plumbers National President Jon Lewis, and Jamin Saes of iPlumber, last year’s Master Plumber of the Year Award recipient.

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2021 Graeme Victor Smith Contribution to the Industry Award AND THE WINNER IS:

Stu McIvor

McIvor Plumbers & Gasfitters Wanaka

From left: Stu McIvor with Graeme Victor Smith and Master Plumbers Chairman Craig Foley.

Feature CONFERENCE 2021

LIFE MEMBERSHIP FOR

BRIAN FOLEY

Brian Foley was given official recognition of his Master Plumbers Life Membership during the awards night. Brian joined Master Plumbers in 1962, not long out of his apprenticeship at his father Albert’s Dunedin business, which he took over at just 22 when Albert suffered a heart attack. Brian was nominated by members of the Otago Master Plumbers for his long-term support of the national organisation— including a term as National President— his willingness to share his knowledge and for being held in high regard by other members around New Zealand. You can read a full profile on Brian in the OctoberNovember 2020 edition of NZ Plumber at www.issuu.com/nzplumber

2021 Jackson Women in Plumbing Award AND THE WINNER IS:

Sarah Avery Plumbing & Gas Works, Hamilton

From left: Ian Jackson of Allproof Industries with Sarah Avery and Ian’s daughter Jacinta Robertson.

2021 New Zealand Training Leader of the Year AND THE WINNER IS:

Sean Patrick

East Coast Plumbing & Gas

MC Paul Ego (left) looks on as Brian Foley gives an acceptance speech for his Master Plumbers Life Membership award.

2021 New Zealand Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer of the Year

Sean Patrick (centre) receiving his award from Skills CEO Garry Fissenden (left) and Master Plumbers Chairman Craig Foley.

AND THE WINNER IS:

Chris Fennessy Plumbers HB

Chris Fennessy and his wife Kay with his award.

THANKING

JOHN DEBERNARDO

During the awards night, Chairman Craig Foley acknowledged retiring Master Plumbers Board Director John DeBernardo, who has served on the national Board for the past 10 years. CEO Greg Wallace also thanked John for his governance skills, wise counsel, exemplary gas industry expertise and commitment to Master Plumbers—as well as being a friend and mentor.

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Feature CONFERENCE 2021

2021 James Douglas Medallion

2021 Plumbing World Scholarship AND THE WINNERS ARE:

GASFITTING FINALIST & OVERALL WINNER:

Alan Wharton PLUMBING FINALISTS:

James McIlroy and Patrick Sweeney

Overall James Douglas Medallion winner Alan Wharton with, from left, Skills CEO Garry Fissenden and Master Plumbers Chairman Craig Foley.

Ollie Tabak Overall Winner

Matt Bird

2021 Product of the Year AND THE WINNER IS:

Kohler

Malleco Touchless Kitchen Faucet

Vinny Roth Bryan Young, National Sales Manager at Kohler, being presented with the Product of the Year Award by Master Plumbers Chairman Craig Foley.

Recognising the 2020 award winners Due to Covid-19, the 2020 New Zealand Plumbing Awards had to be celebrated in digital format. This year’s awards night provided an opportunity to acknowledge the 2020 winners in person by getting them up on stage for a group shot.

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SUPPORTED BY: Bromic Ltd, Heron Plumbing Ltd, HiFlo Plumbing, Hutt Gas & Plumbing Systems Ltd, RMC, Toto and Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Ltd

Feature CONFERENCE 2021

EXPO EXCELLENCE The trade show is an integral part of the annual NZ Plumbing Conference—and this year was no exception, with 27 industry exhibitors showcasing their latest products and technologies.

A-Z OF EXHIBITORS Allproof Industries APD Apex Valves Aqualine Aquatherm Buteline CablePrice Dux Firstgas and Rockgas Greens Tapware Hydroflow Kohler Konnect Fastening LEAP Marley Masterlink Mico Milwaukee Tool Mitsubishi Electric MM Brands Mobilcard Plumbing World Rheem Rinnai simPRO System Control Engineering Waterware 028

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HWC TUNDISH Designed to drain hot water cylinder valves through the safe tray.

allproof.com

On the tools

TOOLBOX TIPS Latest health and safety snippets to share with the team.

No time for sick leave? WHAT’S MY RATE? New Zealand Industrial and Trades Wage Report - 2021

What’s My Rate? New Zealand Industrial and Trades Wage Report - 2021

A 2021 What’s My Rate? report from OneStaff recruitment agency gauges attitudes in the trades and industrial sector to earnings, sick leave and mental health. Of the 6,000 surveyed, over a third said they were unlikely to take sick leave, with a further third saying they were unsure. Trades and services workers noted there’s too much work on to take time off, with not enough other staff to cover an employee’s leave. The two biggest workplace factors to impact mental health were bad relationships at work and too many hours at work. “For employers this means that greater care should be taken to discover, mediate and deal with poor relationships between staff to ensure they don’t have wider negative consequences,” says OneStaff CEO Jonathan Ives. “For employees, especially managers, putting effort into your work relationships will pay dividends in your own and your team’s happiness.” Read the report in full at www.onestaff.co.nz/WMR

MAIN FACTORS THAT STOP WORKERS TAKING SICK LEAVE* 60

30 TOOLBOX TIPS 32 TECHNICAL THEME: LOW-CARBON TECHNOLOGIES

46 SMALL-BORE

WASTEWATER PUMPS

47 HWC ISOLATION 48 STATE OF STANDARDS

50 PRODUCTS 030

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58.33% 53.37%

49.14%

*Respondents were asked to select three each

40 34.05%

26.44% 20 14.74%

10 0

4.11% Other

Not enough other staff at work

Too much work on to stop

Being the only one with a certain skill at workplace

Running out of paid sick leave

Saving sick leave for when kids are sick

Saving sick leave for extra holiday

On the tools HEALTH & SAFETY

GET SUBSIDISED HELP FROM H&S PROFESSIONALS

A new series of case study videos show how small and medium residential construction businesses have worked with HASANZregistered health and safety specialists. The videos promote the ACC subsidy scheme that makes it more affordable to access this expert advice. Watch the videos at www.hasanz.org.nz/acc-subsidies-for-businesses

COVID-19 CONTACT FLOWCHART

Do you know the difference between a Covid-19 close, secondary and casual contact? And what you and your workers should do if you come into contact with a confirmed case? A new flowchart produced by Site Safe and CHASNZ is there to help. Download the new resource at www.chasnz.org/covid-19-resources COVID-19 Contact Classification Process What the worker should do

Worker receives ORANGE Bluetooth notification and/or is notified by the Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health will communicate directly with a Secondary Contact of a Close Contact or Close Plus Contact

Worker receives YELLOW Bluetooth notification and/or is notified by the Ministry of Health

Close Contact

Close Plus Contact

Secondary Contact

Casual Contact

Casual Plus Contact

of a Confirmed Case

of a Close Contact

of a Close Plus Contact

of a Confirmed Case

Do NOT go to work

Does the Close Contact have symptoms?

Worker Actions Inform manager of contact status

YES

Do not go to work

Self isolate for 14 days

Okay to work ONLY if the close contact has no symptoms and a negative test

Worker Actions

Do NOT go to work

Worker Actions

Self monitor for symptoms for 14 days

Test immediately Test again at day 5 and day 12

Okay to work

Worker Actions Stay at home until the Close Plus contact returns a negative test

Stay at home Inform manager of contact status

Inform manager of contact status

Get a test at day 5 Stay home until a negative test result is received

Inform manager of contact status

Self monitor for remainder of 14 days

Self monitor for symptoms for 14 days Inform manager of contact status

If symptoms occur then get a test and stay home until test results come back negative.

What to do on-site

Worker is SELF MONITORING or SELF ISOLATING but has not tested positive

Worker is a CONFIRMED CASE

Maintain hygiene standards on site

Communicate with workers to advise them that they need to self-isolate for 14 days and await call/notification from local Public Health Unit or the Ministry of Health. If no call has been received after 48 hours, workers should contact Healthline.

Ensure all workers are well when coming to work

Workplace conducts deep cleaning

Communicate with and support the worker Respect their privacy

For additional advice please contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453 For up to date guidance visit the Ministry of Health website For COVID testing information visit the Health Point website In all cases advice from public health officials will supersede the information provided in this flow chart

Version 1.2 | 08-03-2021

Check your edge protection WorkSafe is reminded businesses to inspect, maintain and routinely replace edge protection. This comes after the sentencing of a car transport company for failing to do this, resulting in the death of a worker from a three-metre fall.

SAFEPLUS ONLINE ASSESSMENT TOOL

COVID-19 FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Try out the SafePlus tool at online.safeplus.nz

Find information on all available support options at www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/financial-support-for-businesses

A quick reminder about the free SafePlus online assessment tool, which can help your business strengthen health and safety and mental wellbeing within your team culture. Developed for small and medium businesses, it’s designed to engage your staff on health and safety leadership, worker engagement and risk management.

There are a number of Covid-19 support payments for businesses, including the Leave Support Scheme and Short-Term Absence Payment for employees who have to miss work while waiting for a test result. Businesses can also get their questions answered on the free Covid-19 Business Helpline: North Island: 0800 500 362 South Island: 0800 505 096

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On the tools LOW-CARBON TECHNOLOGIES

TECHNICAL THEME

THE

FUTURE OF GAS

With New Zealand’s 2050 net zero carbon target, replacements for natural gas and LPG are being investigated. Here, Firstgas Group outlines progress for the promising alternatives of biogas, hydrogen and bioLPG.

This 24m diameter anaerobic digester was constructed in 2020 by Bioceta Ltd for the treatment of high-strength effluent at a Waikato dairy processing site.

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A Firstgas pipeline with Taranaki Maunga in the background.

e all know the benefits of gas: continuous hot water, efficient water and space heating and the good old Kiwi barbecue. Natural gas and LPG are clean burning fuels, with much lower CO2 emissions than coal and create virtually no local air pollution from particulates. Natural gas and LPG are a critical energy source for over 19,0001 commercial and industrial customers such as restaurants, hotels, greenhouses, hospitals and steel makers. Firstgas Group’s 2,500km of high-pressure gas pipelines and 4,800km of distribution pipelines, as well as our network of Rockgas LPG sites, deliver energy to more than 425,000 Kiwis every day. However, we also know that gas needs to change to help New Zealand cut its greenhouse gas emissions and meet New Zealand’s net zero carbon target by 2050. Firstgas Group has been working on this challenge for a while as we think gas has a key role to play in New Zealand’s future energy.

Shaping the future of gas: biogas, hydrogen and bioLPG Firstgas Group is investigating some promising replacements for natural gas and LPG: Biogas is a direct replacement for natural gas and is produced by anaerobic digestion of organic waste (food waste, food processing waste, sewage—anything you can compost)

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A Rockgas delivery truck on the road.

On the tools LOW-CARBON TECHNOLOGIES

Hydrogen can be burnt like natural gas or used in a fuel cell to produce electricity and is produced through the electrolysis of water BioLPG is a direct replacement for LPG and is produced from waste oil products during the manufacture of renewable diesel and other biofuels. Biogas and hydrogen are zero carbon while BioLPG can be zero carbon depending on the feedstock and sources of energy. There are also other technologies to produce synthetic renewable gases, which are less mature. We’re keeping an eye on these other technologies to understand their potential and how they can support the market in the future.

Example of a modern, largescale agricultural biogas plan with 7,160m3 capacity, constructed in 2019 by Lipp GmbH in the Serbian village of Orahovo.

Indicative plant layout for the Ecogas biogas facility in the Waikato district of Reporoa.

TECHNICAL THEME

Biogas—ready to deploy right now Biogas is essentially methane—so it can be burnt in hot water heaters and boilers currently available on the market. When it’s produced, it’s 50% methane and 50% CO2 so it doesn’t burn as cleanly as gas from the pipeline, which is 95% methane. However, the technology to ‘scrub’ and pressurise the gas is well understood and has come down in price due to extensive growth in the industry overseas. This means it’s now possible to treat biogas and make it pipeline spec (biomethane) using equipment that comes pre-packaged in a shipping container. There’s also a CO2 stream that is valuable—it can be used for drinks manufacture, industrial processes or fed into a greenhouse to enhance plant growth. Over the past 20 years, there has been massive growth in biogas production overseas—particularly in the UK, Germany and Denmark2. In fact, the Denmark biogas now makes up 10% of its natual gas, going up to 25% in the summertime3. That’s why the technologies around biogas production and upgrading to inject into the gas network have been improving and coming down in cost. Biogas is already produced at 20 sites in New Zealand—landfills and wastewater treatment plants—where it is burnt to provide heat and power for the site.

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Firstgas Group COO Iwan Bridge and Procurement Manager Greg Dobson cook up a storm on the hydrogen barbecue outside the Firstgas Group warehouse.

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On the tools LOW-CARBON TECHNOLOGIES

Enough biogas is already produced to provide around half of residential gas needs in New Zealand. It’s currently not injected into the gas grid; but that’s what we want to change. Firstgas Group has partnered with Beca Engineering, Fonterra, Lion and EECA to carry out a technical study of the potential of biogas. Together we are investigating how we can unlock the potential for injecting biomethane (cleaned biogas) into our existing gas network. Not only would this have benefits in terms of maximising the value of suitable waste streams, but it would also partially decarbonise the gas network. It would also provide a means for gas users to decarbonise their operations without having to change out appliances. This study is well underway with results due in May 2021.

Hydrogen—the next cab off the rank Hydrogen has huge potential and can be produced at scale using electricity and water and there are no emissions. Current thinking is that up to 20% hydrogen (by volume) can be mixed with methane and burned in existing gas boilers and hot water heaters. This means we could potentially start putting this blend into customers’ homes without changing any appliances. Beyond that we would need to start changing appliances, which is similar to what happened when New Zealand switched from ‘town gas’4 (coal gas) to natural gas in the 1970s. The good news is that there is a huge amount of research going on overseas on this point. The UK5 and Australia6 both have programmes testing appliances and gas connections on both hydrogen blends and 100% hydrogen. There are also hydrogen boilers and ‘hydrogen ready’ boilers in advanced development and testing stages. While a conventional gas boiler will need to be replaced when we convert to hydrogen, a hydrogen ready boiler can be switched over by a technician7. Finally, gas network owners are undertaking a huge amount of R&D to look at safely converting their networks and trials are ongoing in gas distribution networks. As most of our gas standards rely on the UK and Australia, we can use their research for our appliances and networks in most cases. Firstgas Group is tapped into these programmes and plans to make research available as it comes to hand. Firstgas Group is also two years into our own hydrogen trial study. In 2019, we received a Government Provincial Growth Fund grant to understand the feasibility of

transporting hydrogen in our gas networks, how we would convert the networks and what we still need to test. This work is completed and was released in late March. It provides a concrete platform for our testing and development programme. It also helps us paint the picture for potential hydrogen producers and users. We think it will be a valuable contribution to making a zero emissions gas grid a future reality.

BioLPG—ready and waiting BioLPG is another product that is already established overseas, with 180,000 tonnes being produced annually8—that’s around about New Zealand’s annual LPG needs. Mostly, it’s produced in a biofuel refinery when renewable diesel or biofuels are produced from waste vegetable oil. There are also other production methods emerging, but these are less widespread. Using current production methods, bioLPG produces 80% less carbon than conventional LPG. However, if we improve the carbon efficiency of the feedstocks and energy in the refining process, we think it could be zero carbon soon. And, just like biogas, there’s no need to change out equipment as it’s a direct replacement for conventional LPG. As a member of LPGANZ, Firstgas Group is supporting studies into bioLPG across the industry. We’re also looking at how we can support production here or import bioLPG to supply our Rockgas customers. At Firstgas Group, we think the future of LPG and natural gas in a zero carbon New Zealand is strong. Since we’ve already done a substantial amount of work in this area, we think we’re well placed to respond to the zero carbon challenge.

TECHNICAL THEME

BRINGING ZERO CARBON GAS TO AOTEAROA Hydrogen Feasibility Study – Summary Report

FIRSTGAS HYDROGEN FEASIBILITY STUDY

In 2019, Firstgas received government funding to investigate how existing gas infrastructure could adapt to transporting hydrogen. The first phase of the work programme was a hydrogen pipeline trial study to investigate the role of hydrogen in decarbonisation and what we will need to do for our network to carry hydrogen. The results of the study were published in late March and confirm that our network could be 20% hydrogen by 2035, with a move to 100% hydrogen by 2050. Find the hydrogen feasibility study report at www.firstgas.co.nz/about-us/ bringing-zero-carbon-gas-to-aotearoa

References 1 Gas Industry Facts at a Glance, 2019 (Gas Industry Co Ltd) 2 https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/mathieu_eyl-mazzega_biomethane_2019.pdf 3 https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/mathieu_eyl-mazzega_biomethane_2019.pdf 4 Gas produced from coal at gas works 5 https://www.hy4heat.info/wp4 6 https://www.futurefuelscrc.com/project/future-fuels-end-use-type-a-appliances-test-program-rp1-4-01/ 7 https://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/hydrogen 8 http://blog.opisnet.com/multiple-pathways-to-fossil-free-biolpg#:~:text=Current%20bioLPG%20output%20 amounts%20to,are%20used%20as%20process%20fuel

About Firstgas Group Firstgas Group is committed to helping New Zealand achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and is a member of the Climate Leaders’ Coalition. We proudly represent leading companies: Firstgas, Rockgas, Flexgas and Gas Services NZ. Together we lead the delivery of natural gas and LPG in New Zealand. As responsible stewards of our gas distribution and transmission networks, we support a diverse and resilient energy system, serving 300,000 customers across the North Island and more than 125,000 customers using Rockgas LPG nationwide. Firstgas owns and operates more than 2,500km of high-pressure gas transmission pipelines that are essential to supplying natural gas to large industrial customers and 4,800km of gas distribution networks across the North Island. Rockgas delivers LPG from a network of nine branches and 27 franchises and can also pipe LPG straight to customers connected to reticulated gas networks in Christchurch, Queenstown and Wanaka. Flexgas owns and operates the Ahuroa gas storage facility and Gas Services NZ provides expert pipeline maintenance services across the gas industry.

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CHANGE STARTS WITH FINDING THE

The indoor waterfall. The rainmaker. The scorcher. Old turn ‘n’ burn. If the tap’s one degree too far right. We’re in Antarctica. One degree too far left. Liquid lava. It’s enabled the Kiwi thought process since forever ago. It’s helped us internalise the meaning of “yeah, nah”. It’s let us consider if we‘d still cut it as an All Black at 45. And it’s encouraged us to ask ourselves how someone could possibly milk an almond.

SWEET SPOT

Showers have kept Kiwi minds pondering deep into working hours. And with zero carbon gas on the way, they won’t be cooling off any time soon. Here’s to changing the world, without changing too much of yours.

See how gasischanging.co.nz

In March, Master Plumbers provided its feedback to the Climate Change Commission on the draft advice consultation proposing a ban on new gas connections in homes and businesses from 2025. NZ Plumber looks at the Master Plumbers submission and the results of a recent member survey.

efore compiling its submission to the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Master Plumbers surveyed its members to glean their thoughts on the proposed end to new gas connections in homes and businesses from 2025. The responses showed that some businesses were already feeling the impact of the draft advice, with one saying they could lose about 25% of their business if the proposals went ahead and another reporting confusion among customers, who were unsure about the long-term availability of gas and believed the CCC’s advice to be final rather than a proposal.

“Our staff and management team are fielding many questions and jobs are on hold from a small percentage of clients. Clients want gas but they want assurances.” One survey respondent had noticed a big drop off in continuous flow gas hot water system enquiries since the report was released in February, whilst another had seen three gas projects cancelled at the planning stage, saying customers were getting cold feet. A number of respondents felt there had been a lack of engagement and

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GAS INDUSTRY RESPONSE The LPG Association (LPGA) says the LPG industry can achieve the proposed emissions reductions in the Climate Change Commission’s draft advice on gas by migrating to renewable LPG. “Renewable LPG is identical to existing LPG,” it noted in its submission, adding that first-generation technology is already commercially available. “It can be used by existing customers with no change to appliances or industry infrastructure.” It asks the CCC to replace its proposed ban on new connections by 2025 with a new recommendation: to achieve the emissions budget by requiring the introduction of renewable LPG. “A ban on new LPG connections may have unintended consequences, such as customers and market players exiting the industry,” it says. “The people, skills, knowledge and investment currently in conventional LPG are needed to transition the LPG industry into renewable energy.” The LPGA commissioned industrial engineering solutions specialists Worley to study the opportunities for decarbonisation of NZ’s LPG sector. Worley’s modelling demonstrates that the proposed 2050 emissions budget can be achieved by replacing 70% of all LPG sourced with renewable LPG, it says. The Gas Association of New Zealand (GANZ) also opposes the CCC’s recommendation to eliminate use of gas for space and water heating and cooking in homes and businesses from 2025. “Consumers want to continue to use gas and want the gas industry to make that possible by decarbonising gas—and this can be achieved with technology already available,” it said in its submission.

“Instead of a ban, we propose the gas industry be given the opportunity to transition away from supplying existing carbon-based fossil fuels and further develop the technologies that will facilitate the supply of renewable and carbonzero energy sources such as biogas and hydrogen. The technology exists now to supply a carbon-zero gas mix through the current natural gas network.” In terms of a hydrogen-only supply, results from Firstgas Group’s Hydrogen Network Trial study, released in March, have confirmed that its pipeline network could be 20% hydrogen by 2035 and 100% hydrogen by 2050. Firstgas Group plans to blend hydrogen into the North Island natural gas network from 2030, supported by biogas and bioLPG. Hydrogen blends of up to 20% do not require any change to existing appliances, it says.

Consumer campaign To counter the confusion in the marketplace about the future of gas in New Zealand, the LPGA and GANZ will run a pan-industry consumer advertising campaign, delivering a “clear, optimistic, and compelling message” to homeowners. They have invited over 100 businesses to participate, including retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, merchants, associations and plumbing and gasfitting companies.

Final advice due The Climate Change Commission received over 15,000 submissions from individuals and organisations on its draft advice consultation, and will present its final advice to the Government by 31 May.

On the tools LOW-CARBON TECHNOLOGIES

consultation with the industry by the CCC before releasing the draft report. Whilst Master Plumbers is supportive of sustainability measures to help New Zealand reach its net zero emissions target by 2050, the organisation has expressed disappointment that the CCC’s draft advice report focuses on residential gas, when gas use contributes to just 4% of all New Zealand’s CO2 emissions, with residential gas usage contributing just 0.75%. CEO Greg Wallace says the proposal to ban gas in domestic use within five years also does not allow sufficient time to develop natural gas and LPG alternatives, which could be used in existing gas networks—such as biogas, bioLPG and hydrogen. “The government should be fasttracking research and development into these fuels,” he says. In its March submission to the CCC, Master Plumbers stresses the value of having multiple energy networks in New Zealand, rather than an over-reliance on electricity for household heating, hot water and cooking—particularly if drought conditions are to become more commonplace, affecting hydroelectric

TECHNICAL THEME

Since the draft report was released, how many of your customers have asked to cancel gas installation work? None

1-5

6-10

11-19

20+ 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Above: In a Master Plumbers survey to members following the release of the Climate Change Commission’s draft advice, nearly 40% of respondents said up to five customers had already asked to cancel residential gas projects.

supply. It also notes that for many lowincome households, gas is the predominant energy source. “A reduction in the output of gas will additionally lead to a rise in the price of gas, adding undue pressure to those already struggling,” it says. According to the Master Plumbers submission, gasfitting businesses will play an important role in aiding the transition

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towards alternative gaseous energy sources— yet the proposals threaten the future of the industry, with some gasfitting apprentices already questioning the value of continuing with their qualifications. “These apprentices will be expected to maintain existing gas installations and help in the conversion of gas systems far into the future and the loss of these skills and knowledge would be vast.”

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HARNESSING

NATURE

Hydronic heating and cooling technologies use earth and air as energy sources, as these two Stiebel Eltron case studies demonstrate. AUTHOR: CLARISSA VAN EMMENES

educing the energy demand of residential buildings has become a key focus area of the ongoing effort to shift towards a more energy-efficient future. Heat pump technology is evolving rapidly, causing builders to take notice as the technology improves and becomes more affordable—particularly when you consider that nearly 80% of the energy consumed in the home is used for heating and hot water. The following case studies look at two increasingly popular and efficient hydronic heating technologies used in New Zealand homes.

Geothermal heat pumps Geothermal heat pumps, also known as ground-source heat pumps, utilise energy harvested from the ground to provide hydronic heating, cooling and hot water efficiently. These heat pumps achieve a high coefficient of performance due to the stable temperature of the Earth’s surface. According to Marti Smith, director at Heated in Arrowtown, consumer awareness and uptake levels of geothermal heat pump technology varies. “While there’s quite good consumer awareness of the technology, there’s also a resistance to commit as most Kiwis are building for profit. However, most of my clients are building dream or retirement homes and are happy to spend to save.” Typically, the capital cost on geothermal heat pumps is higher, but so are the savings—and they’re instant. According to Heated client Jeff Desbecker, who installed geothermal heating in his approximately 450m2 new build in Lake Hayes, he was able to enjoy lower energy

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Three 80m deep boreholes were needed for this geothermal hydronic heat pump installation for underfloor and radiator heating.

On the tools LOW-CARBON TECHNOLOGIES

TECHNICAL THEME

on the location, installation may require resource consent as drilling is involved. “Most of our clients install the systems on rural properties with a bigger land area and are typically building bigger, long-term homes,” says Marti. The local climate will give you an indication of the average incoming water temperature to the heat pump over the year, which helps with planning the size of the captor loops or borehole depth. Climate typically doesn’t affect pump performance.

GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP QUICK FACTS

Low-temperature fluctuations throughout the year in the ground Heating output throughout the year virtually constant Performance efficiency constant irrespective of outside temperature No defrosting of evaporator required.

Why go geothermal?

One of the smaller geothermal heat pumps installed at Jeff Desbecker’s Lake Hayes project.

bills almost immediately and just in time for winter in 2020. “The property is built on an approximately 1.5 acre site, with two residential flats and a 3-bedroom main house. So we have three different building platforms with three separate demand units and varying demands on the system. “Marti helped us set up controls in every room, and they were able to design a system that would work for our soil. We enjoyed going through last winter with plenty of hot water and heat in a large house with high ceilings.”

Installation The heat pump unit is located in a plant room, usually inside the building. According to Marti, this typically requires negotiation with home owners and architects at the beginning of the project to allow space in the floor plan.

Integrating ground source heat pumps into a new build property is straightforward when the ground works are underway, while system optimisation ensures the heat pump will always perform at maximum efficiency to minimise energy consumption. The challenge when installing a geothermal heating system on a tight residential site is that it uses boreholes, which can add some expense to the project. “If the site has a lot of land, horizontal captor loops can be used to a depth of 1.2 to 1.5m—usually between two to three times the area of the house is required,” says Marti. The Lake Hayes property didn’t have the option to drill, so the team had to lay 1000m of pipe in the ground.

Location, location, location Geothermal heat pumps can be installed anywhere in New Zealand. Depending

A geothermal heat pump is one of the most sustainable and cost-efficient heating/cooling systems currently on the market. Given its capacity for providing a different range of services, such as heat generation, hot water, proper humidity levels and air cooling, it has the potential to become the heating system of choice for many future consumers. Whilst still a bigger upfront cost, prices for ground source heat pumps are decreasing from year to year due to successive technical improvements.

Air source heat pumps Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) absorb heat from the ambient air to heat a home and its hot water. They can extract heat from air even when air temperatures are as low as -25°C. Like all other types of heat pumps, air source heat pumps need electricity to run the compressor. However, as they extract a large part of renewable heat from the environment, the heat output is greater than the electricity input. As a result, the heat pump achieves an excellent ratio between ‘harvested’ heating energy and consumed primary energy. “An air source heat pump enables over four kWh of heating energy to

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On the tools LOW-CARBON TECHNOLOGIES

be generated using one kWh of electrical energy—making it over 400% more efficient than the direct electrical heating,” says Jonathan Toulsen, director at H2Flow Plumbing and Heating in Christchurch. The inverter technology used in air source heating systems will always deliver the precise output required at any given time. This greatly adds to its energy efficiency, and also helps reduce noise emissions during seasons when the fan operates at a lower output.

Installation Air source heat pumps are simpler to install than ground source heat pumps, which makes them more affordable when modernising an existing heating system. “We have options to choose from to suit any demand—from small units through to apartment blocks and commercial buildings,” says Jonathan. “So it’s a really good solution whatever the situation.” The heat pump is typically located outside the house. A circulating pump transfers the energy from the heat pump into the buffer tank, which then circulates it into underfloor pumps or radiators. Domestic hot water can also be produced via a coil and sensor in the domestic hot water cylinder.

TECHNICAL THEME

Air source heat pumps can provide the energy for underfloor and radiator hydronic central heating systems.

Location, location, location Tauranga homeowner Jamie Wentzel has found air source hydronic heating to be perfectly suited to his environment and home. Jamie’s house is older, built almost 50 years ago, and used an old, inefficient oil burner for heating during winter. The mild winters and hot summers proved well suited for an air source heat pump. According to Jonathan Toulson, most of New Zealand is well-suited for air source heating. For old homes like Jamie’s, no

Owners have options for indoor or outdoor installation of air source heat pumps.

building consents are needed, which makes it an even more convenient option. “Retrofits are typically fine unless you’re installing a domestic hot water cylinder— then this will have to have a building consent,” says Jonathan. “With new builds, the pump will need to be included in the plans and specifications being submitted for consent.”

Why go with air source heating?

AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP QUICK FACTS

Operates at quarter of the cost of conventional heating Can provide up to four times as much heat as an electric heater Good longevity, being able to run for over 20 years Ductless versions available for homes without ducts.

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Like many energy efficient technologies, the upfront cost of air source heat pumps is higher, due to the more complicated installation. However, as homeowner Jamie Wentzel notes, “The running costs are so low and we have been able to see a return on investment within four years.” Upfront cost can be reduced depending on which heat pump customers go with. “Units with a reversible refrigerant cycle are often cheaper,” says Jonathan. “This

also ensures that the house will be heated in winter and cooled in summer. “Generally an additional split air conditioning system has to be installed for cooling, but recent installations in many parts of the country have shown that, when suitably sized hydronic heat pumps are chosen during the design phase, the house can be cooled either via underfloor or fan coils. “Cooling with fan coils is more effective than underfloor cooling. Fan coils can be fed with much lower temperatures whereas the circulating water temperature in the underfloor pipes depends on the humidity level of the room.” With greater awareness around reducing the heat loss from a home with wall and ceiling insulation, edge insulation and higher spec windows, homeowners are increasingly taking notice of the financial and environmental benefits of efficient heating and cooling technologies.

About Stiebel Eltron: Stiebel Eltron, which provides both geothermal and air source installations, has seen its market share grow significantly in the renewable energy sector, and is focusing on educating the market via hubs and training sessions, whilst also helping homes and businesses make the shift towards renewable energy to support the Government’s climate goals for 2030.

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On the tools WASTEWATER PUMPS

Working with small bore wastewater pumps In the first of five small bore wastewater pump training articles, Saniflo gives an introduction to the available types. Wastewater pumps can provide alternative, innovative, efficient and cost-effective plumbing solutions in situations where access to existing gravity drainage is not possible: Fixtures may be below the existing sewer/drainage level A new bathroom, laundry or kitchen is being installed in the middle of an existing building, away from any current services or fixtures Design constraints make it too difficult to access conventional drainage. This series will review three types of small bore wastewater pumps: macerator pumps, greywater pumps and lifting stations.

bathroom—toilet, shower, vanity basin and bath, or a combination of these fixtures. Typical macerator pump.

2. Greywater pumps

Typical greywater pump.

A greywater pump is specifically designed to take the incoming wastewater from fixtures such as a kitchen sink, dishwasher, laundry tub, washing machine, hand basin and/or shower, and discharge it through a small-bore pipe to the nearest gravity drainage connection.

3. Lifting stations A lifting station is a larger greywater or combined black- and greywater pump with a larger diameter bore, designed for higher output performance to take the waste from multiple fixtures in demanding commercial or domestic applications. It can be installed remotely from the fixtures.

Typical greywater lifting station.

1. Macerator pumps A macerator grinds/chops organic toilet waste with blades or cutter assemblies rotating at high speed. This fine slurry is then discharged from the pump via a small-bore pipe to the nearest gravity drainage connection. A macerator pump can discharge wastewater from a full

Typical combination lifting station.

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• Huge range of tube and fittings Huge range of tube and fittings in sizes 15 -108mm and pressures up to 4000kPa for Water, Gas & Industrial applications • High performance quality stainless system Fittings made from MM Kembla Stainless Steel tube, ensuring precise tolerances, tightly controlled quality and full range annealing to ensure material properties required of the highest performance system • National availability, technical and sales support Renowned MM Kembla quality, reliability and service Contact MM Kembla for a huge range of stainless steel tube and press fittings and finish fast and in front.

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On the tools HOT WATER SYSTEMS

Hot water cylinder isolation In this new series, Apex Valves shares quick tips for domestic plumbing systems. Hot water cylinders are often installed with several valves in close proximity to the cylinder. A ball valve is commonly fitted to the inlet of the cylinder to provide isolation for servicing. Occasionally, plumbing inspectors suggest that the ball valve should not be there because G12 clause 6.6.6 states “there shall be no valve or restriction between the relief valve and the storage water heater”. The important differentiation here is that the cold water expansion valve is an energysaving device, as detailed in NZS 4305 Energy efficiency – domestic type hot water systems, and not a relief valve, so clause 6.6.6 does not apply. In a mains pressure installation, the temperature and pressure relief valve is the relief valve and in the case of low pressure valve-vented systems, the relief valve performs this function. Plumbers who have been installing hot water cylinders for some time will recall that, in the past, cold water expansion valves were not fitted and installations were still

safe—albeit not so thermally efficient. This demonstrates that it is perfectly safe to fit

a shut-off between the expansion control device and the hot water cylinder.

CP 20

HIGH PRESSURE - Valve Vented HOT WATER TO LAUNDRY & KITCHEN

**See note

150mm min

Insulation

250mm Heat trap

BALANCE PRESSURE COLD WATER

TEMPERED WATER TO BATHROOM

TEMPERING VALVE (TV20)

BALL VALVE COLD WATER INLET

LIMITING STOP VALVE

NONRETURN DRAIN (NR)

COLD WATER EXPANSION VALVE (EVT)

HOT WATER CYLINDER with Thermostat and Thermal Cut-out

CYLINDER DRAIN

*See note

NOTE:

*R.V and E.V drains may be combined provided discharge is via a minimum airbreak of 25mm. Drain must have a minimum size of 20mm diameter and be one size larger than the largest relief valve outlet. (Refer diagram) **1.0m minimum copper pipe length from cylinder to Tempering Valve. (Refer diagram)

A typical schematic of hot water cylinder valves.

About Apex Valves: Apex® Valves are a New Zealand based company that specialise in the design and manufacture of tank, trough and plumbing control valves. These tech tips are drafted by David Crichton, Senior R&D Manager for Apex Valves, and based on customer questions and situations. If you have a technical query, email orders@apexvalves.co.nz or call 0800 500 484.

BACKFLOW SPARE PARTS Hydroflow stocks an extensive range of Watts and Ames spare parts. Checks

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Rubber Parts Join the plumbers club today and you could start earning points to spend on an amazing range of awards. Find out more www.theplumbersclub.co.nz

SPARE PARTS FINDER Download the Hydroflow App to quickly and easily find your required spare part, or scan the qr code to see the full range of backflow spare parts on the Hydroflow website. AKL 09 415 6151 CHCH 03 341 1048

www.hydroflow.co.nz orders@hydroflow.co.nz

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On the tools BUILDING CODE & STANDARDS

STATE OF

STANDARDS So, what’s the problem? A group of construction-related industry organisations, including Master Plumbers and the Specialist Trade Contractors Federation, has come together to share common issues with Standards in Zealand. The group perceives a number of challenges for the current model, including a lack of clear overall strategy for how Standards are developed and maintained across the construction sector. The group is engaging with the Building System Performance team at MBIE to seek possible solutions.

Lack of funding One of the biggest problems is the cost to develop, review and amend Standards. The fee can be anywhere from $7,000 for a minor amendment to hundreds of thousands of dollars for participating in a large project, such as the recent overhaul of the joint Australian and New Zealand AS/NZS 3500 plumbing and drainage Standards series.

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You Kno w?

ew Zealand’s construction Standards play an important role. A means of demonstrating compliance with the NZ Building Code, Standards enable a consistent approach by designers, builders, Building Consent Authorities and product suppliers. They also set a benchmark for expected performance requirements for products and services not covered by the Building Code.

DI d

Construction sector representatives, including Master Plumbers, are seeking solutions to the many challenges they see for Standards in New Zealand. NZ Plumber takes a closer look.

Standards are developed and maintained by Standards NZ, a business unit of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Standards are designed to improve safety, quality and best practice Standards provide a means of compliance. They are not mandatory or legally required unless referenced in legislation A limited number of free building-related Standards can be accessed at www.standards. govt.nz/sponsored-standards/ building-standards An online catalogue of Standards relevant to the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying sector is available to Master Plumbers members at discounted rates. Details in the member log-in area at www.masterplumbers.org.nz (under Business Resources).

The group would like to see these costs being met by the Building Levy, which is collected with every building consent. “A couple of years ago, when MBIE proposed reducing the Building Levy, Master Plumbers was among the organisations against the idea, as we felt the money could be put to good use in funding Standards,” says Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace. The reduction went ahead, however, leaving construction industry players in a position where they must source their own funds or request help from MBIE. It is estimated that the industry paid three times the total cost of MBIE funding towards Standards reviews in 2020, according to Wallace. “When the joint AS/NZS 3500 series came up for review, Master Plumbers had to push hard for MBIE to fund New Zealand participation,” he says. “It went ahead partly because of the urgent need to update these Standards to reflect new knowledge about plumbing and drainage seismic requirements following the Christchurch earthquakes.” Short notice of upcoming reviews also makes it extremely difficult for industry organisations to budget for involvement in relevant Standards as they come up during the year.

Payment for participation Another significant issue is the lack of payment by Standards NZ to people who agree to share their specialist knowledge

on Standards committees—often taking time out of their own businesses to do so. This hits particularly hard when the participant has to travel back and forth to Australia to contribute to joint New Zealand and Australian Standards. Master Plumbers National President Jon Lewis, for example, puts a huge amount of time and energy into the working committee for the AS/NZS 3500 Standards series—and his knowledge and input is greatly valued by Standards Australia. As he receives no payment from Standards NZ, Master Plumbers pays Jon an agreed rate to participate in the committee as well as meeting his related travel costs. “If Master Plumbers didn’t do this, there’s every chance plumbing-related Standards like these would become permanently de-jointed and New Zealand would have no influence on their future content,” says Wallace. “This has happened to other joint construction Standards, with the result that the AS Standard may not be fit for application here.”

QUIET, EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE. THE GRANT VORTEX CONDENSING BOILER WITH RIELLO BURNER. “When the joint AS/NZS 3500 series came up for review, Master Plumbers had to push hard for MBIE to fund New Zealand participation.” GREG WALLACE CEO, Master Plumbers Any short-term savings in allowing a Standard to become de-jointed could prove extremely costly for New Zealand down the track, he adds, should large public plumbing projects fall below performance requirements and need millions of dollars of repair work.

Barriers to access The majority of Standards can only be accessed on a user-pays basis. The group believes this does not give due regard to the value of intellectual property from the construction industry and also does not adequately consider public good. “I find it bizarre that our members voluntarily impart their industry knowledge to help develop Standards and yet Standards NZ wants to sell the portfolio of Standards relevant to our industry,” says Wallace. Representatives from the group met with MBIE’s Building Systems Performance team in March to discuss the challenges for construction Standards. NZ Plumber will keep readers updated on progress.

The Grant Vortex boiler has some of the highest energy efficiency ratings in the New Zealand market, which not only significantly lowers fuel bills but also considerably reduces greenhouse gas emissions and lessens the environmental impact of domestic hot water and heating systems.

SOLUTIONS Unlike traditionalRADIATOR oil-fired boilers, the Grant Vortex condensing boiler has a built-in stainless steel heat exchanger incorporating our unique turbulator baffle system which cools the gases to a point where the latent heat, normally lost to the atmosphere through the flue, can be usefully extracted. The additional energy recovered enables the boiler to operate continuously at much higher efficiency levels, resulting in lower heating and hot water running costs. • Outputs 15-70kW • Built-in stainless steel heat exchanger • Exceptionally quiet operation • Up to 97% efficiency • Easy to install For further information, please feel free to call us on 0800 WATERWARE or email us at info@waterware.co.nz and we would be happy to discuss your requirements.

THIS EDITION’S MARKETPLACE MOVERS AND SHAKERS.

Fire. Reimagined. Blur the line between outdoors and indoors with the stunning new Rinnai Linear Indoor Outdoor gas fire collection. Enjoy the beautiful warmth from the flickering flames indoors and the additional ambience when entertaining outdoors. The Linear window assembly allows an 800, 1000 or 1500 double-sided Linear model to be installed in an external wall. These fires have been modified to allow for a window installation and this window can be easily accessed for cleaning purposes.

The Linear collection took inspiration from Aoteroa’s unique landscapes with Rinnai’s designers creating highly realistic logs and stones for the fires. As well as the newly introduced Indoor Outdoor gas fire, the collection includes single and double-sided glass variants. The Linear 800 variant features FlameTech, where the flames emanate from the logs themselves just as they do in real life. For more, visit rinnai.co.nz/linearcollection

Apex Dry Wall Kit The Apex Dry Wall Kit is an isolation valve kit designed for the fast, tidy and efficient installation where plumbing work penetrates through plasterboard. The kit allows for first fix plumbing pressure testing to occur without the need for sealing plugs and eliminates the risk of water spillage behind the dry wall during second fix plumbing. Also included in the Dry Wall Kit are patented shrouds that house components required for second fix plumbing and protect the ball valves during remaining building work. The spike included on the face of the shroud allows for easy location of the hole centre for plasterboard installers. Innovative, flexible escutcheons are included for a tidy finish over the hole in the plasterboard. The Dry Wall Kit complements the Apex CP20 and CP20FF perfectly but can be used anywhere you need an easy to install, full flow, ¾” isolation valve. www.apexvalves.co.nz 050

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On the tools PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Introducing Felton’s Tate Aerlux™ Handpiece Designed and assembled in New Zealand, the Tate Aerlux™ Handpiece is an all pressure, luxurious handpiece, which is supplied with two Aerlux™ jets for mains pressure situations. The Aerlux™ technology gives homeowners the freedom to create their ideal shower through unique spray options. The Aerlux™ jet draws in air, adding volume to each water droplet, creating a softer more radiant shower. The Tate Aerlux™ handpiece encapsulates simplicity and versatility combined with innovative technology, so you can experience your most idyllic shower through unique spray options. With its timeless design and variety of luxury finishes, it’s the perfect handpiece to complement any bathroom. Available now through your local plumbing merchant, in a range of PVD finishes. Find out more at www.felton.co.nz

Allproof round drainage pit New to the market is Allproof’s round plastic drainage pit DP350x700R. Made in NZ, this drainage pit has been designed to comply with E1/AS1 clause 3.6. At 700mm depth, it caters for 300mm of sediment collection and enough space above to include a half syphon outlet. The pit has a durable cast iron grate and comes with a 100mm drainage pit seal. A riser is available creating a total depth of 875mm with a 60L capacity. www.allproof.co.nz

Extending the Pexline range Buteline announce the release of some new fittings to extend the Pexline range: PFF20B Fixed Female 3/4” BSP x 20mm PML16B Brass Lugged Male Adaptor 1/2” BSP x 16mm PE2016 Reducing Elbow 20mm x 16mm 32mm Pexline range: 32mm Pexline is now available for applications in larger residential or light commercial projects. You can now have the confidence and reliability of installing one system from the street to the tap utilising Pexline 32mm, 25mm, 20mm and 16mm. www.buteline.com/nz/pexline

PFF20B

PML16B

PE2016

32mm available now!

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On the tools PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Methven Aio Sink Mixer The Aio Sink Mixer completes the Aio Collection of showers and tapware by Methven. Features include: Available in black and chrome 20 year warranty Ceramic disc ensuring durability and no-drip water efficiency Suitable for water pressures between 150-500 kPa WELS Rating: 4 star on mains pressure 7.5L/min www.methven.com

Four NEW SecuraGold™ fittings

Surface water sump products from APD

Already one of the most extensive Hot and Cold Polybutylene-1 piping systems in New Zealand, Dux SecuraGold™ has 4 size diameters (12mm, 15mm, 20mm and 28mm) and now, with the introduction of four new fittings, over 90 DZR brass fittings to choose from. Joining the range is the SecuraGold™ 15mm Lugged Male Adaptor (SAML3), suited for use in small spaces, such as an island bench or shower mixer, where additional fixing points are needed to keep the pipe work tidy and discreet. BSP Female Adaptors also join the SecuraGold™ range in both 15mm (SAF3) and 20mm (SAF4). The female threaded fitting is ideal for joining straight male threaded PVC, galv pipe, brass and PE fittings. A new size of BSP Swivel Connector (20mm x ½” BSP Swivel Connector – SXC34) joins the range and is effective in low pressure situations to get additional flow to a fixture.

APD StormPit Bubble Up

www.dux.co.nz/securagold 052

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SAML3

SAF3

SAF4

SXC34

The APD StormPit bubble up chamber is designed to meet all the NZBC requirements and makes your job faster and easier! Adjustable in overall height from 835mm-1010mm Moulded garden lid with fixings 175mm of height adjustment 2 x flat panels for easy installation of pipe and seals to the required height 2 x 100mm Wallace seals provided Anti-floatation ring Easy height identification marks for cutting and drilling Made in NZ from water tank grade HDPE material suitable for below ground installation.

APD StormPit Type 2 Why use heavy difficult concrete sumps when you can use an NZBC compliant APD Type 2 sump and make your job easier! Lightweight – only 45kg excluding grate Adjustable in height from 1270mm1520mm from base to FGL Ability to easily install 150mm syphon with access cap Easy cutting with hole saw and use of 150mm rubber seals 1 x 250mm spigot, 2 x 150mm spigots and 2 flat panels for multiple inlet or outlet locations Anti-floatation ring. No additional concrete at base required Made in NZ from water tank grade HDPE material suitable for below ground installation. For more information, contact your APD account manager or call 09 263 7741; www.apd.co.nz

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

GOLD PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS

A Group SFA Company

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Master Plumbers

THIS EDITION’S UPDATES FROM MASTER PLUMBERS.

Seen our TV ad?

Sleep easy when you get a Master Plumber to do your work. That’s the message of the recent TV ad campaign. A dripping tap that keeps a homeowner awake at night leads him to attempt a DIY fix with disastrous results in the Master Plumbers ad campaign. The campaign uses humour to let consumers know they can sleep easy when they hire a Master Plumber for their plumbing, gas and drainage work. The advert aired on broadcast TV and TVNZ On Demand during March and April, accompanied by brand display on Stuff. You can watch the advert on You Tube: https://youtu.be/2n9-RZoRH4g

Real-life plumber Paul Olsen, of member business Whitehead Plumbing & Gas in Christchurch, features in the Master Plumbers ad campaign.

54 BULLETIN 58 MEMBER PROFILE 62 BRANCHES & ASSOCIATIONS

64 MASTERLINK

MESSAGEBOARD

67 PLATINUM

PARTNER PROFILE

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DID YOU KNOW? There’s still time to enter for the Master Plumbers Outward Bound Scholarship! Master Plumbers Apprentice Members aged 18+ are eligible to apply. The course, worth over $3,500, runs from 7-22 June. Apply by 7 May at www. masterplumbers.org.nz/about/ apprenticeships/outwardbound-scholarship/

Master Plumbers

CELEBRATING WORLD PLUMBING DAY… To mark World Plumbing Day on 11 March we ran our popular Win a Master Plumbers for a Day competition once more. The winner, announced as NZ Plumber went to print, receives eight hours’ plumbing, gas or drainage work towards their chosen project. We’ll have more about the lucky winner in an upcoming edition.

One lucky winner receives 8 hours’ free labour from a Master Plumbers member business on the project of their choice!

UPDATES

…AND INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY! For International Women’s Day on 8 March, Master Plumbers gave a shout out to all the women in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry. We marked the day with a Facebook prize draw, with three lucky winners each receiving a gift hamper and a morning tea for the workplace, thanks to Rheem NZ. We had so many amazing nominations for superwomen in businesses all around New Zealand. Congratulations to our three draw winners: Janie Aldridge, nominated by Andrew Durrans of Auckland Plumbers Group for being an extremely valuable member of the team, now into the second year of her plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeship. “You know you have an impressive apprentice when the tradespeople want to work with them… and Janie is that person,” said Andrew. Karishma Singh, nominated by Ngaire Mansfield of Straight Flush Plumbing in Wellington for the way she knows the operational side of the business inside out.

“We hands down couldn’t run the show without her,” said Ngaire. Jade Corry, who bought Putaruru-based Van Dam Plumbing with her husband last year, and said she’d love to take the team out for a first birthday brunch!

APPRENTICESHIP ADVOCACY Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace met with Education Minister Chris Hipkins in March to discuss apprenticeships in our sector. He was joined at the meeting by Colleen Upton of Master Plumbers member company Hutt Gas and Plumbing. From Master Plumbers’ perspective, the key issues include the need for continued financial support for employers to take on apprentices beyond the Apprenticeship Boost funding, which ends in August 2022. “Whilst this, together with the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund has increased numbers of new plumbing gasfitting and drainlaying apprentices by 23 percent, overall numbers of licensed practitioners have only increased by one percent,” says Wallace. “We are still looking at a shortfall of qualified tradespeople.” The current funding, coupled with the government’s marketing campaign to attract more people to trades careers, has resulted in heavy demand for Level 4 courses, which the TEC and training providers are struggling to meet, according

to Wallace. Master Plumbers welcomes plans to embed Level 4 block courses in Level 3 training and hope to see this programme up and running in early 2022. “We are also lobbying for increased levels of online learning,” he says. “Currently only the Industry Connection of Excellence delivers online block courses—putting their students at a distinct advantage. Online learning would future-proof training and should become the norm. Modules created by a centralised provider and rolled out across New Zealand would also help address inconsistencies in training and enable students to transfer easily between regions.”

BEST IN BRAND Congrats to DrainPro in Christchurch for winning the latest Best in Brand $200 Prezzy Card prize! This photo shows their new ‘tranysaurus’ displaying the Master Drainlayers logo. “We have the logo proudly on all of our vehicles,” they say. Good on ya!

Are you next?

Education Minister Chris Hipkins talking with members of the Hutt Valley Master Plumbers at a 2020 branch event.

To be in with a chance to win the next $200 Best in Brand prize, just send us a photo showing how you use the Master Plumbers brand in your business. Email Lisa Onland by 14 May 2021: lonland@ masterplumbers.org.nz

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H NEWSFLLAisSa for

Meet the team... Get to know the Master Plumbers team with our quick Q&As.

to Congrats cted as a le being se the NAWIC finalist in Awards! Excellence

1. What does your day-to-day role entail? I work closely with the Masterlink team on HR and wellbeing matters, whilst also working with Master Plumbers’ members on any inhouse HR issues they may have. I also assist with new member sign-ups and love getting out and networking with members when I can. No two days are ever the same which makes for a very interesting and very challenging role! Oh and I also work with the Canterbury Master Plumbers as their Secretary! 2. Where are you based for work? I work out of the Master Plumbers Christchurch office and also spend quite a bit of time in the national office in Wellington.

NAME:

Lisa Duston ROLE:

HR Manager

3. What’s your work background? My last couple of roles were as Payroll Manager at Crane Distribution—Mico, Corys and Mastertrade—and working on the Earthquake Recovery team at Fletcher Building.

SPEAKING UP ABOUT WELLBEING In a new Master Plumbers video series, Speak Up, men and women in our industry talk openly and honestly about their personal challenges and what they’ve gained by speaking up instead of shutting down. The first video features Christchurch plumbing business owner Johnny Gardner, who came to realise how important it is to reach out for support after experiencing personal loss. Johnny has made open communication a key part of the workplace culture at his business. The series is part of the Master Plumbers Wellbeing on Tap programme. View the Speak Up videos on the Master Plumbers Facebook page: www.facebook.com/masterplumbersnz

4. Can you tell us a bit about you? I am a Canterbury girl. My partner and I have recently built a house on a 2-acre section in North Canterbury and we love it. It’s nice to be out of the hustle and bustle of the city with a little bit of land to play with! Our blended family has five kids ranging from 13 to 20, three cats and one dog… and some resident pukekos, ducks and cows. 5. What music do you like? I like most music, but anything from the Eighties gets me every time. 6. Do you have a favourite book or movie? I’ve just finished reading American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. I read it in three days and couldn’t put it down! 7. Where’s your favourite holiday spot? Anywhere in the Marlborough Sounds—it’s just beautiful and the views are sensational. 8. Is there someone who particularly inspires you? Princess Diana. 9. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I like walking and exploring new tracks. We are also lucky to have a beach close. Being down there is great for exercise and stress relief.

NEW: PRIVACY ACT RESOURCES Master Plumbers has developed a new fact sheet for members, which outlines your key obligations under the 2020 Privacy Act and answers some frequently asked questions. The resource also provides the steps your Privacy Officer should take in the event of a privacy breach. Accompanying the fact sheet is a data retention checklist template. Use it in your business to help guide your approach to the personal information you hold on your employees. Find the new resources in the member log-in area at www.masterplumbers.org.nz (under HR Support).

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, HR & technical support, plus training and member discounts—and we advocate for our members as a collective industry voice. Get in touch to discuss our two-year membership deal! Contact 0800 502 102 membership@masterplumbers.org.nz Above: Johnny Gardner is the first the feature in the new Master Plumbers Speak Up video series.

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Master Plumbers

UPDATES

2021 NEW ZEALAND MASTER PLUMBER OF THE YEAR! Huge congratulations to Rotorua-based BOP Plumbing & Gas for winning this year’s supreme New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award. In the past five years, this family business, run by Aaron and Sarah Jamieson, has grown from a one-man-band to employ a team of 24, with a second branch opening in Kawerau in early 2020. Find out more about this winning team on page 58—and turn to page 24 to discover all the award winners at the 2021 New Zealand Plumbing Awards, held on 26 March in Blenheim.

Membership milestones Each year, we celebrate long-serving members for reaching significant milestones. In 2021, they are:

70 YEARS

■ Pat O’Sullivan Ltd

50 YEARS

■ Northland Plumbers (1970) Ltd ■ Quix Commercial Ltd

40 YEARS

■ Professional Plumbing Ltd ■ Plumberman (Tauranga) Ltd ■ Reid Plumbing Ltd ■ Taumarunui Plumbing Ltd ■ Te Aroha Plumbing & Drainage Ltd ■ Chris Wilson Plumbing Ltd ■ Hawkes Bay Wastewater Management Ltd ■ Allan Hughes Plumbing Ltd ■ Porta Showers Ltd ■ RJ Webster

Andrew and Christina Christison of Hawkes Bay Wastewater Management with their 40-year Membership Milestone Award— one of nine presented in person during the NZ Plumbing Awards Night to businesses marking key membership milestones.

30 YEARS

■ McSweeney-O’Connell Plumbing Services ■ Aitken’s Plumbing Service ■ Watkins Plumbing Services Ltd ■ Taihape Plumbing Ltd

20 YEARS

■ Plumbing & Gas Works Ltd ■ Emery’s Plumbing & Gasfitting Ltd ■ Woodbury Plumbing Ltd ■ Marlborough Plumbing & Heating ■ McIvor Plumbers & Gasfitters Wanaka ■ Rob Watson Plumbing & Drainlaying Ltd ■ George Botica & Co 1998 Ltd ■ MacMillan Plumbing and Gas Ltd ■ Team Aqua Ltd ■ Plumberman (Hamilton) Ltd

10 YEARS

■ Collins Plumbing and Gas Ltd ■ Chris Hollick Plumbing ■ Richardson Plumbing & Gas Fitting ■ Jackson Plumbing Nelson Ltd ■ Colin R Smith Ltd ■ Morse Plumbing Ltd ■ Plumbworx Ltd ■ Affordable Plumbing Solutions Ltd ■ Admax Contracting Ltd ■ Precision Plumbing 2010 Ltd ■ Thames Drainage & Digging Co Ltd ■ Plumbing Connections Ltd ■ Barry Curtis Plumbing Ltd ■ Pride in Plumbing Ltd ■ Laser Plumbing Christchurch East

■ Smithies Plumbing & Drainlaying ■ Fluid Plumbing Solutions Ltd ■ Thomson Plumbing & Gasfitting Ltd ■ Graham Bull Plumbing ■ Rohland Plumbing and Pump Services Ltd ■ Liquid Gas Services Limited ■ Delaney Plumbing Ltd ■ Piping Hot Plumbing & Drainage Ltd ■ Holmes Plumbing ■ Hurunui Drainage & Plumbing Ltd ■ DWYERtech Services Ltd ■ Drainage Systems Ltd ■ Clark Plumbing & Gas Ltd t/a Laser Plumbing Wanganui ■ K&B Plumbing Ltd ■ Allstar Plumbing Ltd ■ Jet Waste & Water Ltd ■ The Bathroom Building Company Ltd ■ Ron Johnston Drainlayer ■ Climate & Plumbing ■ Kara Drainage Ltd ■ Braden Hammond Ltd

WELCOME!

A warm welcome to new Master Plumbers member businesses: ■ Carl Horne Drainage Ltd, Gisborne ■ On Tap Plumbing, Waikato ■ Optiplumb Ltd, Waikato ■ Plumb It Ltd, Waikato

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I Family-owned BOP Plumbing & Gas have won the 2021 supreme New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award. NZ Plumber discovers the success story behind their business.

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n a small city like Rotorua, reputation is everything, says Sarah Jamieson of BOP Plumbing & Gas. Over the past five years, she and husband Aaron have made major upgrades to their business to ensure its reputation is solid gold throughout the Bay of Plenty region. They’ve upgraded their fleet, had the building repainted, rebranded the company, and updated their website and online presence. They’ve also moved from manual, paper-based invoicing and accounts to software management systems to improve their efficiency. All with the aim of

Master Plumbers

creating a lasting, professional image with their customers. “We’ve also supplied the team with uniforms to wear and business cards to hand out, so our customers have a record of who came to site,” says Sarah. “We like to promote a professional image and we want our staff to be proud of the company they work for.”

Overnight growth Their efforts began back in 2016, when Aaron and Sarah merged their business with Aaron’s father Graham Jamieson’s long-standing company, Gas & Plumbing Services, to become

BOP Plumbing & Gas. It was a big change for Aaron, going overnight from being a one-man-band to having a team of five guys, but he thrived on the challenge. The business has since grown to employ a full team of 26, with a second branch opening in Kawerau in March 2020—just as New Zealand entered the initial Covid-19 lockdown. The challenges have only made them more determined to expand and adapt as they grow. Aaron is the first to admit he loves being on the tools rather than in the office, and he is passionate about

MEMBER PROFILE

passing on his skills to the apprentices coming through the business. To free up some of his time, BOP Plumbing & Gas recently employed an Operations Manager and a full-time Estimator to ensure clients’ needs are being met. The company offers a broad range of services including domestic plumbing, commercial maintenance, hot water conversions and gas hob installations. They take particular pride in their specialised gas appliance skills. Understanding that leaks and blocked drains don’t always happen during working hours, they also offer a 24-hour emergency service.

The BOP Plumbing & Gas team always wear clean and tidy uniforms, and introduce themselves to customers by presenting their business card and licence ID. The team gathered for this photo to celebrate their award win.

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Master Plumbers

MEMBER PROFILE

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick (centre) joined Aaron, Sarah and Graham Jamieson for the photo shoot to celebrate BOP Plumbing & Gas winning the 2021 New Zealand Plumber of the Year Award.

“Our customers know they will never be left without hot water or gas, which is especially important for clients such as motels and restaurants,” says Sarah.

Focus on apprentices Apprentices at the firm appreciate the variety of work on offer, with plumbing, gas, and drainage training. “We currently have 10 apprentices, and as they progress through their training, we will be looking to take on more,” says Sarah. “We always ensure there is a good balance between qualified tradespeople and apprentices, to make sure we’re giving the best training experience to our team.” Looking after staff is a key part of their success, from apprentices and newbies to their longest-standing workers. It promotes that sense of pride and being valued that shines through in their quality of work. Aaron also makes time in training their upcoming workers. He provides a weekly night class for the company’s apprentices, giving them a space to learn more and workshops on particular topics. He’s also on hand to help them out if they’re struggling with a particular bit of bookwork.

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“Once a month, he does a full team training on a relevant topic,” says Sarah. “It’s important to remember that even your qualified tradespeople still require refreshers and training in certain areas. We regularly send our staff out of town on product training.” As if he’s not busy enough, Aaron is also the current President of the Volcanic

Plateau Master Plumbers, actively out in the community trying to attract new members.

Family matters At the end of the day, though, enjoying family time is a priority. As Sarah explains: “Having two young children, we understand that family comes first, and we try and accommodate that with our staff too.”

The business always has apprentices coming through. Shown here are new apprentice Daisylee Wilson-Rogers and Joshua Powell, who works out of the Kawerau branch. Joshua will have completed his apprenticeship by the end of the year.

MASTERLINK APPRENTICE

TRAINING IS HERE! Apprentice roles & responsibilities Customer service excellence Financial capabilities Time management Handling complaints Communications

Host Training coming soon Courses are delivered online, face-to-face or through a combination of these methods Find out more: Email training@masterlink.co.nz Call us on 0800 502 102 Visit Masterlink.co.nz

Master Plumbers

BRANCHES & ASSOCIATIONS

OUT & ABOUT A round-up of regional activities for the Master Plumbers Branches and Associations.

Gone fishin’ A great day was had by all at this year’s Waikato vs BOP/Coromandel Master Plumbers fishing competition in February. The day started at 3.30am, with two vans leaving from Hamilton and Tauranga to get to Te Kuma boat ramp by 6.30am for the halfday charters, with food and drink provided. “Our skipper got us into a good area and in a 2hr spot we must have hooked up around 85 snapper,” says BOP/ Coromandel Master Plumbers President Andy Delaney, who helped organise the event with Warren Thompson. “Between the two boats, we caught about 170 snapper.” Afterwards, the two teams of 16 went back to the local RSA for prize giving, a feed (including some of the freshly filleted fish) and some beers. BOP/Coromandel Master Plumbers kept the snapper trophy for another year, with Andrew Hofer from Iplex catching a snapper weighing in at 6.4lb. But the Waikato Master Plumbers secured the winning cup for the second year running, with an average weight of 17.7lbs compared with BOP/ Coromandel’s 16.8lbs. Everyone got a prize to take home, along with a bag of fillets. “A big thank you to our sponsors, Marley, Iplex, Hirepool and Dux, who supported this year’s competition,” says Andy. “And also to Warren Thompson, who organised pretty much everything. He does a fantastic job and I don’t think the comp would go ahead without him.” The boats are already booked for next year and a third has been organised in the hope of including the Auckland Master Plumbers in the 2022 event.

Meet the inspectors

teams in the ught between the two s fishing comp. ca re we per ap sn 0 17 ber About romandel Master Plum Waikato and BOP/Co

Andrew Hofer (right) of Iplex won snapper trophy for his 6.4lb catch.the

Matt Sheterline of the BOP/Coromandel Branch with his Hirepool rod and reel prize.

There was a good turn out at the Wellington Master Plumbers ‘Meet at the Inspectors’ evening A The Cross in February. s panel of representative ies from the local authorit in Wellington, Hutt piti Valley, Porirua and Ka e provided an informativ Q&A session.

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One for the West Coa st

National Master Plumb was among those atten ers President Jon Lewis Plumbers meeting andding the Canterbury Master in Greymouth in mid-Fdinner at the Paroa Hotel CEO Greg Wallace was ebruary. Master Plumbers on what Master Plumb also there to update members ers has in store for 2021 . g d with a wellbein The evening ende aster Plumbers’ M workshop from tant Kereama Carmody. wellbeing consul

VANTAGE Masterlink South Island Regional Manager Sam Timlin (left) took the opportunity to present Masterlink apprentice Josh Coleman with his Plumbing and Gasfitting National Certificates. Josh, who now plans to qualify in drainlaying, is shown here with his boss Paul Cumming of Master Plumbers’ member business Paul Tha Plumber, based in Franz Josef.

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www.greenstapware.com

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THE LATEST NEWS ROUND-UP FROM MASTERLINK INCLUDES THE 2021 WINNERS AT THE NZ PLUMBING AWARDS!

Our Plumbing World Scholarship winners Congratulations to all three of our Masterlink apprentices to win Plumbing World Scholarships at the 2021 NZ Plumbing Awards Night in late March. Ollie Tabak started his plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeship in 2019, when he was just 19 and for the past 12 months has been working on a large-scale retirement home. His host employer, Clyne and Bennie says he’s always consistent, reliable and brings a positive attitude to all his jobs. Matt Bird is dependable, proactive, positive, efficient and really cares about the client, says host company Hunter Plumbing & Drainage. Following a very tough upbringing, Matt turned his life around when he started his own family. In working

towards a plumbing and drainlaying qualification, he conducts himself in a way that gains respect from clients, workmates and associates. Vinny Roth is in the final year of his plumbing and gasfitting apprenticeship. He originally came to EG Glennie as a casual labourer, but his hard work and reliability led them to offer him an apprenticeship. He is a well-liked and respected part of the business—always ready to lend a hand to his team mates. Each receives a $1,000 credit to spend at their local Plumbing World branch. As overall winner, Ollie Tabak also won an NZ Plumbing Conference & Awards Night package, including flights and accommodation.

Masterlink apprentice Plumbing World Scholarship winners (from left) Ollie Tabak, Matt Bird and Vinny Roth with Plumbing World GM Rob Kidd and Master Plumbers Board Chairman Craig Foley.

WELL DONE, RYAN! Thanks to a $2,000 Greens Tapware Scholarship, Masterlink apprentice Ryan Chalmers is off to a flying start with his plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeship. Ryan is the very first to be awarded this new scholarship, which is open to apprentices within their first three months of employment by Masterlink or a Master Plumbers member business. Ryan is hosted by Matthews Plumbing & Gasfitting in Auckland. Read more about his scholarship win on page 78.

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Ryan Chalmers at the $2,000 Greens Tapware Scholarship presentation.

Master Plumbers

JAMES DOUGLAS MEDALLION SUCCESS At Masterlink, we’re mighty proud that two of the three James Douglas Medallion finalists completed their apprenticeships through Masterlink. This award is presented each year to outstanding newly qualified tradespeople, with three finalists selected from the trades of plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying. The overall winner, chosen from the three finalists, receives a $500 cash prize along with a Career Development Scholarship worth $2,500 from The Skills Organisation. Newly qualified Masterlink apprentice Paddy Sweeney was selected as one of two Plumbing Finalists, whilst Alan Wharton of Flints Plumbing & Drainage in Queenstown is the Gasfitting Finalist and overall James Douglas Medallion winner. Congratulations both!

MASTERLINK

Get to know our Regional Managers COLIN KILPATRICK AUCKLAND REGIONAL MANAGER A qualified electrician by training, Masterlink Auckland Regional Manager Colin Kilpatrick has over 40 years’ experience in business, people and area management, and customer service. He says his business career has been built on engaging with people from all walks of life, listening to their needs, developing solutions and delivering a better than expected result. “I totally believe in the apprenticeship system of training and have genuine empathy for the work ethic required in an apprentice,” says Colin. “I understand the sacrifice and discipline needed by both parties to see the partnership through to a completed high-quality qualification.” Colin says he brings a goal-oriented approach to the apprenticeship experience for both the apprentice and the employer.

Auckland RM Colin Kilpatrick’s hosts and apprentices testify that he’s always willing to go the extra mile to help out.

“This includes seeking out viable apprenticeship placement opportunities, matching host businesses to suitable candidates and above all mentoring both parties through to a mutually beneficial and rewarding working relationship via regular, focused liaison, consultation and support.”

APPRENTICE TOOL INSURANCE OFFER Are your tools covered against theft, accidental loss (including fire) and accidental damage? Crombie Lockwood has a special insurance deal for Masterlink apprentices through Master Plumbers Insurance. Get $5,000 of cover (including cover in vehicles) with $250 excess—all for an annual payment of $355 inc GST. That’s less than $7 a week. There is also the option to extend the cover to $10,000 for an annual charge of $710 inc GST. James Douglas Medallion overall winner Alan Wharton of Queenstown-based Flints Plumbing & Drainage with his partner Sarah Robertson.

Contact the Crombie Lockwood team to discuss your needs on 0800 866 766; masterplumbers@mhib.co.nz

GET IN TOUCH Need an apprentice in your business? Masterlink Regional Managers are here to help.

Colin Kilpatrick Auckland 021 773 296

Russell Walsh Central North Island 027 600 9929

Bob McCoy Lower North Island 027 479 0075

Sam Timlin Upper South Island 021 433 615

Brendan Parker Lower South Island 021 644 560

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Master Plumbers

MASTERLINK

Masterlink milestones WELCOME

A warm welcome to new Masterlink apprentices: ■ Ryan Chalmers – Matthews Plumbing and Gasfitting, Auckland ■ Jason Bennett – Kumeu Plumbing, Auckland ■ Samisoni Alatini – BDK Drainage, Auckland ■ Brendan Wood – Plumbing & Gas Works, Hamilton ■ Daniel Eskrick – Pipe Masters, Mount Maunganui ■ Tuawhenua Downes – Laser Plumbing Te Puke ■ Wesley Ridgway – Laser Plumbing Te Puke ■ Fergus Conley – Laser Plumbing New Plymouth ■ Kai Gurton – Laser Plumbing Whanganui ■ Brian Melville-Grace – Laser Plumbing Manawatu, Palmerston North ■ Jason Van Der Vegt – Kiwi Plumbing & Gasfitting Services, Upper Hutt ■ Jedric Haymes – Plumbing Services Nelson ■ Daniel Wells – Rangiora Plumbing, Rangiora ■ Devyn Aldridge – Central Heating and Plumbing Systems, Christchurch ■ Mackay Caulfield – R & R Plumbing and Gas, Wanaka ■ Finlay Nolet – Hardy Plumbing, Wanaka ■ Roche Boshoff – HiFlo Plumbing and Gas, Oamaru ■ Zackary Stalker – Plumbline Plumbing & Gas, Dunedin ■ Jacobus Van Niekirk – Goodman Plumbing, Winton

QUALIFIED!

Congratulations to all newly qualified Masterlink apprentices and a big thanks to their host businesses! Samson Alatini (second from left) has just joined fellow Masterlink apprentices Ken Gao (left) and Stewart Tu’i (second from right) at BDK Drainage in Auckland. They’re shown here with supervisor Nasser (centre) and company owner Di Li (right).

PLUMBING & GASFITTING

■ John Chalken ■ Matiu Patuwai ■ David Hodgson

PLUMBING

■ Rueben Allen Bennett

GASFITTING

■ Matthew Neale ■ Jack Powell New plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentice Jason Bennett is a qualified blocklayer and recently changed direction to learn what he calls a more varied and challenging trade. Jason is shown here with host Darryl McDonald of Kumeu Plumbing, who have been training apprentices for almost 50 years.

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Master Plumbers

P L AT I N U M P A R T N E R S H I P

PLATINUM PARTNER PROFILE

and tabular reports to prove to customers exactly how long the plumber was on site, and the travel required. No conflicts needed!

3. Simple maintenance management

5 WAYS TO TRIM COSTS WITH

GPS FLEET MANAGEMENT

Managing a fleet isn’t cheap—reducing costs is the key to operational efficiency. Costs can mount from vehicles that have missed a service and end up needing urgent repairs; or fines for registrations and WOFs that expired while you weren’t watching. You can use your fleet management software as a maintenance calendar that tracks, records and even alerts you to important tasks. It helps you track vehicle registrations, WOFs, RUC licences, and general servicing, which can be based on actual kilometres travelled, so the hardest working vehicles get serviced in good time.

Many of New Zealand’s small and medium businesses can 4. Curb fines and damage by reducing speeding benefit from automation, as Teletrac Navman explains. When organisations focus on safer driving,

ecent reports from the Productivity Commission have found several benefits of having an increased focus on automating manual processes through digital technologies. For trades businesses, upgrading to AI-enabled GPS fleet management technology lets you better manage your fleet and business. As well as streamlining operations for both staff and customers, and significant timesavings, the technology can also be used to trim costs. Here’s how:

job—especially for rural customers. When it’s your word versus the customer, it can be easier to simply discount the disputed amount to retain a good relationship. However, with accurate data from the vehicle’s second-by-second high-definition GPS data, businesses can provide visual

5. Reduce fuel consumption with mindful driving

1. Trim admin time on jobs

The Teletrac Navman Telematics Benchmark Report 2019 found that operators reported on average a 12.7% reduction in fuel usage after installing a GPS-based fleet tracking system. Use the fleet management system to encourage drivers to reduce speeding, excessive idling, and harsh acceleration and braking. Then watch how the improved driving drops your fuel bill.

When admin time is reduced, staff have more time for strategic initiatives like completing jobs ahead of time or finding new business. Combining telematics with mobility helps your staff populate job invoices and timesheets quickly and accurately. Alongside the driver entered data, each vehicle creates mileage, time and date, and location information. Using electronic forms, your staff get any extra details, such as parts used, and send straight for processing—no more waiting for your drivers to return to base.

2. Evidence to deal with invoice disputes Service businesses deal with customers querying invoices all the time. Common sticking points are how much time is spent on site and whether a regular maintenance job was actually completed. Another is the charge out for kilometres travelled to the

in particular by targeting speeding, you often get the added benefit of significant cost savings. The New Zealand Racing Board, for example, estimated that it saved approximately $44,000 in vehicle damage costs per year across its fleet of 124 vehicles after introducing fleet management software as part of its driver safety policies. Businesses can set up alerts on in-cab devices to warn drivers immediately when they breach a set speed limit, so drivers can correct their speed before they get a ticket.

Above: Teletrac Navman’s cloudbased fleet management software can be accessed on mobile devices.

Teletrac Navman integrates with SmartTrade job management software, giving you better visibility into job progress. Combining telematics with job execution will reduce paperwork and streamline processes for quoting, scheduling, timesheets and invoicing—saving your business time and money.

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Business smarts

ARE YOU A RESPONSIBLE SUPERVISOR? Fool-proof systems and processes are needed to ensure supervision is effective, says Sam Tyson.

ne of our apprentices was all excited because his first 12 months was nearly up, and he would no longer need to be working in the ‘direct presence’ of his supervisor. Direct presence supervision means the supervisor and the supervisee need to be within eyesight and earshot of each other.

Direct, general and broad supervision

ARE YOU A RESPONSIBLE SUPERVISOR?

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5 WAYS TO MOVE YOUR BUSINESS FORWARD

GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A DIGITAL BOOST CAPITAL VS REVENUE nzplumber

I pointed out it’s not a given that on his anniversary date he will automatically move out of the ‘in the presence of’ level and into ‘general’ supervision. His supervisor will need to assess his competency, the type of work he will be doing, the complexity of the work, the location, and the overall risks. I told him he will most likely be switching from ‘in the presence of’ to ‘general’ supervision continuously over another 12 months. “Oh,” he said. General supervision is where the supervisor continues to provide instruction and direction for tasks to be performed, has frequent face-to-face contact, needs to be contactable for assistance or instruction as required, and must test the supervisee’s work prior to commissioning.

The next level up is ‘broad supervision’. This is only suitable for supervisees who have demonstrated an ability to conduct the intended work by themselves. In this situation, the supervisor need only make occasional face-to-face contact but should continue to provide instruction and direction for tasks to be performed, and the supervisor must inspect and test the supervisee’s restricted work prior to commissioning.

Certifier carries the can In all levels of each PGD trade, only a certifier can supervise the relevant restricted work. They must ensure there are good systems and processes in place for carrying out supervision. They can nominate a licensed Certifying or Tradesman PGD tradesperson to perform physical supervision on their behalf, which makes it even more important to have fool-proof systems and processes to ensure supervision is effective. At the end of the day, it is the certifier who always remains ultimately responsible for supervision and the quality of the restricted work.

Keeping it safe Late last year we were called in by newbuild homeowners to connect the LPG gas bottles on site, so they could move in and

Business smarts EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVES

New Climate & Plumbing apprentice Samantha Tuson with her supervisor Heath Sheather.

operate their gas hot water and hob. The reason why we were contacted was because the homeowners had concerns about the gas work that had been carried out as part of the build. The initial gas work had been completed by an exempt gasfitter from another plumbing firm, who was working under the supervision of an independent Certifying Gasfitter who was not in the same business. When the gas work was completed, the homeowners received a gas certificate of compliance and a gas safety certificate that had been signed off by the supervisor/Certifying Gasfitter.

“At the end of the day, it is the certifier who always remains ultimately responsible for supervision and the quality of the restricted work.” SAM TYSON Managing Director, Climate & Plumbing A pressure test was undertaken by our gasfitter prior to connection of the bottles which uncovered a significant gas leak from an uncrimped fitting located within the sealed garage wall. As it turns out, the independent Certifying Gasfitter had provided minimal supervision to the supervisee, and had issued the gas certificates prior to any inspection, testing and commissioning, to a seriously unsafe installation. It is up to you to be a responsible supervisor, to ensure standards of competency and safety are achieved by those you supervise, and it is your legacy that will help build the overall capability of our industry.

About the author: Sam Tyson has been Managing Director of Climate & Plumbing since 2010. She is an active member in the industry and, with a background in strategic business development, shares the knowledge and experience gained from her award-winning business to help others obtain better results in their businesses. Sam is a Director on the national Master Plumbers Board.

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Business smarts HR & WELLBEING

Employee recognition An appreciative culture makes employees feel valued, respected and important to a business, as Lisa Duston explains. How do you recognise your people’s contribution in your business? Most businesses need to do better in acknowledging the work their people carry out, and at Master Plumbers we are developing an Employee Recognition Programme to do just that! The team is taking ownership of the programme, which is being built on their feedback rather than driven from the top. It should not be a tick box exercise that businesses do for the sake of it. So, what is recognition? It’s the feeling of being seen, appreciated and valued. When employees get recognised for a job well done, they go above and beyond to smash their goals. Below are some events that are probably happening each week in your workplace—are you giving them due recognition? Positive feedback from a customer Project completions Professional achievements H&S improvements Staff service anniversaries.

KEREAMA CARMODY Master Plumbers Wellbeing Guy

ANXIETY RELIEF TIPS

Kia ora everyone. I hope your autumn days are going well. I thought I would contribute a few tips to help in these anxious times with changing Covid-19 Alert Levels. When we receive bad news or experience anything that creates anxiety, some of

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When people feel valued at work, they become emotionally invested in their jobs and the business, and tend to stay longer. Recognising them does not have to cost a lot! Here are some ideas: Share ‘wins’ among the team Certificates Thank your team member for Thank you cards a job well done Meal voucher Peer-to-peer shout outs Flowers. Celebrate ‘wins’ with the wider team, as this will encourage others. Present in person at a team meeting Hold a team event or dinner. I’d love to share what Master Plumbers are doing in this space. Contact me if you’d like some help implementing an Employee Recognition programme in your business.

About the author: Lisa Duston is HR Manager at Master Plumbers. Lisa offers HR advice to Master Plumbers’ members at competitive rates. Contact Lisa on 021 245 1704 or email lduston@masterplumbers.org.nz

the physical signs and sensations can include increased heart rate, sweating, shaking, tension, feeling hot, racing mind and nausea. Anxiety is a normal human emotion that puts us into a flight or fight response. Remember, the purpose of anxiety is to drive us to change the situation, or to stop and prepare to tackle the feeling or negative thought head on. It’s always good to talk through the issues that make you anxious with family, friends, partners and work colleagues. Talking helps us to seek out ideas to lessen anxiety, and it helps to hear words of encouragement. Try using this SOS technique: SELF: What am I reacting to? What meaning am I making of this situation? OTHERS: What would this situation look like to someone else? STOP: Take a slow breath. What is the bigger picture? Take a look at the evidence around you. Need to talk? Members of Master Plumbers can get in touch with me on the 0800 Wellbeing Number during normal business hours. More details in the member area of the Master Plumbers website.

wellbeing on tap

Feeling under Pressure? Don’t let your jobs get backed up. Take on an apprentice and secure the future of your business. Call Skills on 0508 SKILLS (754 557) to find out more.

To get ahead in 2021, you can’t just go with the flow, says business coach Daniel Fitzpatrick. AUTHOR: DANIEL FITZPATRICK, NEXT LEVEL TRADIE

oing with the flow will only get you so far. If you really want to get ahead—and build a business that will thrive long term—that requires another level of thinking. Here’s why:

Problem 1

Tradies are ‘busy’ but is it ‘good busy’? We are seeing high demand right now, which is better than scratching around for the

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next job. But being busy brings another set of problems. Problems like more mistakes, your team getting burned out, staff leaving, too many re-dos on jobs, upset customers, or disappearing margins. You might be working big hours, missing out on family time, feeling overwhelmed, and neglecting your health. If you are experiencing this kind of busy, that’s not the good kind. If the price of building a successful business is your family then that price is far too high.

And let’s not forget: busy is only good if you can keep the extra profit.

Problem 2

Uncertainty is the new norm. Nothing is guaranteed. If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that we don’t always know what’s around the corner. Sure, things are good here in NZ. But you’re also probably noticing that prices are going up, it’s harder to get some supplies. Job

Business smarts BUSINESS COACH

scheduling is one big headache you’re never really free from. Not to mention Covid and lockdowns that could pop up again any time. Predictability is hard to find these days. However, the more you can control and anticipate, the less exposed you’ll be—and the more opportunities will be available. Here are some time-honoured principles that will help you keep your business moving forward and ahead of the competition regardless of what happens next. 1) Is there enough oil in the engine? Check oil regularly. Inside the engine of your business, there are a lot of moving parts, and oil is what keeps all the parts running smoothly and not seizing up. Less friction, less stress, less harm. Think of oil as the cash flowing through your day to day business. You need to have enough at all times. If you’ve ever been a little short to pay wages (and most tradies have at some point) you know how stressful it can be. Problem is, when you’re taking on more and more work, cashflow gets a little harder to control—with a lot more cash coming in and cash going out. The risk is you can easily run out of cash to keep operating. This is a huge reason why tradie businesses get into trouble. Make time each week to check cashflow. Good cashflow makes it easier to handle surprises like clients not paying on time, unexpected cost blowouts on jobs, delays, and mistakes. While things are good, you should also be putting money aside every month in a separate account as a cash buffer. This gives you options others won’t have, and the ability to move quickly to take advantage of opportunities to grow. Like buying more gear to meet demand and bringing on new team members and being able to pay them top rates. 2) Put supporting players in the game. Have you checked out that doco on Netflix The Last Dance? It shows the journey of Michael Jordan and the Bulls winning a stunning six NBA championships. Michael Jordan is a superstar. One of the greatest of all time. But in the early years his team couldn’t win a championship until they had the right supporting players, Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr, Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc… One star can’t do everything. You need the best team to win the game. With the right team you can handle the extra workload, maximise the opportunities, and deal with whatever pressure comes your way.

Staff are the backbone of your operations. You need them to be performing at their best, be reliable, accountable. So is your team meeting their full potential? Do they have all the training and skills they need? Are they getting the right guidance and support from you? How strong is your bench, do you have the right advisors to bring into the game when you need them? From the accountant to your debt collector? What about the coach? Do you have a Phil Jackson who can show you the winning plays—or are you trying to work it out on your own? 3) Conduct temperature checks. In this environment, staying in control is the key to a healthy business. The most effective way to do this is to take regular temperature checks. It’s like this: The doctor uses temperature as an indication that you’re unwell. If you have a fever, it’s a sign something needs further investigation. In a tradie business, there are important indicators to check the temperature of the business. Like sales, gross margins, profit, cashbook balance (way more reliable than your bank balance), work booked ahead… to name a few. Keep checking your business to make sure it’s in good shape and fighting fit to take advantage of the opportunities—not sick and slow to move.

to show up like you need to. Burnout will send your business backwards, and you should have a plan to avoid it. 5) Watch the signs. Stay ahead. Stay flexible. Tradies are some of the hardest working people around. This sometimes means they are so busy working that they miss the bigger picture. Some signs are obvious like another lockdown. Others are more subtle like the market seems to be changing, clients are asking for different things. If we’re not paying attention we’ll miss the signs and get caught by surprise with things we didn’t see coming. As business owners we can’t afford to wing it. This is your livelihood, and you have a lot of people relying on you to do it well. So be alert and watching for signs all the time. It won’t mean you get it right every time, but will help you stay in control so that you can make the strategic moves. If you are busy and growing, it’s even more important to find time for high-level thinking. Even 10 minutes a day can make a big difference. If the captain is in the engine room, instead of where he should be—steering the ship—the chances of crashing are higher.

4) To have a better business, make a better you. A business is always a reflection of the business owner(s). Their strengths and weaknesses, the way they think, good or bad, the business will magnify it. So the better you are, the better your business is. Sometimes people need accountability to work on a few hot button issues that would relieve pressure, and to become the best version of themselves as a business owner. Great things to work on with your coach would be: Your mindset and accountability to keep your eye on the prize. Your leadership skills and how to keep your team strong and on the same page. Getting a better handle on managing your time. Learning how to say no instead of overcommitting yourself. Because you can’t work fifteen hours a day and be OK. Life is too short. Hard work is good. But when it gets out of balance, that’s when you’re going to struggle

If you need a mentor to show you how to avoid the rocks, then book a time and let’s chat: https://nextleveltradie.co.nz/nextstep/

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Business smarts INSURANCE ADVICE

It makes sense to cover your ass(ets), says Crombie Lockwood in #2 of our series on the strings you need on your ‘insurance parachute’.

The Master Plumbers Insurance package has five key areas of cover. Perhaps the most important of these—and the one that can easily be taken for granted—is Material Damage. Your property and assets (the physical things your business needs) are covered by the Material Damage policy. The most obvious assets are your tools and equipment. We know that there’s a tendency to take this stuff for granted. It’s not usually until your van is broken into or stolen that you realise just how expensive the gear is to replace. That’s what makes a good Material Damage policy so important for you. In fact, this is as basic as insuring your house. Where would you be without it? But unlike your house, which by and large stays where it is, your tools and equipment are on the move all day, every day. That’s why the Master Plumbers policy provides explicit cover for your gear, ‘anywhere in New Zealand’. Tick. The other common oversight is about cost. Nobody wants to spend money insuring stuff that doesn’t really seem worth it. That’s the next place you can go horribly wrong. The average plumber routinely has over $10k in stock and tools in their van. Ten thousand dollars, minimum—wouldn’t you say that was worth three or four hundred bucks to cover? Tick. Finally, you get back what you put in. When you join the Master Plumbers Insurance programme, you know you’re not going to get into a whole bunch or argie bargie over your claim if things do go wrong. We look after hundreds of plumbers just like you, so we know what works and how to put things right. Tick.

Want to put a tick by your Material Damage cover? Give Master Plumbers Insurance a call on 0800 866 766. And if you need advice or just help with understanding your current insurances, email vaughan.bridges@crombielockwood.co.nz In the next issue, Crombie Lockwood will take you through some ins and outs on insuring your van. You can’t be the man (or woman) in the van if someone nicks it.

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Business smarts DIGITAL SKILLS

GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A DIGITAL BOOST With the Government’s free Digital Boost Skills Training and Support programme available to all small businesses, we talk with plumber Matt Maley about how digital tools can streamline and grow a plumbing company. Matt Maley was inspired to start Dunedinbased iPlumb in 2015 after his home printer stopped working. He discovered it was around the same price to get a new printer as to refill the old cartridges. “The new printer I picked up had a lot of business features and it was there and then I thought, ‘If I’ve got a business printer, I might as well start a business’,” says Matt. iPlumb has since grown to a team of six, consistently growing their revenue year on year. Matt credits the business’s success to his early introduction of technology and digital tools. Using key tools such as Xero, Fergus, Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Outlook, Facebook and the company website, Matt is able to easily send out invoices, manage tasks, market his brand,

engage with customers, and keep on top of business administration. Almost 60 per cent of iPlumb’s business comes from its Facebook page, yet social media is a powerful marketing tool that many plumbing businesses don’t implement. The company has over 2,300 followers on Facebook, which Matt believes wouldn’t be possible without consistently posting visually appealing content. “To attract people to your page, it’s important to have stunning photos. No one wants to look at a thirty dollar tap. They want to look at a $30,000 bath or a $10,000 tap,” he says. “It’s just about being proactive with it. Make sure you’re putting up a couple of posts once or twice a month, and make sure you’re trying to resonate with what the consumer thinks is important.”

ABOUT DIGITAL BOOST The Digital Boost Skills and Training Support programme is designed to encourage small businesses to upskill their digital capability. It has been set up by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in partnership with the private sector. Digital Boost is free for any registered business to sign up. It is a self-paced learning journey, with no assessments, daily Q&A sessions, regular ’fireside chats’ and access to support people. Participants are taken through six categories: digital marketing digital tools small business accounting business insights future technologies. Matt Maley has been a guest speaker at one of the initiative’s digital skills workshops, explaining how he implemented digital technology into his business. “Jump on board because any advice is good advice and there doesn’t seem to be a ‘right way’ to market or do business digitally,” he says.

Matt Maley of iPlumb spoke at one of the Digital Boost workshops about how he implemented digital technology in his business.

Find out more and sign up at www.digitalboost.co.nz

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Business smarts TAX & FINANCE

Is the expenditure capital or revenue? It’s not always straightforward, says Brett Crombie.

recent decision by the Tax Review Authority (TRA) has highlighted the potential cost to businesses when they incorrectly classify capital and revenue expenditure. The case yet again demonstrates that determining the correct classification for tax purposes can be a complicated business.

Why does it matter? A tax deduction is allowed for expenditure that is incurred for the purpose of deriving income. This is called the ‘general permission’. It is the reason why, from a tax perspective, in any given period it is usually beneficial to maximise the expenditure (deductions) and therefore reduce the tax payable. While many business owners have a good understanding of the ‘general permission’

and often seek to apply it with great gusto, somewhat less well understood is another rule called the ‘capital limitation’. The ‘capital limitation’ works to disallow deductions for expenditure of a capital nature. Instead, the accounting method is to create a capital asset and depreciate that asset over time. While this still results in a tax deduction for depreciation, it is spread over several years, which is less appealing for business owners seeking to lower their tax bill.

The recent decision A TRA case decided last December provides a good example of the type of scenarios the Inland Revenue is likely to challenge. In this case, the taxpayer purchased a property and decided to undertake a programme of

work. This was completed over a period of about three years and included an internal refurbishment, the addition of a covered veranda, extension of a deck, additional toilets and the fitout of a container. The total expenditure amounted to $332,071.90 and the taxpayer classified it as repairs and maintenance, deducting it across the three years as it was spent. The taxpayer’s reasoning was that the work was a series of separate and independent repair and maintenance projects rather than a single capital improvement project. Inland Revenue disagreed and disallowed the tax deduction. TRA Judge Sinclair concluded that the work undertaken was a single project, which involved a substantial reconstruction and improvement of the original premises. She

Disclaimer: This is general information only and not intended to be treated as professional advice. It is recommended you seek professional advice before acting.

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How does this apply to plumbing and related businesses? Take the example of a digger with a blown engine. If you replace the engine with an equivalent engine, it does not change the nature of the digger, so the full cost of the replacement engine will be expensed as ‘repairs and maintenance’ in the year it is installed. However, what if you decide to upgrade the machine with a new hydraulic attachment to improve the capabilities of the machine? Given that the ‘character’ of the digger

found that because the project was capital in nature, the expenditure was also capital in nature and therefore not deductible for income tax. Penalties for taking an Unacceptable Tax Position were upheld.

Guidance Fortunately, over the years there have been a number of court decisions and Inland Revenue interpretation statements that can be used by business owners to avoid getting on the wrong side of an Inland Revenue challenge. Like many areas of tax law, the correct classification of capital or revenue is found by considering the particular circumstances of the case rather than through any rigid test. However, there are some guiding principles business owners can follow to prevent obvious blunders:

has changed, the cost of the new attachment is likely to be a capital cost and should therefore be depreciated over several years rather than expensed in the year it is installed. Every scenario will be a bit different, but plumbers with good advisors on call and a reasonable understanding of the difference between capital and revenue expenditure are better placed to make tax-effective business decisions and avoid wrangles with Inland Revenue.

1. Is there a connection between the expenditure and the income being derived? If not, go no further—the expenditure cannot be deducted. 2. What is the nature and extent of the work done to the asset? If the work done has changed the character of the asset, it is more likely to be capital in nature.

About the author: Brett Crombie is a Chartered Accountant, qualified lawyer and former Inland Revenue tax investigator. He is the owner of Straightedge Accounting, which provides tax, accounting and business advisory services. Contact Brett on 021 301 022 or email brett.crombie@straightedge.nz

Licensed Plumber/ Gasfitter needed Want to be recognised for a job well done and be part of a team environment? Come and join Osborne Plumbing & Gas Ltd, t/a Laser Plumbing Grey Lynn. Servicing Greater Auckland, 24/7, we specialise in reactive maintenance work, alterations and additions. Our team work hard and enjoy socialising too. We’re looking for a Licensed Plumber and/or Licensed Plumber/Gasfitter Tradesman, Certified or 3-4th Year Apprentice. You must be able to work by yourself and troubleshoot. Role includes: uniform, stocked van, competitive rates. Must have relevant NZ work visa, current plumbing licence, be well presented and keen to work. Contact Sarah Bowie on 027 335 3253 or call 0800 WE PLUMB. Check us out on Facebook, Instagram or Google.

The cost to place a classified advertisement is $60+GST for Master Plumbers members; $100+GST for non-members. Email advertising@ masterplumbers.org.nz

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Career starters

EYES ON THE PRIZE Ryan Chalmers has just begun a plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeship—and becoming the very first Greens Tapware Scholarship winner has been a useful kickstart to his promising career.

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A Masterlink apprentice, Ryan Chalmers is hosted by Matthews Plumbing & Gasfitting in Auckland. He’s shown here with boss Chris Matthews.

Career starters APPRENTICE PROFILE

dentical twins Ryan and Liam Chalmers have a dream to run their own plumbing business some day. At just 16, the Auckland-based brothers both recently embarked on plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting apprenticeships, completing their block courses at Unitec. Born and bred in Hobsonville, the pair are keen fishermen and spend much of their spare time at their family’s campground unit at Orewa, going fishing in the family’s 5m boat. A real outdoors type, Ryan also enjoys hunting or getting out in his 4-wheel truck. Ryan says he has always known he wanted to be a tradesman on the tools and credits his dad as an inspiration. “My father is someone who can do anything from building to working on cars, and he has shown me you can do anything if you try.” In 2019, at 14, he and Liam completed a pre-trade carpentry course through their high school, with Ryan going on to complete the one-year Skills Plumbing Gateway Programme. This saw him spending one day a week at Matthews Plumbing and Gasfitting in the Auckland suburb of Te Atatu South for a year, and he says it confirmed his career choice. “I knew plumbing was the sort of thing I would enjoy and it really suits me,” he says. He impressed his employers Chris and Haley Matthews so much that they offered him a Masterlink apprenticeship, starting this January. “His enthusiasm and smarts were always going to shine through,” says Chris. “He showed us he really wanted to be a plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer and he fitted into our tight family team well, bringing us to 4.5 on the tools and 2.5 in the office.” When Ryan learned of the $2,000 Greens Tapware Scholarship, available to new apprentices within three months of their employment by Masterlink or Master Plumbers member businesses, he jumped at the chance to apply—and was thrilled to learn he’d become the very first recipient of this new award. “With my brother and I starting plumbing apprenticeships, my parents have had to come up with money for both of us,” he says. “Winning this scholarship means I could pay them back.” The judging panel were impressed by Ryan’s academic success at NCEA Levels 1 and 2, despite the setbacks of Covid-19 lockdowns, by his friendly, outgoing manner, his great work ethic and his drive and determination to enter a trades career. No stranger to hard work, Ryan had spent his school holidays in various customer-facing and supporting roles in local businesses,

ABOUT THE GREENS TAPWARE SCHOLARSHIP Greens Tapware Scholarships are awarded by Master Plumbers on behalf of Greens Tapware, who generously support plumbing apprenticeships with a donation from the sale of each product in the Greens Vantage range going towards the scholarship fund. To be eligible, apprentices must apply within three months from the start date of their apprenticeship with Masterlink or a Master Plumbers member business. Each scholarship winner receives $2,000. Find out more at masterplumbers.org.nz/about/apprenticeships/scholarships-greens

Ryan is the very first recipient of a $2,000 Greens Tapware Scholarship. He officially accepted his award from Greens Global National Sales Manager Mark Lunjevich this March during a filming session to promote the Scholarship—watch the video at bit.ly/GreensGrant

including a spell at a local fishing store and as a kitchen hand at a hunting lodge. Three months in to his apprenticeship, Ryan says he’s loving the range of work at Matthews Plumbing and Gasfitting and enjoys working with the other tradesmen and the friendships that come from that.

“I’ve learned a lot in a short period of time, mainly going around with my team mate Mascht, who gets me to do simple tasks likes running pipes, crimping and digging trenches. It was definitely the right decision to leave school and start a plumbing apprenticeship—no regrets, I love it.”

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“Always ask why something is being done—not just how it’s done.” GRAHAM FISHER Estimator, Clyne & Bennie

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Career starters JOB OPTIONS

I could be...

A PLUMBING ESTIMATOR

Plumbing estimators work through tenders and gather all the information needed to ensure each build complies. We talk to Graham Fisher and Martin de Gouw at Clyne & Bennie about the skills needed for the role and how to get there. AUTHOR: KERRIE MORGAN

bout 15 years ago, Graham Fisher was just starting out as a plumbing apprentice at Clyne & Bennie in Christchurch. Learning as much as he could on job sites, asking questions and making connections, Graham quickly moved into the world of commercial plumbing. These days, in his role as company Estimator, Graham is mostly office-based, receiving tenders and working through them, meticulously managing deadlines and collecting all of the minutiae needed to ensure no stone is left unturned when it comes to build details. At any given time, he could have two to three jobs on the go— and sometimes as many as five or six. It’s no surprise that this role requires a high level of organisation—and a cool head.

Relationship building “I often make site visits, especially for smaller jobs,” explains Graham. “Just this week I have been out twice to meet with the builders. Sometimes there is information on the draft you just can’t work out; then you spend 10 or 15 minutes on site and everything clicks into place. Most communication happens over email, so being able to catch up in person is really good.”

Having worked his way from apprentice to company estimator at Clyne & Bennie, Graham Fisher has the broad plumbing knowledge needed for the job.

Meeting face-to-face to discuss issues or details regarding a build also helps strengthen relationships and establish good communication skills, something both Graham and Clyne & Bennie Managing Director Martin de Gouw agree is really important when trying to further your career and learn more about the industry. They also say that—outside of information gathering, good communication and general plumbing experience—computer skills are the most important for an estimator to obtain.

Computer skills “The computer skills required for this role go beyond being able to browse the web and use social media,” explains Martin. “You need to be able to structure documents and emails correctly, use PDF editors and drawing programmes and do video conferencing. We use all of these every day in the office.” Graham stresses how important it is to learn why things are done a certain way. His advice to apprentices is to always ask why something is being done—not just how it’s done—and what the process was to get to a certain point in a build or on a project. This additional knowledge can go a long way in furthering a career beyond working on the tools. Training for an estimator role begins with learning the required computer skills and building confidence through trial and error, explains Graham. “It takes a few years to get really confident,” he says. “It’s a bit terrifying

when you first start out!” Reading and understanding drawings is also a good place to start, as this is a key focus for an estimator.

Recommended training Master Plumbers runs a training course for estimators, which Martin recommends as being valuable for those starting out in the job. “Plumbers underestimate their worth in a lot of projects,” says Martin. “They’re leaving a lot of value behind at the quoting and variation stage of the project, and this training offers some consistency around how plumbers manage these processes.” He points out that, whilst a trained quantity surveyor may have a wealth of broad estimation knowledge, they often don’t have specific plumbing experience. As a result, training people in-house to do plumbing estimation is a better option and most plumbing companies do exactly that.

Job satisfaction As Graham explains, the estimator role has its challenges. From collating information for different people and teams within the company, to project management and ensuring a build is compliant with the latest regulations, it’s a role that really keeps him on his toes. “The challenge of information-gathering can be frustrating at times,” he says. “But that’s also the part I enjoy most: putting the pieces of the puzzle together. It’s satisfying when you put something out at the end, knowing you haven’t left any gaps.”

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Career starters SKILLS UPDATE

There is no immediate impact for employers or apprentices, as the new system won’t take effect until December 2022.

REVIEW OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION An update from Skills on progress for the Review of Vocational Education (RoVE)—and what you need to know.

n 2019, the Government announced a Reform of Vocational Education. These are the biggest reforms of New Zealand’s Vocational Education system in 30 years. The system changes propose that New Zealand will end up with a strong, unified, sustainable vocational education system fit for future work, delivering the skills that learners, employers and communities need to thrive. A key impact of these changes that employers and apprentices in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industries need to be aware of is the disestablishment of Industry Training Organisations (Skills being one of them). What this means is that the functions normally delivered by Skills will be moved across into the newly formed Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) and the training provider network. The transition period for this will run through until December 2022, allowing time for the new system to be set up and implemented. Skills is now working closely with the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to support the set-up of the WDCs, which should be operational by October this year. This will see the qualification, standard setting and quality assurance functions,

“The functions normally delivered by Skills will be moved across into the newly formed Workforce Development Councils and the training provider network.” 082

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normally delivered by Skills, handed over to the new Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council. If you are interested in or want to be a part of the WDC governance structure, keep a close eye on the TEC website for more information. In addition, the handover of apprenticeship delivery is currently underway to ensure that from January 2023 all apprenticeship activity is fully managed by the provider network.

To find out more, head to the TEC website: www.tec.govt.nz

So, what does this mean for you? There is no immediate impact for employers or apprentices, and Skills will continue to be your partner in apprenticeships and training support. You’ll still be dealing with the same friendly faces and same processes for apprenticeship management that you’ve always dealt with, until December 2022 when the new system takes over. While Skills may no longer be an industry training organisation, we’re broadening our horizons and the future is bright—and you’ll come to know us as the Skills Consulting Group. This means that we’ll be able to provide a wider range of services to industry and employers both now and in the future. The new services you’ll be able to tap into include workplace wellbeing, learning & development consulting, as well as leadership and sales training plus much more.

To find out more about the Skills Consulting Group, visit www.skillsconsultinggroup.co.nz

“I can see exactly how much each job costs me and how much profit I am making per job. I like the fact I can quickly look through previous jobs and customers and see how much work I have done for them.”

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And finally...

10 MINUTES WITH...

Graeme Lowen We talk to keen motorcyclist and hobby photographer Graeme Lowen. AUTHOR: SAM DAY

ell us a bit about yourself and your work. I am a self-employed plumber and drainlayer based in Winton in central Southland. I’ve been in plumbing since 1976 and have been out on my own since 1981, mainly focussing on domestic plumbing and repairs for existing builds. During my first 20 years of self-employment I employed three apprentices. I still do enjoy working as part of a team on a larger job but am equally comfortable working on my own.

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10 MINUTES WITH…

How did your interest in motorbikes start? I’ve been into motorcycles since I was teenager and have owned various bikes of doubtful reliability. My first bike was a 1952 Matchless 500 cc single with a worn-out magneto, which made it

difficult to kick start, as the spark was not that strong to fire up the engine at times. The best one I bought was a 1989 1500 cc Honda Goldwing in 1999. It had real headlights, was quiet running, and started every time I hit the starter button. It was eventually pressed into sidecar service, although I used to take it off and ride it solo, completing a number of endurance rides like 1,000 miles in 24 hours. What’s your most memorable endurance ride? One of my best rides occurred in 2005 on a BMW Adventure ride running from Blenheim to Cromwell with over 90 Adventure road bikes over four days and mostly via backroads. We could not go everywhere the Adventure bikes went but there was always an alternative route for us.

And finally... ON THE SIDE

Graeme crossing the Okuku River west of Christchurch on a BMW Adventure from Blenheim to Cromwell. Graeme is riding pillion with Andrew Lowen as driver.

Tell us about your involvement with the Brass Monkey Rally. The Brass Monkey Rally is a motorcycle rally held in central Otago in the middle of winter. Apart from being cold, it was a challenge for me to get my bike to the site and then back home again. As for the gathering itself, it was always about getting there initially then wandering around the site looking at the machinery and talking to riders. It was often a case of: “You rode that from where?” Some people rode small bikes incredible distances. Everyone has a story to tell about their trials and tribulations with a bike just like yours, and at times you could learn more than you wanted to hear! What about your photography? I’ve been into photography since the days of the ubiquitous Kodak Instamatic of the 1960s. When I started to motorcycle in America in 2009, I was told by a fellow rider to carry the camera on you at all times when you get off your bike. Thus, it came to be that I rode with it slung around my neck, using it as I saw fit even while riding across the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah at 100 mph—I had to take a photo of the speedo!

“It is when I emerge wet and muddy from under a floor that I know why I ride a motorcycle,” says Graeme.

Got an interesting hobby, sport or talent? We’d love to hear from you. Email the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz

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And finally... DODGY PLUMBING

Sent in a photo and haven’t seen it yet? Please bear with us as we work our way through all the entries!

Dangerous mistakes Steve Purcell of Purcell’s Plumbing & Drainage recently came across two of these dangerous setups at the KatiKati Primary School admin block. “It was refurbished in 1997 and they have been in use ever since,” he says. Both were in cupboards with screwed access panels. “This valve must not be installed in the vertical vent pipe from the cylinder. It must be installed in the branch off to the side, so the cylinder can vent if it boils or such. These installs could have led to large explosions. Another instance of unsupervised work, I guess, as whoever did it did not know the regulations.”

Gas no-no Thanks to Peter Jackson Plumbing for sending in this photo of some dodgy gasfitting, showing a continuous flow gas hot water unit right next to a house window.

Sometimes funny, sometimes serious…

A sorry collection Some West Coast wonders encountered by Jason Johnson from Jeff Evans in Hokitika. Send your dodgy photos to the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz. The bigger the file, the larger we can show it on the page. 086

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NZ Plumber April-May 2021

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