RETENTION MONEY CHANGES
What you need to know
14
Progress here & across the ditch
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Volume 75, Number 3
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Subcontractors have been waiting a long while for better protection of their retention money.
There’s finally some good news for businesses who work as subcontractors on large construction projects.
We’ve all read about construction company failures—Mainzeal, Ebert, Armstrong Downes Commercial to name a few—and some readers will have had first-hand experience of the fallout when they go under.
Subcontractors can end up seriously out of pocket, owed all the retention money that was held back by the head contractor until project completion.
The problem lies in the fact that head contractors have been able to ‘comingle’ retention money with their ordinary cashflow, making it extremely hard for subcontractors to claim their share if the construction company goes into liquidation.
That’s all about to change on 5 October, when an amendment to the Construction Contracts Act comes into force. From this date, head contractors will have to hold retention monies in a separate retentions account and there will be reporting requirements plus fines for non-compliance.
businesses, employees and apprentices at the 2023 New Zealand Plumbing Awards in May. We bring you plenty of coverage of the winners this edition, with a full profile of Devine Plumbing—2023 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year—on page 40. There’s also an in-depth look at the heartwarming Project of the Year on page 54, and find out more about the Product of the Year—the innovative K-Valve from MM Brands—on page 66.
Plus, we talk to two of the Plumbing World Scholarship apprentice winners, Andrew Smith (page 81) and Sebastian Sekene. Sebastian appears in our regular Day in the Life column, so it was great to chat with him about his first conference experience for this one (see page 85).
Look out for more award-winner profiles in upcoming editions.
Congratulations all!
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.
This new regime offers far more protection for subcontractors and it’s something Master Plumbers has fought long and hard for, together with the Specialist Trade Contractors Federation. Find out what’s changed and what subcontractors need to know in our feature article on page 14.
In other good news, our industry acknowledged excellence across
Beverly Sellers Editor, NZ Plumber, bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini Success is not the work of an individual, but the work of many
31 Member benefit Safety on site with the Master Plumbers H&S App
32 Bulletin Achieving Toitū certification, introducing new Board member Nick Paris and congratulating Membership Milestone recipients
36 Obituary: John DeBernardo Farewelling an industry great
38 Out and about Branch and Association events, including postcyclone support
40 ON THE COVER Perfectly Devine Meet Cam Devine of Devine Plumbing, 2023 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year
44
100 years young Member business FB Hall celebrates its centenary
47 Platinum Partner profile Get to the root of plumbing business challenges with Teletrac Navman
48 Masterlink messageboard Winners, milestones and new appointments to the team
This magazine is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing, within one month of publication, to the editor’s email address. If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council PO Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143; info@mediacouncil.org.nz. Or use the online complaint form at www.mediacouncil.org.nz
Please include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication.
81 Winning streak Masterlink apprentice and Plumbing World Scholarship winner Andrew Smith
84 Passion for mentoring apprentices Te Pūkenga talks with PGD Programme Manager Peter McGlone
85 In a big man’s world Apprentice Sebastian Sekene’s plumbing conference experience
86 10 minutes with... Plumber and ice hockey manager Dave Richards
88 Dodgy plumbing Shocking, crazy, and just plain wrong!
COVER STORY
Team work is dream work at Devine Plumbing in Napier, the 2023 winner of the New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award for business excellence. Cam Devine set up Devine Plumbing with his father Mike 10 years ago, and it’s gone from a team of three to the current 25. With a trusted office team around him—including 2023 Jackson Women in Plumbing Award winner Mandy Burgess— Cam does what he loves best: getting out on the tools with the company’s tradespeople and apprentices. Devine Plumbing has secured a strong reputation in Hawke’s Bay and is a big supporter of the local community‚ jumping straight into action to help when Cyclone Gabrielle hit. Meet Cam and the team on page 40.
Firstly, I’d like to thank the Master Plumbers team, our members and Business Partners for the outstanding conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch. We’re so pleased with the member engagement at the event, which culminated in the New Zealand Plumbing Awards and the celebration of our industry leaders for 2023.
I particularly want to congratulate Cam Devine and Mandy Burgess from Devine Plumbing in Napier, recipients of the 2023 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award and the Jackson Women in Plumbing Award. They are amazing representatives of a business that focuses on its team culture and local Hawke’s Bay community. This is a wonderful achievement for their team.
Also from the Hawke’s Bay region is James Douglas Medallion winner Tyson Kihi. Tyson is an outstanding young man, who made the bold decision to change careers for his own and his family’s benefit.
We made some changes to this year’s conference format, including more participatory panels. We’re very happy with what this delivered and, as ever, we will be looking at ways to enhance the content and delivery for next year’s event at Tākina Wellington Convention Centre.
You’ll see on page 14 the Construction Contracts Act amends will be passed into law this October. As part of the Specialist Trade Contractors Federation, Master Plumbers is very supportive of this change. Ultimately, the money held in any retention fund needs to be secured for subcontractors and protected by law.
The fines for companies and directors under the new regime should be a strong deterrent to non-compliance for head contractors. I still believe no retentions are the best option, but it will be up to individual companies to negotiate the best terms for each contract.
The government has announced the extension to the Apprenticeship Boost scheme until December 2024. Master Plumbers has advocated for this extension for some time, so we welcome this positive outcome. If Labour is reelected, it has committed to extending the scheme indefinitely.
The Apprenticeship Boost means employers will receive $12,000 in government funding for every new apprentice they employ.
Although all three trades of plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are now on the immigration Green List, in the year to date, only 35 applications have been received by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board for recognition of overseas licences. What this proves is that we are only going to rectify skills shortages by training more apprentices.
The Apprenticeship Boost means employers will receive $12,000 in government funding for every new apprentice they employ. As an employer of apprentices, Masterlink applies for
this funding and arranges for it to be paid directly to eligible host employers.
Finally, the Climate Change Commission’s second draft report to the government has suggested a limited restriction on new gas connections. Master Plumbers have provided feedback to the Commission on their proposals, but we believe their position is naïve, given that the gas industry is proposing to transition to carbon-neutral fuels. This has been supported by government with $100 million funding of the hydrogen research project in Southland—$43 million of this in the first four years.
Why would New Zealand not look at a gas resource that was carbon neutral and able to provide alternatives to the current electrification option? Dr Grant Bourke of Rinnai noted at the conference that New Zealand would need another 22 Clyde Dams if we were to electrify everything. We all know that with the current Resource Management Act, the cost to facilitate these is not a realistic option for the New Zealand economy.
We need to be working with gas providers to fast track the transition to renewable gases and have bipartisan support for this endeavour.
Greg Wallace, CEO Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ
If the roots of the tree are not watered, the tree will not grow
Check out a new set of free Building Belonging resources to help trade employers develop management, leadership and soft skills.
Resources include a podcast, web series and interactive training modules, covering subjects such as recruitment, retention, gender diversity, sexual harassment, becoming a better people manager, and practical lessons in literacy and numeracy.
A joint initiative by Waihanga Ara Rau and BCITO | Te Pūkenga, the resources are funded by the TEC Covid Recovery Project. Find the resources at www.waihangaararau. nz/for-industry/employer-resources and at tradecareers.co
Other members include the World Health Organization, World Vision and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. At the UN 2023 Water Conference, held in New York in March, the consortium presented a Global Pledge to Protect Drinking Water From Lead.
The pledge highlights actions to eliminate the use of lead-leaching pipes and componentry in new drinking water systems and to improve the monitoring and remediation of existing systems. Exposure to lead in childhood or during pregnancy can cause lifelong harm. Yet, according to the consortium, globally, 800 million children— or roughly one in three—have elevated levels of lead in their blood.
“In order for water and sanitation resources to be sustainable, there must be a strong local industry to support it,” said World Plumbing Council Chair Tom Bigley. “This is why skilled labour must be a part of the solution in helping to deliver clean water free from lead and other contaminants.
“We look forward to working with industry associations worldwide to support better design and governance of water and sanitation systems and to advance education and training of workers critical to providing lead-free drinking water.”
The consortium is inviting governments, private sector, manufacturers, suppliers, financial institutions, philanthropic organisations and individuals to join the Lead Pledge at www.globalleadfreewater.org
New Zealand is transitioning to lead-free plumbing products, with a revised Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 to be published this November.
From 1 September 2025, any product that contains copper alloy and is intended for use in contact with potable water for human
consumption used for compliance with G12/AS1 will have to have a weighted average lead content of no more than 0.25%.
Australia recently pushed its transition date out by eight months to 1 May 2026 and New Zealand may follow suit.
New CEO for Simpro
Simpro, a total business management software for commercial and residential trade service businesses, has appointed Gary Specter as Chief Executive Officer. Specter brings over 30 years of leadership experience to the role, with a strong operational and transformational track record at customerfocused organisations.
“Gary Specter is a dynamic, growth-driven leader with proven success in building strong teams, driving revenue and exceeding financial and customer expectations,” said Bruce Gordon, Executive Chairman of Simpro. “He possesses the qualifications and expertise to lead Simpro into its next stage of success.”
Specter has served in leadership roles at Adobe, Magento, NetSuite and IBM. Immediately prior to joining Simpro, Specter served as President at Cart.com. While in this leadership role, he was instrumental in increasing revenue to over $200m in ARR.
Specter chose Simpro because of the direct impact they have on simplifying field service management and helping trade contracting businesses find clarity in the chaos. With more than 200,000 users working in commercial and residential trades worldwide, Simpro allows field services businesses to gain control of the entire customer lifecycle from initial contact to final payment and is the tool they count on to improve business efficiency and make smarter decisions.
“I’m extremely excited to join Simpro,” Specter said. “I am coming on board at an exciting time in the company’s journey. My goal is to build on the strong foundation of the company and lead Simpro to the next level.”
Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer Selwyn Hikuroa was appointed to the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board in May, replacing Ken Douglas, who stepped down after eight years of service. Selwyn has worked with training providers in New Zealand and Australia, including RMIT University in Melbourne and CPIT in Christchurch.
Submissions closed in May on the government’s proposal to reduce building levy costs.
The building levy is paid by owners or developers on successful building consent applications for any projects worth over a prescribed threshold—currently $20,444. Councils collect the levy and retain a 3% fee for administrative costs.
MBIE is proposing to change the Building Levy threshold to $65,000, which would reduce the number of levy payers by around 36%. It is also proposing a reduction in the Building Levy rate from $1.75 to $1.48 per $1,000 of building work value, which would reduce the cost of a building consent over the proposed new threshold by around 15% for all levy payers.
“Over time, a significant surplus has built up from the Building Levy despite reducing the rate previously in an attempt to reduce this balance,” says Anna Cook, General Manager Building System Performance. “However, the recent unprecedented levels of building activity and noticeable cost increases over the last few years have meant the surplus continued to grow.”
In its submission on the proposals, Master Plumbers said the surplus could be better used elsewhere—such as funding New Zealand participation in joint Standards for the construction industry. The participation fee is set by Standards Australia and is expensive.
“The fee to participate in gas installation standard AS/NZS 5601 was $80,000,” says Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace, noting the time-consuming effort it takes to negotiate funding for New Zealand representatives to be part of the development of these joint Standards.
If New Zealand chooses not to pay to participate, the resulting Standards will be developed solely for Australian conditions and may lack relevance here. “Master Plumbers would prefer MBIE to prioritise funding participation fees over increasing the levy payment threshold, as the surplus fund of the building levy is one of the only sources of funds that could be fairly used to cover the cost of these participation fees,” says Wallace.
Announcements in Budget 23 of relevance to our industry:
$17.1 million – new funding to extend Apprenticeship Boost until the end of 2024.
$100 million – funding to deliver the Regional Hydrogen Transition, starting with Southland.
$400 million – funding for 100,000 additional heating and insulation retrofits under Warmer Kiwi Homes over next four years.
$6 billion – initial funding for a National Resilience Plan to build back with greater resilience following the recent Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, including future proofing road, rail and local infrastructure.
Westpac expects construction activity to remain firm throughout 2023, partly due to reconstruction work following the recent storms.
Similarly, a Master Plumbers’ State of the Sector survey of its members this March showed that around 70% of respondents expect their business’s situation to be the same or better in 12 months’ time.
This, despite just over half (52%) of respondents also expecting the New Zealand economy to be moderately worse in a year’s time, and Westpac also predicting a downward trend in new home building.
“As we’ve highlighted before, financial conditions in the construction sector have become a lot tougher,” said Westpac Senior Economist Satish Ranchhod in March. “Operating costs for construction
firms have skyrocketed over the past year, rising by around 12%. On top of that, interest rates have risen to their highest levels in more than a decade. At the same time, existing house prices have tumbled, dropping by 17% across the country. Those factors mean that prospective buyers are reluctant to purchase off the plan, while developers are increasingly hesitant to bring new projects to market.”
Martin Veitch of BDO Christchurch, one of the participants on the State of the Sector discussion panel at the 2023 NZ Plumbing Conference, advises businesses to stay well informed in the coming headwinds, when good cashflow management will be key. “Understand your overhead structure, your costings and margins, watch your owner drawings and cut unnecessary expenditure,” he said.
The Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023 (the SCV Act) passed into law in early June. The SCV Act amends the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006, establishing the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board as the regulator of the selfcontained vehicle regulatory system.
The Board’s role will include appointing certification authorities (individuals and organisations who will offer self-containment certification services), setting guidance on regulations to be made by the Government, and establishing and maintaining the national register of self-contained vehicles.
The Board will be operational in its role at the time the relevant provisions in the SCV Act come into force (likely 7 December 2023) and will be able to accept applications from certification authorities then.
Chief Executive Aleyna Hall says that, as well as setting the necessary guidance and establishing the national register, the Board will carefully consider the complaints and disciplinary process. “We will set up a robust system for complaints, similar to what we already have for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers.”
It’s all cisterns go for the 2023 Plumbing World Young Plumber of the Year competition! Tuesday 20 June saw the first quick-fire branch qualifier event in Invercargill followed by Queenstown and Wanaka/ Cromwell, with 29 more to follow around New Zealand.
The branch winners will go on to compete in eight Regional Finals during September and October, taking part in challenging practical tests of their skills and theory. The regional winners and two wildcard entrants will then fight it out at the national final in Hamilton in November.
A prize pool worth over $80,000 is on offer throughout and includes tools from Milwaukee and Toolware, cash prizes, clothing, equipment, plus a trip for two to Port Douglas for the national winner as part of the Plumbing World Overseas Trips programme.
The competition recognises plumbing industry excellence and nurtures talent to ensure a well plumbed New Zealand now and into the future. It’s open to apprentices and qualified plumbers under the age of 31.
Entry is free: go to ypc.co.nz
Find the event timeline at https://youngplumbersclub.co.nz/ young-plumber-of-the-year/timeline/#branch-qualifiers
Heart-warming support for some great causes.
Rheem has partnered with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) as a Platinum Sponsor for the next three years. Rheem HR Manager Jessica Bensley was a key advocate for getting on board, having always worked in traditionally maledominated industries. A mother of four daughters, one of whom is an apprentice automotive spray painter, Jessica says she doesn’t want her daughters to have any barriers to work. “It shouldn’t matter what gender you are, and I just want to educate and help people realise that it’s not a big taboo that women should be doing these roles.”
Master Plumbers and Masterlink staff dressed in pink to mark Pink Shirt Day in May, showing their support for this anti-bullying initiative. Now in its 16th year and adopted around the world, Pink Shirt Day is about making all people feel safe, valued and respected, regardless of age, ability, religion, cultural background, gender identity or sexual orientation. Donations support the Mental Health Foundation to supply resources, fund workshops and raise awareness about bullying prevention.
Team Plumber Dan ‘smoked’ their personal $20,000 fund-raising target for the 2023 Pork Pie Charity Run. The annual six-day adventure sees 50 teams driving their Minis 2,500km from Paihia to Invercargill in aid of KidsCan—with this year’s event raising a total of over $410,000!
Plumber Dan director Daniel Goldsworthy and his uncle David McBeth braved the elements in their customised open-top Mini, fortunately only hitting one day of rain as they arrived in Whanganui. Dan says the event always sells out in minutes, so he was stoked to be part of the action again this year. On previous runs, he’s driven a double-ended Mini and another a low Stretch V6 Mini. What will he think of next?
If you work as a subcontractor on commercial or residential contracts, you need to know about a new scheme to better protect your retention money. Find out more in this Q&A from Duncan Cotterill.
Parliament recently passed the Construction and Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Act 2023, which strengthens and clarifies the retention money scheme in the Construction Contracts Act 2002 (CCA). The new regime comes into force on 5 October 2023 and you will need to ensure your retention money processes comply with the updated procedures. The new regime will apply to contracts entered into or amended after that date.
Q: What is retention money?
A: Retention money is an amount held back from a payment made under a construction contract. It is usually a percentage of the amount payable of each installment. It is generally held to ensure a contractor performs all its obligations under the contract and is then released either on practical completion or after the end of a defects notification period.
If there are retention monies for a project, the monies need to be held for each contract that refers to retentions.
For example, if there is a retention in the head contract between the owner and the head contractor and a retention in the head contract between the head contractor and the subcontractor, both the owner and the head contractor need to hold the specified retention. Think of it as a layer cake…
You will most likely be in the situation where the head contractor or owner is holding retentions against you, as opposed to you holding retentions against your subcontractors or suppliers. This article therefore covers the rights that you will have in relation to retentions being held in relation to your contracts with head contractors or owners—so you are Party B for the purposes of the below. However, if you are holding retentions against your subcontractors and suppliers, you will need to comply with the obligations on Party A, as set out below.
For the purposes of this article:
Party A = you are holding retentions against your subcontractors and suppliers.
Party B = your retentions are being held in relation to your contracts with head contractors or owners.
Q: The new regime applies to commercial contracts. I only carry out residential work, so does this mean the new regime doesn’t apply to me?
A: Whilst the new regime states that it applies to commercial contracts only, if you are a subcontractor engaged by a contractor on a residential project, you are deemed to have a commercial contract. This is because you, as subcontractor, have entered into a subcontract with the contractor and this is a commercial relationship. If you have been engaged directly by the individual homeowner (not a developer), then the regime will not apply.
Q: How do retention monies need to be held?
A: Retention monies will either have to be held in a bank account or be the subject of a suitable financial instrument (such as insurance or a payment bond). Given the difficulties of obtaining insurance and bonds, the vast majority of retentions will be held in a bank account. There is no obligation for Party A to have a separate bank account for each retention/ subcontractor so a head contractor/ owner can just have one retentions account for all its projects and subcontractors.
If there is one global retentions account, Party A must have accounting records in the form of separate ledgers identifying each subcontractor it is holding retention money for and the subcontract to which it relates.
The new regime imposes specific requirements in relation to retention accounts:
the account must be solely used for the purpose of retention money; and
Party A must ensure the bank is aware the account is a trust account for the purposes of holding retention money.
Q: Are retention monies held on trust?
A: Under the new regime, a trust is created automatically—there is no need for any explicit intention of Party A to hold the money on trust. The funds will only cease to be trust property when they are paid to Party B, used to remedy defects (after Party B has been given notice of the intention to use the funds for that purpose), or Party B otherwise gives up its claim to the funds.
Q: I find it difficult to get information about my retentions from head contractors/ owners. Will the new regime change this?
A: The new regime introduces compulsory reporting obligations, which means Party A will have to proactively provide subcontractors with information in relation to their retentions. You will no longer have to ask the head contractor/ owner to provide this information—they will have to provide it.
The reporting obligations start from the time retention money is first held (or as soon as practicable) and then continue at least every three months thereafter until the retention monies are released.
This 3-month period runs from when the retention was first held, so there will be different reporting dates for different retentions. If you are holding retentions for suppliers/ subcontractors, it may be sensible to include these reporting obligations as part of your monthly payment schedules.
Although this means you will be reporting more often than is required under the new regime, it will avoid you being in breach of your reporting obligations by missing a date and, once set up, is likely to be less of an administrative burden.
The information to be provided by Party A must include:
the most recent amount withheld, the relevant construction contract, and the date of the retention
the total amount of retention money held by Party A for Party B if held in a bank account, the name of the bank and branch, the name of the account, the name of Party B’s ledger (if the account has separate ledgers), and the total balance held for Party B if using an insurance policy or bond, the name of the issuer, sufficient information to identify the instrument (such as a policy number), and the protected amount.
Q: What happens if you do not comply with the new regime?
A: The new regime includes penalties for non-compliance. These penalties include: failure to keep retention monies as required—up to $200,000 fine
failure to keep proper accounting and other records—up to $50,000 fine failure to provide regular reports on retention money—up to $50,000 fine.
The above fines apply on a breach-by-breach basis and are cumulative so, if an entity fails to comply with the new regime in relation to five different subcontracts, the fines will be multiplied by five.
Importantly the new regime also imposes penalties on individual directors so, if Party A is a company, each director can also be fined up to $50,000 per offence.
Q: Who enforces the new regime?
A: Compliance will be monitored and enforced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). MBIE will have powers to obtain information and issue warrants and there will be new offences for obstructing their investigation.
Q: How does the new regime help if Party A goes into receivership or liquidation?
A: If Party A is placed into either receivership or liquidation, the receiver or liquidator will hold the retention money on trust and must deal with it in the same way Party A was required to. The receiver/ liquidator will be able to deduct their reasonable fees and costs in relation to managing retention from the retention money account. There is no guidance in relation to, or cap on, the fees and costs that a receiver/ liquidator can charge but they do have to be reasonable—what is reasonable will depend on the circumstances of the particular receivership/ liquidation.
The changes to retention monies come into effect on 5 October 2023
The new regime applies to commercial contracts
If you’re a subcontractor engaged by a contractor on a residential project, you are deemed to have a commercial contract, so the new regime applies
The head contractor/ owner will have to hold your retention monies in a separate bank account or other financial instrument, and keep accounting records
The head contractor/ owner will have to provide you with information on your retentions
There will be penalties for non-compliance.
Julia Flattery, Partner – Commercial, Duncan Cotterill
Julia is an experienced construction lawyer who brings significant large-project build expertise. She regularly drafts project specific building contracts, subcontracts, consultant appointments, warranties, performance bonds and other ancillary contract documentation; and advises head contractors, subcontractors, consultants and funders in relation to contract packages.
Jonathan Forsey, Special Counsel – Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Duncan Cotterill
Jonathan regularly advises clients on construction contracts issues, retentions and compliance issues, contracting, delay, variations, insurance and regulatory matters, as well as contract and negligence issues. He has been a board member and secretary of the Society of Construction Law New Zealand since 2018.
Go in the draw to WIN a trip for 2 to Bali plus Prezzy Cards to be won at every Trade Show
9 - 14 August 2024
Topics are:
• Junctions on drains
• Fitness to practice
• Products of interest
• Good supervision
• Passive fire protection
• Understanding your competence
• The journey of a complaint
We heard your feedback on CPD and bring you refreshed content and experience for 2023
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Te Pae in Christchurch was the world-class venue for a truly interactive and inspirational 2023 New Zealand Plumbing Conference.
Discussion panels were a new and engaging addition to this year’s New Zealand Plumbing Conference. Panel topics ranged from renewable gas and sustainability to apprenticeships, a construction sector update, and diversity in the plumbing industry.
Attendees were able to pose questions to panelists via Slido software, with conference MC Jehan Casinader fielding answers and ensuring sessions ran smoothly throughout.
Jason Gunn had the audience laughing along as a keynote speaker, giving advice on how to use great communication to make every client feel like the most important person in the world. As founder of Easily Said, Jason helps people connect with others and deliver memorable messages using the HEART formula: Heart, Empathy, Authenticity, Reassurance and Telling a Story.
Dr Michelle Dickinson delivered the second keynote speech, engaging the audience with her journey from being a child with a natural curiosity to know how
things work to a career in engineering and science education that’s fun and accessible to all.
A curious mindset is what leads to innovation, she said, noting that employers need to create blame-free workplaces where people feel safe to ask questions and make mistakes. “We’re trained to believe we’re supposed to know the answer,” said Michelle. “It’s OK to ask.”
Other speakers included Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace with an update on advocacy work at the organisation; Ross Wakefield of MBIE, who outlined progress for plumbing product lead-free requirements; and Melissa Crawford of Tech with Heart, who gave a fascinating run through the technologies we can expect to see more of in future workplaces, including the use of drones on our mobile phones and training via metaverses.
Daytime conference sessions, the expansive trade show and the New Zealand Plumbing Awards Night were all held at the new Te Pae Convention Centre venue in the centre of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
With daytime conference sessions, a comprehensive trade show and evening entertainment, the 2023 NZ Plumbing Conference was action-packed from start to finish, as our photo selection shows!
Member representation was a key theme of the Master Plumbers AGM, as the organisation reported back on the 2022 year.
Take the opportunity to have your say when you can, said Master Plumbers President Jon Lewis in his report to the 2023 Annual General Meeting. “There’s a great deal going on in the advocacy space and Master Plumbers has a really strong voice.”
Representing members’ needs in the apprentice training arena is a major project for Master Plumbers. “The
vocational education reforms being made under RoVE have not been smooth sailing and will continue for some time,” said CEO Greg Wallace in his report. “The need to improve the apprentice training delivery model and the transition to Te Pūkenga have been onerous both for employers and apprentices.”
Wallace noted this had not been helped by the almost 1,200 apprentices who were over duration through no fault of their own. A priority for Master Plumbers is to drive
training assessments in the workplace rather than on block course.
In July 2022, Masterlink launched a Waihanga Ara Rau WDC pilot to carry out workplace assessments for over-duration apprentices. “The pilot has been successful, with the workplace assessments helping to close the gap caused by block course training delays,” said Masterlink Chair Dave Strong in his report to the AGM. With the ongoing support of the WDC, this work would continue on a wider scale in 2023, he noted.
Following an online ballot of the Master Plumbers membership, the eight elected board directors for the 2023-24 term were announced at the Master Plumbers AGM on 1 May. Nick Paris of Plumbing Today in Auckland was welcomed as a new director, and Dale Lovell was thanked for his contribution to the board over the past four years. Individual roles were voted on at the first Board meeting following the AGM. Craig Foley remains as Chair, with Felicity Caird as Deputy Chair. Jon Lewis also remains as President, with Grayson Allen as Deputy President. Sam Tyson is Masterlink Chair, with Dave Strong as Deputy Chair.
Master Plumbers is also working with the WDC’s plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting technical advisory and reference groups on the review of the Level 4 qualifications.
Dave Strong concluded his report by urging all members to consider taking on apprentices, as the only way to sustain our industry. Master Plumbers had pushed for an extension to the government’s Apprenticeship Boost funding for employers who train, and it had been rewarding to see this acknowledged—with funding now available until the end of December 2024.
Master Plumbers is very grateful to all 2023 conference sponsors for their significant contribution and support.
Plumbing World
New Zealand Plumbing Awards
Dinner
Mico
Welcome Night Dinner
Marley and Dux
Fun Night Dinner
MM Brands
Keynote Speaker Jason Gunn
Iplex
Keynote Speaker Dr Michelle
Dickinson
Allproof
Sustainability Panel Discussion
Marley
Product Showcase
Rheem New Zealand
Women and Diversity in Plumbing Discussion Panel
Engelfield/Kohler
Conference Bag
Crombie Lockwood
Coffee Cart
Teletrac Navman
Catering
Waihanga Ara Rau
Catering
Masterlink
Golf Driving Range Competition
Methven Caroma
International Antarctic Centre Visit
At the conclusion of the AGM, Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace was presented with a gift from all associations and branches in recognition of his 2023 Association Influencer Award.
“You go above and beyond what’s expected, and we acknowledge you and your family too,” said Hutt Valley/Wairarapa delegate Colleen Upton. “A great leader takes people where they don’t necessary like to go, but where they ought to go.”
It had been immensely rewarding in 2022 for Master Plumbers to achieve its public health goal for plumbing products in contact with drinking water to be lead free, said CEO Greg Wallace. “We will have to wait until 2025 for the full transition, but ths has shown our advocacy work can bring huge benefits,” he said.
Master Plumbers will continue to advocate for lead-free pipework and componentry in the water supply beyond the toby and is hopeful for a positive outcome.
Master Plumbers had continued to partner with Gas Future Sure in 2022 to support and promote a net zero carbon future for gas.
During the year, the government released its Emissions Reduction Plan, which includes the development of a Gas Transition Plan. Master Plumbers will continue to advocate in this space, particularly to ensure that standards and training are available to gasfitters working with renewable hydrogen.
The 2022 year saw significant progress towards Master Plumbers’ goal of selfcertification for plumbers and drainlayers, with the launch of a remote inspection pilot in Auckland and Northland. The project, funded by Master Plumbers and MBIE, uses digital technology to speed up inspections and consent approvals. It is continuing in 2023 as the pilot rolls out to Canterbury and other regions.
Exhibitors showcased their products and technologies at over 50 stands at the 2023 Trade Show, which ran throughout the conference.
Master Plumbers would like to thank all exhibitors at the 2023 NZ Plumbing Conference:
43South
APD
Advice Financial
All Controls
Allproof
Apex Valves
Aqualine
Aquatherm
Black Diamond Technologies
Bunnings Trade
Buteline
CablePrice
Dux
Firstgas
Greens
Groundplan
Hydroflow
ICE (Industry Connection for Excellence)
Iplex
Englefield/Kohler
Konnect Fastening
MM Brands
Makita
Marley
Master Plumbers/Masterlink
Methven Caroma
Mico
Milwaukee
Mobilcard
PaySauce
Plumbing World RWC
Rheem New Zealand
Rinnai New Zealand
St Michel
Saniflo
Simpro
Stiebel Eltron
Earn Learn | Te Pūkenga
Terra Cat
Watersmart
Waterware
AND THE WINNER IS: Cyclone response showers –McBeth Plumbing & Gas, Taupō
The New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award recognises business excellence. The award has been presented since 2001, when a Centennial Trophy was created to mark Master Plumbers’ 100th year.
Artist Glen Surgenor carved the trophy from a single block of Kahurangi pounamu sourced from the Arahura River on the West Coast of the South Island. The pounamu is special to Ngāi Tahu, who bless it as it is taken from the river.
In 2023, the trophy was formally recognised as taonga paraihe o NZ Master Plumbers. From this year onwards, the winner of the Master Plumber of the Year Award will receive their own pounamu from the Arahura River to wear with mana, as it represents their achievement as toa, or champions, within our industry.
PLATINUM PARTNERS
Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ thanks the following Partners for their support:
GOLD PARTNERS ®
SILVER PARTNERS
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With your tradespeople out on different sites all day, the Master Plumbers Health and Safety App is the easy way to ensure they have health and safety information at their fingertips. The app includes 30 forms and checklists the team can use in their day-to-day work to help keep them safe and compliant with health and safety legislation. Forms include a Quick Safety Checklist, Accident/
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At just $120+GST per year, the Master Plumbers Health and Safety App is a great value, user-friendly and interactive way for your team to keep in touch with the designated health and safety contact at your business via mobile, laptop and desktop.
Master Plumbers is incredibly proud to have become a Toitū carbonreduce certified organisation. This certification is proof we are positively contributing to a sustainable future by measuring and managing our carbon footprint.
To achieve certification, we measured all our operational greenhouse gas emissions under
ISO 14064-1 requirements, including vehicles, business travel, fuel, electricity, paper and waste. With this baseline accreditation, we will be able to measure and manage our carbon reduction efforts for the organisation in the time ahead. The goal is to reduce our emissions by 5% over the next three years. Compliance is independently verified annually.
Master Plumbers and Rinnai partnered for a training roadshow at seven locations during March and April, with Rinnai technical specialist Rob Beardmore providing hands-on training on commissioning, general maintenance and servicing for the Rinnai Infinity A-Series. The two-hour session included training on how to connect a controller, with participants receiving a free controller to take home on completing the course.
Participant feedback was positive, as these testimonials from the Wellington session show.
“Excellent course. Thoroughly enjoyed it.”
“Very well run. Great to have hands on experience.”
Nick Paris is a Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer. He did his apprenticeship through his father’s company in the late 1980s.
“Plumbing is in my blood. Having spent every school holiday working for my dad, I knew what I was getting into when I decided to make it my career, and it was a decision I’ve never looked back on.”
In addition to his technical expertise, Nick obtained a business degree from Auckland University and has over 15 years of experience in senior marketing management roles with companies such as Marley NZ, Caroma NZ and NRM/Tegel Foods.
In 2023, he completed an 11-month Sirdar Applied Directorship Programme through the Skills Consulting Group, further honing his leadership skills.
Nick and his wife Sarah started Plumbing Today in Auckland in 2009 and focus on new high-end residential dwellings and some general maintenance.
As a newly elected Board member with Master Plumbers, Nick is particularly interested in the significance of the Government’s transition to a net zero carbon economy by 2050, and what renewable gases, such as biogas and hydrogen mean to gasfitters in the near future.
Master Plumbers is actively advocating for practical training and robust standards for gasfitters in the use of renewable gases and Nick is very keen to be involved in this process on behalf of our members.
Accepting this process may well be a long journey, but Nick is keen to knuckle down and work with the other Board members to achieve the outcomes sought across the wide range of advocacy projects and Board objectives on behalf of the membership.
Master Plumbers and Masterlink have a joint stand at the 2023 PGDB and Mico CPD Roadshow, which got underway in May. The team are enjoying catching up with Master Plumbers members and Masterlink hosts around the motu as well as getting to know some new faces.
The roadshow has been making its way from the South Island to the North, finishing up in Whangarei in early August. For dates, locations and to register for a session, visit www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/cpd
The calibre of entries to the New Zealand Plumbing Awards just keeps growing year on year. We want to thank everyone who entered or nominated someone for the 2023 awards—the judges found it incredibly difficult to select our finalists and winners. Huge congratulations to everyone who received an award on the night (see page 26 to view the winners) and particularly to our New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year, Devine Plumbing in Napier. Turn to page 40 for a full profile on this highly successful and professional business, led by Campbell Devine.
With plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers now on the immigration Green List, Master Plumbers has developed guidance for members wanting to recruit migrant workers. Employers who want to hire workers from overseas must apply to Immigration New Zealand for accreditation, and the guidance takes businesses step by step through the accreditation process.
Our legal team have reviewed the residential building contract template resources for members. Updated versions of the templates and usage guidance are now available for members’ use when working directly for homeowners on projects costing $30,000 or more.
Nau mai haere mai to new member businesses of Master Plumbers:
Alien Plumbing – Auckland
Drake Plumbing – Auckland
Limitless Plumbing and Gas – Auckland
Plumbsafe NZ – Auckland
Sinclair Plumbing – Hutt Valley/Wairarapa
Comag Wairarapa – Wellington
Oak Plumbing – Wellington
Water Services Plumbing – Otago
Master Plumbers is here to support all businesses in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry. Members are Quality Assured and backed by the Master Plumbers Guarantee. We offer a wide range of business resources, health and safety, HR & technical support, plus training and member discounts—and we advocate for our members as a collective industry voice. Get in touch today! Alana
It was great to be able to present some of the 2023 Membership Milestone Award certificates in person at the 2023 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Night, held at Te Pae in Christchurch in May.
Other presentations are being made at local branch and association meetings.
Congratulations to all 2023 milestone award recipients, listed below:
70 Years
W Roper
Willcox Plumbing
40 Years
EC Shaw
Baxter & Neilson Plumbers
Hays Plumbing Services
Plimmer Plumbing
Rob’s Plumbing & Heating
Whitehead Plumbing & Gas
30 Years
Chenery Contracting
Cooke Plumbing Company
Marshall Plumbers
Foreshore Plumbing
Papatoetoe Plumbing
Alan Wilson Plumbing
Bassett Plumbing & Drainage
Rogers & Rogers
Abbotts Plumbing and Drainage
Wharfe Bros 1974
Coromandel Plumbing (1986)
Tauranga Hardware & Plumbing Co
RMD Marine
Kingfisher Plumbing
Laser Plumbing Tauranga
BJ Moss Ltd
Wairoa Plumbing Co
John Mason Plumbing
Belmont Plumbers
TJ Bircham Plumbing
Hutt Gas and Plumbing Systems
Heatrite Bowaters Plumbing Co
Rankin Plumbing
Millson Plumbing & Drainlaying
Tasman Bay Plumbing Services
DB Henderson Plumbing
Southplumb
Bruce Carter Plumbing & Gas Fitting
White & Taylor
MJ Robertson
Southern Plumbing & Heating
NF Smeaton & Sons
Anderson Plumbing & Drainage
McLellan’s
Menzies Group
Tony Allnutt Plumbing
JS McHale
AC Plumbing
Lines Plumbing
BOP Plumbing & Gas
Action Civil
Aquaheat New Zealand
Southern Plumbing & Gasfitting
Capital Plumbing
JLP
RD Mein Plumbing
Mana Plumbing
Thomas Plumbing & Gas
McGuire Plumbing
Plumb.Co (2004)
Brian Goodwin Plumbing
RA Barker
Hosking Plumbing Services
CJ Cant
Laser Plumbing Hamilton West
20 Years
Bays Plumbing
Plumbcraft
Eastern Plumbing
H2flow Plumbing
Drainage Solutions & Design
Arrowtown Plumbing
Graham Sharrock Plumbing & Gas
Plumbing Express
10 Years
Plumbuilt Plumbing
ID Erceg Plumbing
Eagle Plumbing
Comfortably Plumbed & Gas
Masters Plumbing
Manawatu Plumbing and Maintenance
Andy Bennett Plumbing
Maxwell Plumbing Co
Barrett Contractors
Inline Plumbing
Aquacraft Plumbing
H2O Design
South Canterbury Plumbing & Drainage
Southland Farm Services
Fry’s Plumbing Te Anau
5 Years
Gardiner Plumbing & The Gas Shop
Laser Plumbing Grey Lynn
Campbell Plumbing & Gasfitting
Plumbing Today
Awesome Plumbing
JG Plumbing & Gas Services
Compass Plumbing
Progress Plumbing
Premium
East Auckland Plumbing
AKL Plumbing and Gasfitting Services
Profile Plumbing
Matthews Plumbing and Gasfitting
Sakata Construction
Plumbing 4 U
Plumb Tight
Next Level Plumbing
Baywide Plumbing & Gas
Eco Plumber & Gasfitter
Rofe Plumbing
Maddever Plumbing 2015
Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas
Brown Arm Boys Drainage
Complete Plumbing Solutions
PHD Consulting
DJ Plumbing & Gasworks
Henry’s Plumbing
Tuffnell Plumbing Drainage & Gas
Hunter Plumbing
Dewaters Plumbing and Gasfitting
On Plumbing
Te Anau Plumbing
BJ Towers Plumbing Drainage & Gas
No Pressure Plumbing & Gasfitting
Laser Plumbing Petone
Flow Plumbing & Heating
CLR Plumbing & Gas
ASAP Plumbing Services
Advance Plumbing & Gas
Elite Plumbing & Gas Waikato
In the 2023 King's Birthday and Coronation Honours List, John DeBernardo was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to the plumbing and gas industries. It is a fitting tribute to a man whose contribution to these industries was in a class of its own.
A Certifying Plumber and Gasfitter, WorkSafe Approved Practitioner and Licensed Electrical Technician, John was one of New Zealand’s foremost authorities on gas industry regulation, gas usage, distribution and combustion.
He was valued for his high-level, specialist expertise and knowledge of all facets of the gas industry, having designed and certified many uncommon and complex commercial and industrial gas installations.
As Managing Director of engineering consultancy service Gas Safely Ltd since 2008, he provided safe and compliant technical solutions for the gasfitting and energy sectors across New Zealand.
John made a peerless contribution to gas standards development in New Zealand and Australia, serving on the Gas Sector Board to set the annual programme of standardisation work and with the Gas Community Group.
His efforts were recognised in 2007 as the recipient of a Standards New Zealand Meritorious Service Award, and again in 2014 when he was presented with a Standards New Zealand Outstanding Contribution Award for services to Standards.
John was a passionate and long-standing member of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ. He was an Executive Member of the Master Plumbers Wellington Branch and served on the national Master Plumbers Board for 11 years. In 2021, his significant service to the Board and the organisation as a whole was formally recognised.
At the 2023 Master Plumbers AGM, John was posthumously awarded Life Membership. “John’s contribution to this industry will be hard to surpass,” said fellow Life Member Mark Whitehead on announcing the award.
John began his apprenticeship in the 1970s at his father’s business Aquaheat, one of the largest plumbing and mechanical businesses in New Zealand. He worked his way up the company ladder to become General Manager of the manufacturing distribution business and remained there for some 33 years.
John met his wife Michele when she joined Aquaheat in 1996. A workplace
romance began, and blossomed over their 27 years together.
The NZPM Co-operative has also benefited from John’s governance and business skills. It was John’s father Ido who, along with a group of like-minded plumbers, paid 100 pounds each to establish the co-operative back in 1964.
“John joined the NZPM Board just over 12 years ago and became Chair 10 years ago,” says CEO Rob Kidd. “His passion for, leadership of, and unwavering commitment to the NZPM Co-operative over many decades, and particularly during his time as Chair, has been second to none (except perhaps to his father).
“John and I conducted 10 shareholder roadshows across the full length of NZ during his time as Chair and travelled to Australia, Canada and the United States to learn as much as we could about how to continuously improve the NZPM Cooperative by engaging with the world’s largest and best plumbing companies, such as Ferguson in the USA.
“John’s exceptional vision, passion, loyalty, leadership, and commitment to the success of the NZPM Co-operative will be sorely missed. Did he expect a lot – yes. Did he suffer fools – no. Could he be tough – oh yeh. Was he fair – absolutely. Could you have a good laugh on a road trip – yep. Did you know where you stood with John – all the time.”
In 2021, NZPM was awarded Cooperative of the Year in recognition of the huge contribution and progress it has been making. Earlier this year, John’s long-standing contribution to NZPM and co-operatives in general was also acknowledged as the first recipient of the Cooperative Business NZ Lifetime
Achievement Award, recognising individuals who give of themselves freely to the cooperative and mutual community.
John was an ardent supporter of the Plumbing World Young Plumbers Club and Young Plumber of the Year Competition, helping educate, develop and grow the next generation of plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers in NZ. He was also instrumental in developing the NZPM Future Governance Programme to help develop future directors of the organisation.
Plumbing World’s Support Office (DeBernardo House) is named after John in recognition of his massive contribution over many years to the organisation’s success.
As the saying goes, behind every good man there is a great woman. Over their 27 years together, Michele supported John all the way. She has attended many NZPM, Plumbing World and Master Plumbers functions in support of John: from AGMs and overseas trips, to V8s and Young Plumber events.
“John and I were walking down the main street of Hamilton one year when he pointed out the hotel he and Michele had their honeymoon night in,” recalls Rob Kidd. “John went on to tell me it was a Saturday evening and the All Blacks were playing— he’d invited a bunch of mates over to watch the game on the TV in their hotel room.
“I asked John how that went down with Michele. His simple John response: ‘As you would expect.’ I checked with Michele a few weeks later and, yep, 20 plus years on she was still fuming.”
John was a petrol head and conducted some 100,000 rally miles over his earlier years. When he bought his first Mustang around seven years ago, the first road trip he and Michele did was all the way to Wanaka to show his mate Stu McIvor.
“Michele did tell me that on multiple occasions she asked him to slow down but that landed on deaf ears,” says Rob. “Petrol head, Mustang and long South Island roads—too much for John not to enjoy.
“For many of us John was a great man, a mentor, a visionary, leader, a mate and a friend—a wonderful person to engage with and learn from,” says Rob. “John established a great legacy, and it is our commitment and privilege to carry on the dream and the legacy of John Ido DeBernardo.”
Our sincerest condolences to Michele, Darcy, Nicole, Paul, Kaye and family. While our loss is great, yours is even greater.
John—farewell our incredible friend.
John DeBernardo, MNZM, passed away peacefully after a 15 month battle with cancer on 18 April 2023.
Recent Master Plumbers branch and association events have included a post-cyclone support meeting in Napier.
At the end of March, representatives from Master Plumbers and Masterlink came together with members from the Master Plumbers Hawke’s Bay branch to provide support and discuss other opportunities for assistance in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Among the speakers at the event, held at Plumbing World Napier, were Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace, HR Manager Lisa Duston and Wellbeing Guy Kereama Carmody. They were joined by Graeme Haxton of Mates in Construction.
The meeting was well attended by members from the region, including Master Plumbers Hawke’s Bay President Kay Fennessy.
The meeting was a chance for local members to share their experiences, receive some wellbeing support and discuss ways Master Plumbers could best assist.
There was a changing of the guard at the Master Plumbers Hutt Valley/Wairarapa meeting in April, with Tamati Wilson of Complete Plumbing Solutions taking over from Paul Nydam as President and Kirstie Brown of Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas becoming Vice President.
In his new role, Tamati presented a number of Membership Milestone certificates to members in the region. Certificates were awarded to:
Belmont Plumbing – 30 years
Bircham Plumbing – 30 years
Hutt Gas and Plumbing – 30 years
John Mason Plumbers – 30 years
Brown Arm Boys Drainage – 5 years
Complete Plumbing Solutions – 5 years
DJ Plumbing and Gasworks – 5 years
Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas – 5 Years
PHD Consulting – 5 Years
Darren Smith (Hutt Gas and Plumbing), John Mason, Terry Bircham and Jason Brown were at the meeting to receive their certificates, with Henk Otte on hand to present Tamati Wilson with the certificate for his own business, Complete Plumbing Solutions.
The meeting also included some great presentations by Mico Commercial, Mico Design and Rinnai.
Master Plumbers Wellington President Dave Norriss has presented several local members with their Membership Milestone Award certificates of late, including 50 years for Tasman Plumbers (Wgtn) Ltd, and 30 years for Action Civil Ltd, Aquaheat New Zealand Ltd, JLP Ltd, Mana Plumbing Ltd, and Southern Plumbing & Gasfitting Ltd, and 5 years for No Pressure Plumbing & Gasfitting Ltd. The majority were presented at the Wellington Branch meeting in April, held at the Sprig & Fern Tavern in Tawa.
Master Plumbers Wellington President Dave Norriss presenting 30-year Membership Milestone Awards certificates to James Taylor of Mana Plumbing (right) and Mark Cottiss (below) of Aquaheat New Zealand.
Canterbury Association members enjoyed a comprehensive wellbeing session in April, with two speakers from Mates in Construction, along with Master Plumbers Wellbeing Guy Kereama Carmody and Georgia Bridley, Suicide Prevention/ Postvention Coordinator at Pegasus Health in Christchurch.
Event speakers, from left: Maddi van Sitter of Mates in Construction, Master Plumbers Wellbeing Guy Kereama Carmody, Georgia Bridley of Pegasus Health and Izak Clarke, also of Mates in Construction.
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Devine Plumbing in Napier was awarded 2023 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year at the New Zealand Plumbing Awards in May. NZ Plumber caught up with owner Cam Devine to discover what makes this business a winner.
Cam Devine uses an image to describe his management style. “Picture a horse and cart. Some bosses sit in the cart and whip the horses. I’d rather tow the cart with the other horses. By joining in and doing the toughest jobs, you show the team your work ethic and inspire them to follow your example.”
Cam’s approach clearly works, as his people have stayed loyal throughout his 10 years of running Devine Plumbing in Napier. He realised early on that paperwork wasn’t for him, so he’s gathered a trusted office team around him, giving him time to be on the tools and working side by side with his tradespeople on site every day.
Photos of every job are posted to a Facebook Messenger group, which helps ensure the high-quality work Cam expects of the whole team. “It holds everyone accountable, and we also critique each other’s work,” he says. “There’s nothing like have 25 pairs of eyes on your work to instill a focus on quality! It also means we have images if clients want them, or if a bill is queried.”
Devine Plumbing was set up by Cam and his father Mike in 2013. Their first employee was Jed Oliver, who Cam mentored through his plumbing apprenticeship—as he has with many others since. “He was always willing to help me in all aspects of the job and in life in general, says Jed, who still works in with Cam on jobs since starting his own plumbing company in the past year. “Whether it was teaching me new skills, helping with my bookwork or some life advice, I could always count on Campbell to point me in the right direction.”
Cam bought his father’s share of the business six years ago, when Mike retired. “I was 25 and wanted to make something of it,” he recalls. “It was a hectic time—I worked a million hours a day to try and get the business established.”
The more he threw himself into it, the more he fell in love with the realities of running a business. “A client told me I could be the best plumber but without an admin team I wouldn’t have a good business. I took his advice and employed my auntie Kerry as Office Manager extraordinaire!”
The current team of five, including Cam’s cousin Hannah—“marketing and accounts guru”—ensure customers are kept happy with prompt quotes, job bookings and invoices, and good communication about when they can expect their tradesperson to arrive.
Operations Manager Mandy Burgess manages the company’s commercial projects and Cam has also taken on good mate Ben, who was keen to learn the quantity surveying aspect of the business. He taught him the skills to the point where Ben now heads up the new housing team while also studying towards his QS qualifications.
Cam says he has an amazing team of great people—and they happen to include Marikki, who’s a qualified plumber, drainlayer and gasfitter. This June, she gave birth to baby Laniey, who joins two-yearold Tully, Pippi, who’s 10, and George, six.
For Cam, everyone at Devine Plumbing feels like family. When he’s not working with clients or supporting the office staff with quoting, planning, setting up jobs, and scheduling, his focus is on training the eight apprentices at the business. “I like to train my own plumbers, so the plumbing is the same, no matter what the job,” he says.
Cam’s door is always open if any of his team have issues at work or in their personal lives, and he’ll help his
apprentices out by finding them rental accommodation or buying a first car if it makes getting to work easier.
He also takes their mental wellbeing seriously, with the business offering to pay for the first 10 sessions if any staff members need counselling support. Local suicide prevention specialists have shared workplace guidance and two of the Devine team have also completed LifeKeeper training.
“It’s super critical with so many pressures in the world today,” he says.
Cam also encourages of all his staff to share the knowledge and skills they learn from their studies and block courses. Along with ensuring he provides the whole team with training and learning opportunities, he works with his tradespeople one on one, as he believes it’s the best way to help people learn.
“We work hard but we have a lot of fun along the way,” he says. “We have midwinter and end of year work dos and have a social catch up at the end of each week. We all get along outside of work, so it’s not unusual for 20 of us to be having a beer together on Friday.”
Doing his own plumbing and drainlaying apprenticeship in the midst of a recession taught Cam the importance of diversifying. Devine Plumbing provides both domestic
and commercial plumbing, gas and drainage services, with current major projects including an upgrade for the 150 Z fuel stations around the North Island.
Three full time civil drainage crews provide services for packhouses and cool stores; a team of four look after maintenance jobs; and another team handles new housing work. There’s also a crew installing wastewater treatment systems for rural homes and schools, plus two backflow IQPs, who do all the testing and repairs for Napier City Council.
“We do all sorts of jobs,” says Cam. “We’re currently laying a limestone bike track for a school we were working at after the cyclone to deal with flood damage.”
With five diggers plus a fleet of compactors, loaders and trucks, the business was well equipped to assist the local community in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle—and they jumped at the chance to volunteer their time.
Cam told his staff he would pay their full wages for the ensuing fortnight and would use his plant and equipment to help the worst affected communities recover. Every member of his team chose to work 12 hours a day for the community, helping out in whatever way they could.
“It looked like a war zone,” recalls Cam. “With silt up to the spouting on some houses, we were mostly dealing with clearing it so people could get to their precious belongings. We’d spend around a day per house with the digger running and the rest of the staff clearing out carpets, couches and drapes, so the house could dry out as quickly as possible to prevent mould.”
Cam and his apprentices worked 20 days straight clearing mud but he says they were not alone. The whole community stepped up to the challenge, knowing they had to act fast to save as many local homes and businesses as possible.
“I just thought it was the right thing to do, but boy I was proud of my team,” says Cam.
Over its decade in business, Devine Plumbing has become a trusted name among the Hawke’s Bay community for its professional, high-quality workmanship and customer service. With his friendly, easy-going approach, Cam has built positive relationships with other plumbing firms and trade businesses in the region and also supports a range of local sports teams and charities.
To maximise the company’s presence, Cam regularly posts photos and videos to the company’s social media accounts and he’s currently working on a website redesign for the business. Whether here or on the team’s uniforms and vehicles, or on work containers at commercial sites, the new Devine Plumbing logo is everywhere to be seen—and it’s turning heads.
“I contacted a designer on the Gold Coast, who creates cartoon figures, and worked with him to create a plumber, a gasfitter and a drainlayer based on actual members of the team,” explains Cam. “I wanted our work T-shirts to be the kind of thing people would want to buy, and everyone comments on them.”
There’s gasfitter Arlo, with his trademark cheesecutter cap, drainlayer Gary with his infamous cowboy hat, and Cam’s wife Marikki featuring as the plumber.
To celebrate his 10 years in business in April, Cam commissioned another illustration of him on his digger. And it doesn’t stop there. Asked about his future plans, he says they are in the process of buying a new yard and moving out of their current rental premises. Expect to see the Devine Plumbing brand displayed everywhere with pride—right down to the office wallpaper. But then, what else would you expect from a business whose attention to detail has earned them a reputation for excellence!
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FB Hall & Co Ltd was founded back in 1923 by Frederick (Fred) Benjamin Hall, Jack A Wainscott and Frances L Lound. Although much has changed—transport is no longer by pushbike or handcart, for example—one thing remains the same: the company’s commitment to delivering quality plumbing services.
For 93 years of its 100-year history, FB Hall & Co has been a member of Master Plumbers. This, says Manager Joe Calkin, is testament to Master Plumbers’ commitment to advocacy, networking opportunities, branding and public perception. “Master Plumbers aligns with our values, and importantly, it helps give customers confidence in our integrity,” he says.
The company’s extensive history is clear evidence of good old-fashioned hard work and dedication. Fred Hall was an English immigrant, whose engineering and plumbing skills were well suited to New Zealand’s burgeoning dairy industry, while foreman Jack Wainscott was a solderer, working on cream cans for the Matangi Dairy Factory Glaxo plant. In those early days, the company was heavily involved in the manufacture of large dairy cylinders and the founders worked out of rented premises in Alexandra Street, Hamilton. Despite the challenges of the economic downturn of the late 1920s and early 1930s, the business survived and was involved in large contracts at Waikato Hospital
and the university science blocks. By the mid-1930s, business growth meant an additional plant was required. And, in 1937, 14 years after setting up shop, the company directors decided it was time to be allocated two weeks of annual leave for a long overdue holiday!
Over the years, the business has continued to be involved in many significant contracts in the Waikato region, from high-rise buildings in the 1960s to the dairy factories of the greater Waikato during the 1970s and 80s—and, in more recent times, The Base Shopping Centre, Tetra Pak, Innovation Park New Building, Waikeria Prison Development, Tristram Street Precinct,
Now located in Greenwood Street, and with a team of 50, including 17-18 apprentices, FB Hall continues to be run like a family business—the secret to its success, believes Joe. There is a strong focus on supporting employees by prioritising mental health and wellbeing, and creating a place where people look forward to coming to work.
“We have very low staff turnover and our many long-standing employees are proof of that,” he says. “Most notable are Colin Middlemiss and Wayne Hodgetts, who are now both retired after serving nearly 50 years.”
Studies have long shown that happy employees are more productive and good for business. But for Joe, good wellbeing is about much more than productivity and staff retention.
“New Zealand’s mental health statistics are shocking, and we want to play a part in changing that,” he says. His goal is to make open discussion around emotional health as easy as physical health. “If
someone hurts their back, they take time to recover. We want people to feel comfortable enough to tell us if they are not feeling like themselves. It may be they are experiencing anxiety or depression and need support or even some time off. I always say to them it’s just like your head got the flu… if you work at it, it will get better and when it does, you will feel better than you ever have.
“The younger guys and girls are better at having open conversations on mental health, and that’s something the older generation can learn from millennials. I believe and hope that, as a firm, we are getting there—site shed discussions are happening without being forced. That, to me, is the gold standard.”
Plumbing is a demanding job, and the company recognises the importance of balancing hard work with relaxation and enjoyment. An on-site social room is equipped with music equipment, a TV, ping pong and pool tables, and gaming consoles to create a space for employees to unwind. The company also organises mid-year and end-of-year work parties and fishing events. “We are here for nine hours a day and want to enjoy that time together at work,” he says.
FB Hall has always prioritised the training and development of its employees. As Joe explains: “I prefer to build a workforce rather than buy one, so we take on two to four apprentices per year, which is around 300 apprentices over the last 100 years. Apprentices are happy to remain with us after their training. All the shareholders, apart from myself, have done their apprenticeships with the firm and most have done an OE or worked elsewhere then returned and progressed to ownership in the business.”
To prove the point of learning and development being a lifelong journey, Joe put himself forward for the NZPM Future Governance Programme and was the successful appointee. “I was excited to be chosen for the role, and the step up to new learning was, in part, about ‘walking the talk’. I spend a lot of time encouraging our guys and girls to study; now it’s my turn.’’
Joe must have carried himself well as, with John DeBernardo’s passing, he has been co-opted onto the NZPM Board in a unanimous vote of the Directors. Joe will stand for the Board elections at the 2023 NZPM AGM in August.
To celebrate its successes and milestones over the past century, FB Hall will throw a ‘Centennial’ party this spring, as well as an event at the end of the year with a guest list that will include those who have been heavily involved in its 100 years of existence.
This is more than just a reputable plumbing and gasfitting company dedicated to delivering high-quality services. The company’s success is also evidenced by its strong values, commitment to employee wellbeing, and investment in training and development. As FB Hall enters its second century of operation, it will maintain its focus on keeping both its customers and its employees happy.
Running a plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying business in New Zealand isn’t for the faint-hearted. The industry is demanding, fast-paced, and full of unique challenges that require constant attention. With a shortage of skilled tradespeople and ever-increasing material, fuel, and wage costs, it can feel like an uphill battle to keep your business running smoothly.
Yet with the right tools and technology, you can automate and modernise your processes, making sure all your hard work pays off in the long run. That’s where telematics comes in—game-changing technology for servicebased businesses like yours.
When paired with fleet management software, you can get a competitive edge in a crowded market. With telematics, you can keep a firm handle on the day-to-day running of your business, helping you to stay ahead of the competition.
One significant challenge for plumbing businesses is knowing where staff are at any time. Your tradespeople are often out and about running multiple jobs, travelling locally, and using their vehicles as their mobile workplaces.
Thanks to fleet management software, you have an instant view on your team to ensure their safety and their performance without the need to call around. In a highly competitive market, this feature is very helpful, as you can leverage the data to dispatch the closest person to a job with turn-by-turn directions, ensuring the fastest and safest routes between each job. It also reduces the distance travelled—minimising wear and tear and maintenance expenses— and improves fuel consumption.
Lots of service-based businesses struggle with communicating safely with their staff in the field, especially when there are last-minute job changes or limited phone coverage. The roads are dangerous, but a
reliable fleet tracking system can make it safer for your remote tradespeople.
It enables businesses to keep up with drivers at any given time whether it’s to ensure they’re going to the right place, to send them to an ad-hoc job, or to receive updates on a task. This feature is perfect for businesses with staff working in constantly changing locations, as everyone can stay up-to-date and collaborate in real-time, leading to safer operations and the ability to address issues immediately.
As your business grows, so does the amount of paperwork. There’s only so much that spreadsheets and post-it-notes can do. Relying on traditional paper-based systems for job tracking and timesheets can be inefficient and time-consuming, taking away valuable time that could be spent growing your business and improving productivity.
The accuracy of paper-based reporting can also be a challenge, making it difficult to gain insight into your operations and make informed decisions. Telematics enables businesses to check which workers are on a particular task, how long they’ve spent on it, and what their weekly hours are—all in a simple and automated manner.
With accurate digital timesheets, managers can assign jobs based on employees’ available hours and location and remove the guesswork from their schedules. This not only improves productivity, but also improves profitability by utilising staff efficiently. And when staff wages are a significant proportion of your business costs, every little bit helps. Once a job is done, with the right data at your fingertips, you can easily track costs, including materials and labour, to issue accurate quotes and invoices, avoiding under or overservicing.
In the rapidly changing market, letting telematics handle job management stress can take the headache out of keeping track of everything that is going on in the business. The global market for telematics is expected to grow in the coming years, so now is the time for plumbers and other service-based businesses in New Zealand to invest in technology to stay competitive and profitable.
James French is Australasian Solutions Specialist at Teletrac Navman. Learn more about Teletrac Navman’s custom telematics solutions at: www. teletracnavman.co.nz/fleetmanagement-software
Each year, Plumbing World awards Plumbing World Scholarships to deserving Masterlink apprentices, who are a real asset to their host employers. Each receives a $1,000 credit to spend at Plumbing World. The overall winner also receives a full NZ Plumbing Conference package, including registration, travel and accommodation. Huge congratulations to the 2023 winners:
Sebastian Sekene – overall winner
Emma de Salis
Andrew Smith.
You may be familiar with Sebastian, who provides a regular Day in the Life column in NZ Plumber—turn to page 85 to read what he has to say this edition!
Sebastian is also a past recipient of a Masterlink Outward Bound Scholarship and willingly agreed to be on the Women and Diversity in Plumbing panel at the 2023 conference. He is now in the final year of his apprenticeship at Heron Plumbing in Auckland.
Emma, a second-year apprentice at McBeth Plumbing & Gas in Taupō, was also on the Women and Diversity in Plumbing panel, giving an insight into having ADHD and how she manages this in the workplace. She is also a Masterlink Outward Bound Scholarship winner and headed off in June for this year’s 16-day challenge. Plus, she has been selected as an Apprentice Excellence Award finalist in the 2023 NAWIC Awards, joining fellow
Masterlink apprentice Hera Eruera among the seven finalists in this award category! Look out for an article on Emma in the next edition of NZ Plumber
Andrew Smith is in the final year of his apprenticeship at EG Glennie in Wellington. Andrew came to a plumbing career through the school Gateway Programme and says he loves faces a new challenge every day in his work. In 2022, he shared his experiences of being a plumbing apprentice in Leaving School magazine. Read more about Andrew on page 81.
Masterlink is pleased to welcome Alastair Hoult (above left) to the new role of Commercial Manager. Alastair joins Masterlink from Workbridge, where he was National Manager Business Services. Previous to this he worked in the vocational and training sector as Corporate Services General Manager for Skills Active Aotearoa.
As many readers will be aware, Pete Shields (below left) has been directly involved in the WDC Workplace Assessment pilot programme since mid 2022. Pete has done an outstanding job in managing the pilot programme and is setting the industry standard for workplace assessments.
With workplace assessments set to become an ongoing feature of industry apprentice training, Masterlink is pleased to advise that Pete is moving full time into this space as Apprentice Training Manager.
Traditionally male-dominated, the plumbing workforce is gradually changing to become more inclusive of women tradies. At the 2023 New Zealand Plumbing Conference, a Women and Diversity in Plumbing panel showed that people of any age, gender, culture and learning style can get out on the tools, get qualified and enjoy a successful career in plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting.
Masterlink was proud to have apprentices Sebastian Sekene and Emma de Salis on the panel, engaging the audience with their apprenticeship challenges and rewards.
As a dyslexia friendly company and a Blue Ribbon Sponsor of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Masterlink fully supports and promotes diversity in the workplace.
We’re hearing of increasing incidents of tool thefts from vehicles. Are your tools covered? Master Plumbers Insurance has a great deal for Masterlink apprentices on insurance cover against theft, accidental loss (including fire) and accidental damage. Get $5,000 cover (including in-vehicle cover) with a $250 excess—all for $392 inc GST a year. That's less than $8 a week for peace of mind! You can also choose to extend the cover to $10,000 for an annual charge of $774 inc GST.
Call the Master Plumbers Insurance team at Crombie Lockwood to discuss your needs:
0800 866 766 masterplumbers@mhib.co.nz
It was wonderful to share the company of so many hosts and apprentices at the Masterlink 21st celebrations this May. Held at Kong in Christchurch the night before the 2023 New Zealand Plumbing Conference kicked off, it was a perfect opportunity to acknowledge the huge role our hosts play in providing high-quality on-job training to Masterlink apprentices.
Masterlink CEO Greg Wallace and General Manager Rhys Nimmo spoke at the event, as did Mark Whitehead—Master Plumbers Life Member, past national President and one of the founders of the Masterlink programme back in 2002.
Since then, we have helped hundreds of Masterlink apprentices gain a footing in the industry and obtain their qualifications. Many of them have gone on to train new apprentices for their employers or in their own new businesses.
We look forward to many more years of providing mentored apprenticeships for the next generation of plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers.
A warm welcome to the Masterlink whānau:
Phillip Webster
Easyflow Drainage, Christchurch
Amy Biddle
GoFox Plumbing Queenstown
Aaren Markenstein
Queenstown Plumbing
Leroy Birkedahl-Henriksen
Heron Plumbing, Auckland
Monica Ormsby
AME Solutions, Turangi
Ethan Laban
PGD Plus, Auckland
Thu Ne Thach
Plumbing Services Nelson
Justin Winter
HiFlo Plumbing, Oamaru
Tony Subritzky
Rogers & Rogers, Kaitaia
Vincent Rall
J&T Plumbing, Tauranga
Jared Mark
Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas
Sam Eastergaard
Master Plumb, Tauranga
Jacob Campbell
Heron Plumbing, Auckland
Aaron Teiri
ACE Drainlaying & Excavating, Rotorua
William Poharama
Rawlinson’s Plumbing, Rotorua
Cameron White
Scotties Potties, Wellington
Career decisions are influenced from a very young age, as children see role models among their whānau, friends and school connections.
Masterlink is always keen to motivate young people to consider a trades career if they love working with their hands, solving problems, and enjoy variety and being outdoors.
At a joint Careers Expo held at St Bernards College in Lower Hutt earlier this year, Masterlink team members Bob McCoy and Jo Caine were on the Masterlink stand talking to students and their whānau about the amazing career opportunities a plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeship can lead!
Sosaia Fonua
Impact Roofing & Plumbing, Dunedin
Thomas Young Gas & Water, Dunedin.
Qualification completion is a massive milestone! Congratulations to:
Akida Shimamoto, Cameron Ryder, Ryan Howie and Bayley Wilkie in Plumbing, Drainlaying and Gasfitting; and Chase Sheridan, Jack O’Neill and Daniel Eskrick in Drainlaying.
STIEBEL ELTRON offers solutions that can help to drastically reduce energy consumption. The use of intelligent, energy efficient technology, in combination with renewables, allows us to become futureproof.
Poor mental and emotional wellbeing has been shown to increase absenteeism, accidents, injuries and recovery time, and to negatively impact productivity, staff churn and overall business performance.
CHASNZ recently hosted a webinar with awardwinning New Zealand-based company SaferMe, who have developed a software tool that allows construction businesses to monitor psychological and social risk factors in their teams, so managers can see where they need to focus on improvements.
Called Safety Snap, the tool can be incorporated into the weekly toolbox session or at prestarts. The session leader simply presses a button on their mobile device to generate a QR code, which the team scans to answer two or three questions anonymously.
Questions are simple and snappy and can be answered in seconds. They can also be translated into other languages to suit your workforce.
The resulting data feeds in real time to the Safety Snap dashboard, which can be shared with HR, operations, and safety managers in the business.
The tool measures 15 factors in all, including stress, fatigue, job satisfaction, peer relationships and workload. SaferMe conducted a survey of the construction industry and found these to be the key factors affecting our industry, which is known to be a stressful one with its long hours, physical demands, high workloads, time pressures and boom and bust cycles.
The tool’s development is supported by ACC, CHASNZ and Civil Contractors NZ.
You can watch the informative webinar here www.chasnz.org/articles/webinar-reducing-risk-bymeasuring-and-addressing-psychosocial-issues-2
If you’re interested in finding out more about using the Safety Snap software tool in your business, email mike@safer.me
When people have stress in their lives, it can have a major impact on their work.
A community project to provide people in cyclone-hit regions with a much-needed hot shower has been awarded 2023 Project of the Year at the New Zealand Plumbing Awards. NZ Plumber talks to Scott McBeth, the man with a simple idea that grew into a massive team effort.
AUTHOR: NICK WALKER
Scott McBeth reckons he had around 200 people contribute, many as volunteers, to his cyclone response project, which was acknowledged as the 2023 Project of the Year at the recent New Zealand Plumbing Awards. It might not have been the biggest project or the most technical plumbing, but it was a special effort to make life a little bit more comfortable for victims of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Like many people watching the aftermath of February flooding across Hawke’s Bay and other regions, the General Manager of McBeth Plumbing and Gas in Taupō was keen to help out—he just couldn’t think how. But when he came across a post about a portable hot shower unit on Facebook, Scott knew it could help those in remote, cut-off communities.
From that moment, he was all in. He drew up a concept, figured out what he needed, and sent out a few emails and a Facebook message for people to donate things like pumps, batteries and solar panels. He had no idea how quickly it would catch on and how many people were about to get on board.
“I only intended to make a handful of these showers, but we were overwhelmed with the response. It became easier to ask for money, so we could buy the parts we needed, and we were just swamped. All up, 122 people donated around $30,000. We had suppliers giving us products at wholesale rates, and
other plumbing, electrical and building companies offering labour. It was huge.
“There were 27 people involved in cleaning, building and fitting out the showers. We spent about three weeks making them, mainly after hours, and ended up with 15 of them.”
The showers are made up of two stacked, caged water tanks, fitted with a 12-volt pump, gas water heater and solar panel and controller to charge the battery. Scott tinkered with the initial design he’d seen to add an IBC water tank and make it fully self-sufficient.
When the first few showers were finished, the next challenge was delivering them. The road from Taupō to Napier was closed due to damage, so Scott and Phil Andrews took a six-hour alternative trip south via the Central Plateau to get the showers to people without water.
“I questioned if it was even the right thing to do at times,” recalls Scott. “I had visions of people with portable ablution blocks, and we’d turn up with these hillbilly showers and get laughed at. But when we got them there, people were in tears and telling us their stories. It was pretty humbling.”
He ended up doing three trips to Napier (thankfully the usual road was open for the other two), and with some local coordination from BP Connect Bay View and others, dropped off showers in Whirinaki, Eskdale, Tangoio, Puketapu and Waiohiki.
“I was dreading that second trip,” he says. “It was down to the last few hours before we left to get acceptance to cross the usual road, which was a huge relief. We borrowed a big trailer off a building company that allowed us to take five showers with five extra water tanks. It was a full load—12 metres from front to back—probably the biggest you’d want to tow with a ute.
“Some of the places we’d go… I remember there were hundreds of people at Tangoio Marae, so we pretty much dropped a whole trailer load there.”
While it mightn’t have seemed like a lot at the beginning, Scott quickly saw what having warm showers meant for people who were dealing with the clean up without running water.
“One area along Whirinaki Beach was quite hard hit. The houses must have pretty much been flooded to the ceiling.
One resident said her husband was coming home after working in the mud all day and washing in a bucket of cold rainwater.
“Being able to have a hot shower at the end of a hard day, just wash off and reset, that’s what they said they loved about them. Trying to wash all the silt off by dipping your hands in a bucket just isn’t the same.”
In April, Scott and the team made a fourth trip to pick up some of the showers that were no longer required and move them to new locations for people in need.
“I think this will be the way for a while now, as the situation is worse than ever in some areas unfortunately,” he says. “Some of the stories are heartbreaking to hear.”
Winning Project of the Year at the 2023 New Zealand Plumbing Awards in May came as a bit of a shock to Scott and was yet another humbling part of the whole process. He says it’s been great being able to message
some of the people who donated time and money and give them another reason to be proud of what they achieved.
“This was a community project, not a company project,” he explains. “It just grew so fast and reached so much further than we expected and everyone that helped in one way or another has a lot to be proud of. We owe a huge thank you to so many companies and individuals, including our local contact, Cedric Knowles in Eskdale, who’s been a legend.
“It’s amazing what people can do when they pull together in times of need. There is still so much to be done to rebuild the affected areas and we all need to remember that.
“I’ve never been a part of doing something like this for other people, and it’s made me more aware of the importance of going out of your way for people when they need it. It can be something little— it doesn’t take much.”
At Rinnai, we’re constantly thinking of ways to improve our products. Which is why we’ve transformed our ever-popular Rinnai INFINITY® A26 Graphite™ continuous flow hot water system. This new graphite coloured option has been specially designed to blend in with the darker exteriors of today’s homes, all while allowing your client to enjoy the benefits of endless hot water. For a home your clients would love to live in, turn to www.rinnai.co.nz/graphite
Your experts in total home living.
Hydraloop uses water twice, reducing total in-home water consumption by up to 45%. It does this by recycling and cleaning water from showers, baths and washing machines, using a patented six-step process. The processed water can then be used again for toilet flushing, washing machines, garden irrigation and topping up swimming pools, providing clean and safe water that meets the highest international standards for commercial and residential use.
Hydraloop offers two models: the H300 and H600.
H300 is designed for single family homes and processes up to 540 litres of water per day
H600 is designed for larger properties, such as office buildings and gyms, and can process up to 1,000 litres of water per day.
For large commercial buildings, hotels, and other large-scale projects, Hydraloop H600 units can be configured in a ‘Cascade’ to increase recycling capacity.
There are two Hydraloop installation options. The device can be installed on a lower floor and the greywater from sources such as the shower or bath can be gravity fed into the device. Alternatively, it can be installed on the same floor and the greywater input via a lift pump.
The Hydraloop system treats water to use twice through a patented six-step process without the use of chemicals, filters or membranes. The system is managed by a central processor and each function carefully managed and controlled, and communicated to an App.
1. Sedimentation: Sediment is collected from the bottom of the processor tank and deposited through the sewer
2. Floatation: All floating dirt like soap and hair is trapped and collected at the top of the tank, then deposited via the skimmer to the sewer
3. Dissolved Air Floatation: Millions of air bubbles are injected and travel upwards in the centre of the tank, collecting suspended solids and organic matter and removing the dirt from the water via the skimmer
4. Foam Fractionation: Soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, solids, and organic matter are lifted out of the water and skimmed off, and automatically deposited to the sewer
5. MBBR: In the T2 tank, there is an MBBR (Moving Bed Bio Reactor)—an aerobic biological treatment. Oxygenated water is fed from T1 to T2 to stimulate the law of communicating vessels
6. UV Disinfection: The final step of the treatment process is disinfection by UV light. The water is transferred from the upper tank to the lower tank, passing the UV light. In the lower tank, stored water will pass the UV light every four hours, to be re-disinfected.
Every Hydraloop system connects to the Hydraloop Device Manager (HDM), an online monitoring system where the testing, verification, and activation of the device are conducted, as well as the
ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting. The HDM is monitored remotely by Hydraloop engineers, who are automatically notified if there are any issues with the device.
In addition to the HDM, the Hydraloop mobile app allows owners to control and monitor their system and access real-time information about their water usage and system maintenance.
With water shortages becoming increasingly common in New Zealand, Hydraloop is an excellent choice for New Zealanders to reduce water consumption, protect natural resources, and save money. As a renewable technology, Hydraloop helps reduce the demand for water from natural sources, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
The water industry should consider adding Hydraloop to their product offerings to provide their customers with innovative and sustainable solutions. They should also encourage Hydraloop Recycle Ready plumbing on any new build, so the property owner is easily able to have a Hydraloop unit installed whenever they like.
Hydraloop is a renewable technology set to change the way people use water in New Zealand, as Watersmart explains here.
A recent tour of renewable gas facilities in Australia showed participants the huge potential for similar opportunities in New Zealand. NZ Plumber looks at some of the projects across the Tasman, and some exciting developments underway here in Aotearoa.
AUTHOR: MATTHEW LOWE PHOTOGRAPHS: JANET CARSONGasNZ Chief Executive Janet Carson says the country’s transition to renewable gases looks set to become smoother with opportunities to piggyback off innovations and developments across the Tasman.
She was among a 20-strong group made up of GasNZ members, industry stakeholders, government officials and regulators that recently went on a five-day tour of renewable gas facilities in Australia.
Carson says seeing actual projects utilising biogas and hydrogen shows what may be possible here. The group’s trip in April included visits to a wastewater site, an
abattoir, a canola oil plant, a landfill operation and a world-class training facility.
“The visit completely shifted some people’s thinking on the scale of possibility for biogas in New Zealand,” she says.
“Seeing really was believing. You can hear about facilities using biogas to generate electricity onsite and it sounds impressive but not always terribly tangible. But when you turn up and see how the operations are separating food waste—for example, what’s needed for it to be digested, and then producing biogas and feeding it into a product— it’s really impactful.
“It showed us many things that are possible and that we can learn from and replicate for our own environment.”
Carson says one of the most important takeaways from the trip was that there is energy in waste, and by processing it into biomethane there is a solution to decarbonise gas. Businesses in Australia have expressed an interest in helping New Zealand ramp up its renewable gas ventures, with people here also keen to tap into such knowledge.
“We’ve now got some good contacts in Australia who want to help us because there’s a business opportunity for them,” says Carson.
“There’s also a chance for us to piggyback off their renewable energy ambitions and use some of what they’re doing here without the upfront investment around R&D because they’re already doing it.
Dr Grant Bourke, commercial hot water for Rinnai, was among the speakers at this year’s NZ Plumbing Conference in Christchurch, and discussed why renewable gas needs to be part of the energy mix for New Zealand.
He says the following renewable gases are coming over the horizon:
Biomethane: Produced from waste products and able to be delivered into the natural gas transmission system.
Hydrogen blends: Hydrogen from electrolysers powered by renewable electricity. Many appliances can run on up to 20% or more hydrogen blends without any conversion required.
Bio-LPG: One good source is as a byproduct of bio-diesel manufacture and no change to appliances is required.
rDME: A promising substitute for current LPG or it can be used to blend with LPG
Hydrogen Park South Australia: First to deliver a renewable hydrogen blend, produced from water and renewable electricity using an electrolyser, to customers on the existing gas network in Australia.
Seaford Heights Southern Region Waste Resource Authority: Facility combining bioenergy and solar technologies to create renewable electricity. Utilises biogas generated by organic matter from landfill.
Yarra Valley Water ReWaste: Melbourne’s largest water utility diverts 33,000 tonnes of organic waste from landfill and creates around 8,600mWh in renewable energy annually.
Logan City Biosolids Gasification Facility: Transforms biosolids from human waste into renewable energy and biochar in an Australian-first project.
Melbourne Bioenergy Hub: (see photos, left).
Goulburn Bioenergy Project: (see photo overleaf).
MSM Milling: (see photo overleaf). Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre: (see photo on previous page).
“We’re needing to come up to speed on a range of issues related to renewable gases, but we won’t have to spend as long doing that if we tap into what we can learn from Australia and other countries.”
Carson notes there are differences between the two markets, with Australia’s gas industry heavily subsidised and receiving significant investment from federal and state governments. This was made evident by the federal government announcing in May the establishment of a A$2 billion (NZ$2.1b) Hydrogen Headstart initiative to underwrite the biggest green hydrogen projects to be built in Australia.
The funding will provide revenue support for investment in renewable hydrogen production through competitive production contracts.
A number of the projects the group visited also only use renewable gas to generate their own electricity onsite, whereas New Zealand is looking to deliver it directly to homes and businesses instead of natural gas.
The group’s Australian trip finished with a visit to the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre in Queensland—a dedicated training facility that offers the chance to work on biogas, hydrogen and mixed facilities.
Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace was among the touring group and says the
to reduce effective carbon emissions. It is made from all sorts of waste products. It can be burned, transported, and stored the same as LPG is currently. However, it is corrosive to some rubbers, so further work may be needed by industry before it can be used in some appliances.
Bourke adds the current range of Rinnai gas hot water appliances are suitable for up to 20% hydrogen blended into natural gas and biomethane/BioLPG that will be commercially available.
“Rinnai is committed to releasing appliances that will be suitable for the range of gases that will be available,” he says.
He adds the industry should consider condensing water heaters for their customers, such as the Rinnai EF26 and N56, which are ready for renewable gases and able to save 8-12% on emissions and running costs.
Gasfitters should also look for appliances suitable for use with renewable gases and
to ensure piping systems in consumer premises are appropriate for 100% hydrogen, if a natural gas installation, and if possible DME, if an LPG installation.
Bourke recommends avoiding installations using limited on-site gas production with appliances, as the “nasties” in the gas will not have been removed.
“Ecogas/Firstgas are going to extensive lengths to ensure the gas quality is the same as current gas sources,” he says.
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Firstgas Group is preparing to use biogas produced from organic waste and turn it into a product mixed with natural gas that will be injected into New Zealand’s pipeline network from March next year.
An agreement with biogas producer Ecogas will see waste collected by Auckland Council and other food scraps processed into enough renewable gas to supply the equivalent of 7,200 homes.
The project at the Ecogas Reporoa Organics Processing Facility is the first of its kind in New Zealand but it is hoped it will pave the way for other similar operations.
Peter Sandston, Commercial Lead – Future Fuels at Firstgas, explains other opportunities to do this include using existing sources of biogas from the likes of wastewater treatment plants and landfills.
“The first and largest challenge is an economic one,” he adds. “Renewable gas projects receive no direct financial incentives here, unlike other countries such as in Europe and the US.
“Although some renewable gas technologies such as anaerobic digestion (AD) are well established in other countries, they are only just being deployed here at commercial scale.”
Besides the need to increase local expertise and supply chains, AD also requires a change in how we consider and manage our waste.
Sandston notes there is a wealth of experience overseas in renewable gas technologies, and also innovation in New Zealand including companies looking at how to improve the speed of AD and devising new materials to reduce the need for rare earth minerals in hydrogen electrolysers. He predicts gas will continue to be essential for many industries. Renewable gases will provide a future in a net zero world for these businesses along with the opportunity for new industries to grow, such as domestic production of renewable fuels.
“Renewable gas can allow businesses to continue to leverage the benefits of gas whilst progressing to achieve net zero ambitions. These benefits include the flexibility, versatility, affordability, resilience and high energy deliverability of gas.”
Greens Tapware - designed and engineered in NZ since 1935 – fostering the plumbing industry today for a bright future tomorrow. greenstapware.com
option to put biogas into our reticulated network is a “great opportunity” and he is also keen to see further developments around the use of hydrogen.
His wish may come true after the New Zealand government promised $100 million for the green hydrogen economy in Southland as part of its Budget 2023.
One thing he took from the Australian visit was that there’s not a lot of difference between natural gas and biogas when it comes to its application, but using hydrogen will require specialised training.
Wallace notes hydrogen training will eventually need to be part of the normal qualifications for gasfitters and he says the Queensland centre is an inspiration for what is needed here.
“They have made all the plans of the facility available and the key for New Zealand is getting the required funding to build a specialised facility,” he says.
“There’s no doubt that we’re going to need a gas training facility but one that is reflective of our size and affordability.
“We’re a little bit behind Australia and other parts of the world right now but it would be nice to see a facility available here in a year or two.”
Rinnai have two types of system for larger domestic and commercial potable hot water applications:
Multiple Rinnai INFINITY commercial model water heaters, electronically connected
One or more Rinnai INFINITY water heaters, connected to one or more insulated storage vessels.
The control board of each Rinnai Infinity is wired to the others in the set. One unit is designated as ‘primary’ with the others ‘secondary’. Up to 25 units can be connected, giving an output of over 1400kW.
When there is no hot water demand, the system selects a unit to be on standby, with its internal water flow control valve in the open position. The other units fully close their water flow valves. When a hot tap is turned on the system opens the water flow valves of additional units as required to meet demand.
Active units are rotated, so all units have equal time operating. This increases the economic life of the Rinnai Infinities and reduces maintenance. In the unlikely event a unit experiences a fault, that unit will fully close its water flow valve and the system will select another boiler to operate.
A single temperature controller can be connected to the primary unit to control the temperature of the entire system.
A Rinnai Infinity is certified for use as a potable water appliance. This makes them straightforward to combine with storage vessels. No calorifier coils or heat exchangers, filling loops, dosing pots, or expansion chambers are required.
A temperature sensor in the tank is connected to a pump controller. When the temperature in the tank drops to a determined level, the pump is started. The Rinnai Infinity detects the flow and heats the water. Once the temperature reaches the tank set temperature, the pump switches off. It is important to maintain a temperature differential between the Rinnai Infinity set point and the pump-off temperature. A minimum of 10°C differential is preferred. The usual settings are: pump ON: 55°C, pump OFF 60°C, Rinnai Infinity: 70°C or 75°C.
Note: only commercial model Rinnai Infinities can be set to 70°C or higher. Setting the pump OFF temperature at or close to the Rinnai Infinity set temperature will result in high wear and maintenance costs.
Rinnai provides an overview of options for larger potable hot water applications—and some guidance on which to select for your project.
There are four main decision criteria. If any of these criteria suggest a quick recovery storage system then that is probably the best option.
1. Gas supply availability
Is the installation connected to a gas reticulation system or bottled LPG?
If the customer is connected to a reticulation system and the site piping has sufficient capacity, multiple continuous flow can be considered.
Where the customer plans to use 45kg cylinders, up to three Rinnai Infinities can be run simultaneously if a suitably certified electric blanket is fitted to a single cylinder. See https://vaporgas.co.nz/ products/vapor-booster/
Where more than two 45kg cylinders are needed, a site location certificate may be required. This will require an annual inspection for renewal. A quick recovery storage system limits peak gas use and may allow a system to operate on an LPG twin-pack.
2. Does the system need to operate on low water pressure?
Rinnai continuous flow water heaters need a minimum of 200-300 kPa to operate at full capacity. If a system is required to operate on low water pressure, a Rinnai Demand Rapid quick recovery storage system may be preferable.
3. What is the pattern of water use?
Is the pattern of water use lots of very small draws (eg, basins at a theatre) or a few long draws (eg, all the showers at a school dormitory run for 20 minutes)?
Lots of very small hot water draws are suited to a system incorporating storage. Long high draws are usually best handled by multiple Rinnai Infinities. Short, high flow rate draws are bread and butter for the Demand Rapid quick recovery storage system. This is why you will find it in many launderettes in New Zealand.
In hotels and apartment buildings, a combination of multiple Rinnai Infinities and storage is usually selected. The peak hour water use is matched to the number of Rinnai Infinities. Storage equivalent to 20% of the peak hour is provided to supply any short-term peak loads that might occur in the peak hour.
4. Is never running out of hot water a good thing or really bad thing?
Sometimes running out of hot water is a good thing. In rugby clubs with common shower areas, it is not uncommon for a group of players to stand under the shower with a beer until the hot water runs out.
With multiple Rinnai Infinities this will be never, which creates a very high gas (and water) bill for a club that may be of limited means.
In these cases, the best solution might be a quick recovery storage system carefully sized to provide a reasonable volume of hot water and with sufficient recovery to ensure hot water is available when the next team comes off the field.
Where it is essential that hot water never runs out, multiple Rinnai Infinities are the answer.
Remember that a quick recovery storage system relies on the circulating pump operating to drive water through the attached Rinnai Infinity. Rinnai strongly recommends dual pumps are used in commercial accommodation applications and anywhere else hot water is mission critical. Without this, you are only a pump failure away from no hot water.
Pumps seem to have a habit of failing at 4.30pm on the Thursday before Easter.
For assistance in selecting your next large domestic or commercial hot water system, please contact the Rinnai commercial hot water team on 0800 RINNAI, 0800 746 624. Look out for the Rinnai training team running courses in your area on these solutions during 2023.
Range expanded to include larger, lower cost enamel storage cylinders.
Dual, active/standby primary pump available. Manifold 2 or more for larger applications.
Available with all of the Rinnai INFINITY commercial range: HD49, HD56, N56.
Suitable for:
• Large residential homes with ring mains and spa baths
• Accommodation with up to 40 people 1
• Laundromats
• Sports clubs where gas supply is limited
1 Auckland/Northland with 40 litres per person at 60 °C
rinnai.co.nz
0800 RINNAI
The safer way to never lose a plug again! Is testing storm water and sewer systems one of the biggest thorns in your side? Look no further than the K-Valve: a safe and highly efficient testing and inspection device, designed to streamline testing sewer and stormwater systems used in all residential, commercial, and industrial environments.
The simplicity of the K-Valve design allows for easy install, using the multi-faceted K-Valve as the standard inspection and test opening, applying the separate test plug in a 15 second process during the testing phase, and finalising the process with the permanent plug and cap. The unique K-Valve test plug controls the flow of water
Hydraloop is an innovative water recycling appliance that’s making waves in the plumbing and sustainability industries. It is the first of its kind in New Zealand, offering a groundbreaking solution for water conservation. Hydraloop recycles water from household and commercial sources such as showers, baths, and sinks, purifies it, then distributes it for reuse in toilets, irrigation systems, and other non-potable water applications.
By recycling water, Hydraloop can save water consumption by up to 45%, and decrease wastewater by 45%. Additionally, Hydraloop can lead to significant savings on water bills, and reduces the user’s carbon footprint, as less water is required to be transported to and from buildings.
As members of the water industry, it is important to be aware of the benefits
by a simple quarter turn relief valve, eliminating injuries to the wrists, hands and fingers. An additional test plug feature is the pneumatic functionality, allowing for water saving opportunities.
Designed to directly improve business efficiency in safety (reduction of LTIs), labour time (no more arduous plug installs or lost plugs) and value for money, optimising any plumbing business. This revolutionary product is WaterMark approved, BEP pending, patented and available through all plumbing suppliers.
Want to know more? Contact MM Brands on 0800 536 252; sales@mmbrands.co.nz
of Hydraloop and to recommend it to clients who are interested in reducing their environmental impact, water bills, and contributing to a sustainable future. By installing Hydraloop, we can work together
to preserve one of our most precious resources—our blue taonga.
Find out more at www.watersmart.co.nz/products/hydraloop
The Veil toilet features an elongated pan shape to maximise seating comfort, with an extra 25mm space adding to the pan projection. The toilet is available in two different seats: Slim or 2K Slim (Double Injection).
Double Injection, also known as 2 material 2 shot moulding, or 2K molding, is an innovative manufacturing process used to produce complicated moulded parts from two different materials through a highly specialised and automated process.
This creates a complex surface texture, enhancing the appearance of the toilet seat. Because the 2
Milwaukee have released the latest solution in their range of plumbing hand tools. The Aluminium Offset Pipe Wrench (48227184, 48227185, 48227182) has been designed to assist you in maximising your productivity on the job and is available in three different lengths (14”, 18” and 24”).
The narrow offset jaw gives you better access and allows for up to 3 points of contact for a secure grip whilst working in a confined space and is a great solution for overhead applications. The jaw design is parallel
materials are bonded in a single moulding operation, its structural integrity is as good as a single material moulding part.
Other features include:
S trap setout range: 90-140mm
WELS 4.5/3 litre washdown flush with vario connector and offset pan collar included Trip Lever allows flushing while seated Kohler White Vitreous China.
For more information visit www.kohler.co.nz
to the handle, making it easier to use one handed, and features an ergonomic handle, which gives you extra support and comfort throughout the day. Milwaukee stand behind their product and offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty with all pipe wrenches.
To book a visit from your local Milwaukee Job Site Solutions rep, visit www.milwaukeetool.co.nz/jobsite-solutions
HydroTap Clean is a first-to-market cleaning process that is conducted as part of the installation process of a Zenith HydroTap. HydroTap Clean is a safe, natural, certified organic, pH neutral, and
The Makita 40Vmax XGT
Brushless AWS 20mm
biodegradable solution, which is produced by electrochemically activated water that acts like a detergent. It is non-corrosive and gently cleans the chilled and sparkling internal water paths.
Previously HydroTap units were cleaned as part of the manufacturing process and before they are sold. Service technicians will be able to perform the onsite cleaning without adding any more time to the installation process.
The new Oli One universal inlet valve answers every plumber’s challenge. The plastic shank and adaptors set with a plastic connection make Oli One compatible with most in-wall, exposed or ceramic cisterns.
Features:
Rotary Hammer – SDS-Plus (HR010GZ, tool only) is a cordless concrete solution designed for heavy-load applications. It delivers the power, speed and run-time for corded demands, without the cord. The Makita-built brushless motor delivers a full 2.0J of impact energy, with 0-1,510RPM and 0-5,000 BPM. Constant speed control automatically applies additional power under load for optimum performance.
It features Active Feedback-Sensing Technology (AFT®), which electronically turns off the motor if rotation of bit is suddenly forced to stop, and Anti-Vibration Technology (AVT®). More than just a padded handle, AVT is an internal counterbalance that uses air pressure to move counterweight pistons in the opposite direction of the drive piston to actively reduce vibration, the vibration-absorbing back handle and side handle further reduce vibration.
For added durability in harsh job site conditions, Extreme Protection Technology (XPT™) is engineered for improved dust and water resistance.
Side water connection with ⅜” brass or ⅜” plastic
Delayed refilling inlet valve starts after outlet valve is in the close position
Silent inlet valve
Counter pressure hydraulic closing system
Working pressure 35-500Kpa
Anti-backflow function
Adaptors supplied for fitting
High performance in dirty water.
Compatible cisterns: OLI120, Giada (1998 - 2010), BETTER, QUADRA, Diamante 03 - 13, Diamante 00 -02, Diamante 93 - 99, Expert Plus, Expert/Corner, Geberit Twiline UP170 (1989 - 2004), Geberit Duofix Sigma 12, Geberit Duofix Sigma 8 | Alpha 8 | Unica UP720, Geberit Omega, Geberit Monolith | Monolith Plus, Geberit Delta12, Grohe Cassetta Sciaquo Italiana 80MM, Grohe Rapid SL | Rapid SLX, Tece Box Basic, Tece Tece 1120, Viega Eco Plus, ITS Todin Hidrobox, Valsir Medusa, Valsir Tropea-tropea 2 (2004 - 2012), Valsir Cubik, Valsir Evolut | Winner, Valsir Rios | Rios2 | Egea, Roca ONe WC, roca basic one wc compact, duravit durasystem 115cm, mepa varivit, bampi bsilent, kariba pratika, cassetta esterna | exposed cistern, cassetta in ceramica | ceramic tank Available through Robertson Trade: www.robertsontrade.co.nz
The Iplex Rainwater™ Systems unique fitting range with rubber ring joint design offers a simple clip in solution reducing assembly time and the need for solvent cement jointing of the spouting profiles.
The newly designed tempering valve union seal has a recess groove on its face which houses a semi recessed EPDM O-ring, making a perfect watertight seal without the need for fibre washers.
EPDM rubber
O-ring, creates a watertight seal
1 Easy Installation
2 Easy Cleaning
3 Easy Repairs & Maintenance
4 BRANZ Appraised
5 15 Year Product Warranty
• TROUBLE SHOOTING
• TIPS AND TRICKS & MORE
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Union Nut
A new level of protection from costly water damage
MultiSafe Leak Detector Control Valve by Reliance Valves provides ultimate leak detection and intelligent water management by constantly measuring water flow rate, pressure, temperature, and hardness. When unusually high usage is detected or water is running for a long period of time, the isolating valve automatically shuts off the water supply and sends an instant alert by text or email. Even the smallest leak is detected thanks to microleak testing at regular intervals.
• Up to 200% faster cutting 100mm steel pipe with 6mm thickness than the 18V LXT equivalent
• Constant speed control, blade speed remains constant under heavy load for faster cutting
• Variable speed via trigger and dial for controlled cutting in various materials
• High durability aluminium frame for stable cutting up to 127x127mm
www.makita.co.nz/products/model/PB002GZ
Whether you have a team of one or thousands, cashflow is essential to a successful business. It’s also an area a lot of tradies struggle with.
Recent studies from ANZ Bank showed that 82% of SMEs fail due to cashflow issues—yet 69% of these businesses were profitable.
In other words, 69% of those businesses failed not because they were making losses but because they ran out of money to pay suppliers, wages and other expenses to keep
going. With better cashflow, many of those businesses likely would have survived.
Doctors know that without oxygen, water and food, you cannot survive. Without oxygen, you will last around 3 minutes, without water 3 days and without food 3 weeks. It doesn’t matter how fit or healthy you are right now—without these 3 essentials you will not survive.
Cash is the oxygen that keeps your business going. Not convinced? How many
days will your business last without cash in the bank? Here are 5 proven cashflow strategies all tradies need to keep the bank account full and stress levels low.
Coal miners would always take a canary in a cage into the mine to see if it was safe. This was their early warning sign. If there was a lack of oxygen and/or
With the current uncertain environment, it’s essential to have plans in place to handle cashflow.
AUTHOR: DANIEL FITZPATRICK, NEXT LEVEL TRADIE
dangerous gases, the canary was the first to be affected. If the canary died or looked unwell, they would drop tools and act immediately while there was still time.
When it comes to cashflow, your canary might be that you’re behind with bills every single week, have too many overdue accounts, or perhaps that warning letter from the IRD.
These are all warning signs that need immediate attention. It might be making an arrangement with the IRD, chasing overdue invoices, or getting more work. But don’t leave it. Act now before cashflow gets out of control.
Look for the warning signs early. We always equip our clients with our tradie dashboard, which gives a snapshot of each important part of the business and identifies the early warning signs where cashflow will be affected and needs attention.
In music, rhythm is defined as ‘the underlying structure that holds all the other elements of music together’. In your business, you also have a rhythm for cashflow. But is it one that supports or hinders?
Are you always scrambling to pay the monthly wages, chasing the next dollar to stay ahead for another month? Waking up at 3am realising you forgot the GST is due tomorrow?
Or is it a streamlined symphony, where your business has a steady flow of cash to pay all the bills and then some? Where large jobs have payment terms structured with cashflow in mind, invoices are always sent out on time, a team member regularly follows up payments and there is a healthy cash buffer in both your cheque and tax accounts.
With the right systems in place, key team members taking responsibility, and regular check-in points, you can have a predictable rhythm with much less stress and a healthy cash buffer.
The numbers will show you how much cash you have available and what is required in the future.
You should be watching your cash position (what’s left once you’ve collected all the money owed and paid everyone), cashflow forecast (what your bank account is going to look like over the next few weeks/months), overdues, Profit and Loss (are you making money or digging a hole?).
Be careful to make sure your numbers are accurate. I see a lot of builders who have profit figures that look great one month and then terrible the next. This can be a timing
issue around when deposits are taken or invoicing stages on larger projects. Which can really skew your figures, big time. We usually have a work-in-progress calculation added to the profit and loss to allow for this.
One of the first things I do when working with clients is check if their numbers are correct and show them which ones are most important. Over 50% of the time, their numbers are wrong.
Wrong information leads to bad decisions. You don’t want to be buying that new ute with cash and then discovering there’s not enough to pay the taxes due next month.
Now you have the numbers, identify your location and where you want to go. A map will show the way.
If you are travelling from Auckland to Dunedin by car, and you only have a map of Canada, that’s not going to help. Many tradies are using the wrong map, or no map at all, for their cashflow.
One of my clients had plenty of work on but was worried about increasing the team even though the work was profitable. The problem is, they were using their old map, which was: ‘Grab anyone who’s available and hope it works out.’ It didn’t.
This time is different. They have the right map, a system for attracting and identifying the right team members, a cashflow forecast, so there are no surprises when payroll comes around, have identified the best and most profitable jobs, and are building a cash buffer for the first few weeks while the new team members get up to speed. All geared to optimising cashflow.
Do you go into a tailspin every morning when you check the bank account and see you’ll have to follow up the late payers yet again? That voice in your head starts playing. It’s just not fair… We work so hard... Why us…?
Or maybe you know you need to get into the office this afternoon and do that invoicing you’ve been putting off all month but then decide to stay on the tools instead. You get home and argue with your partner (who pays the bills) about why there is no money in the account and then feel guilty for the rest of the night that you still haven’t done the invoicing.
Procrastination kills momentum, splits your focus, and creates emotional thinking rather than being strategic.
The bank account doesn’t care how you feel or how hard you work. Ultimately, it’s just a reflection of the choices (good and bad) you make, the systems you put in place for collection, the clients you decide to work with, the overdraft facility you arrange, and the types of jobs you take on.
When you replace emotion with strategy, cashflow gets much simpler and less stressful. You make time in your week for the important things like invoicing, following up overdues, getting your team in sync and cashflow forecasting. Now you have laser focus on what needs to be done and when and who is responsible for completion.
Master this game and your business and bank account will improve significantly.
These strategies work best when you use them consistently, and they are even more important as you grow your business. Also be aware that as your business and the economy changes, you will need to keep adjusting. Many things can disrupt short-term cashflow, as the last couple of years have proven with shifting schedules, material shortages, losing or adding key team members, holidays, lockdowns, sick leave, or maybe being in a growth phase for your business. These all affect cashflow.
One of my largest clients is very profitable and has grown significantly over the past few years—yet at times they still face cashflow challenges. But because we have put in place these principles and systems, they are much better equipped to handle the surprises that come their way.
Cashflow is the oxygen of your business. Make sure you get it right and your business will thrive.
I have recently been assisting an employer with an MBIE investigation, which involved providing details on how the employer managed their people’s employment and recordkeeping.
This process highlighted the need for employers to keep detailed timesheet records from their employees. As an employer, you must keep wage and time, and holiday and leave records that comply with the Employment Relations Act 2000 and the Holidays Act 2003. In particular, you must be able to show you have given your employees all minimum employment entitlements, such as the minimum wage and annual holidays.
If an employment agreement states a timesheet must be kept to record hours worked, then this must be provided to the employer, so it can be processed for payroll purposes but also for legal compliance.
Keeping timesheet records is important for several reasons, including:
Employers are required by law to keep accurate records of employee
July is already here, wow! Over halfway through the year already—life is seriously not slowing down anytime soon. With this in mind, it’s increasingly important, especially in the winter months, that we take time to step back and look after ourselves.
The key here is to acknowledge when you feel the need to take a moment for some self-reflection. If you are feeling high levels of stress, anxiety, or even physical fatigue, recognising these feelings will enable you to help minimise them. Although this can be hard to do during the daily 9 to 5, try to connect with friends and family during the week to help you decompress.
Spend some time outside to appreciate the world we live in, keep doing your hobbies, or even challenge yourself by
working hours and other employment-related information to ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations. Timesheet records are used to calculate employee wages and salaries accurately and process payroll. They are also necessary for billing clients accurately based on the time spent on a project or task. Timesheet records can be used to evaluate employee performance and productivity. By tracking time spent on various tasks, managers can identify areas where employees may need additional support or training.
Timesheet records can be useful for project management, particularly for tracking progress and estimating future workloads. They can also help managers to allocate resources and prioritise tasks.
To sum up, keeping timesheet records is essential for ensuring legal compliance, accurate payroll and billing, performance evaluation, project management and legal protection.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lisa Duston from the Master Plumbers HR team is available to Master Plumbers members to discuss any employee situation. Contact Lisa on 021 245 1704 or email lduston@masterplumbers.org.nz
trying something new. Don’t become complacent with your mental and emotional health. It is too important, and small adjustments to day-to-day life can dramatically help improve your mood.
A great model to use when looking at overall wellbeing, or Hauora Māori, is the Whare Tapa Whā meeting house with its four walls: Taha Tinana (physical wellbeing), Taha Wairua (spiritual wellbeing), Taha Whānau (family wellbeing) and Taha Hinengaro (mental and emotional wellbeing).
Some of you may already have encountered this model, developed by Māori health advocate Sir Mason Durie in 1984. Its core message is that the structure can only stand tall when all four walls are in balance. It emphasises the importance of looking after all aspects of ourselves, every day, to ensure we can stand tall.
Taha Hinengaro is often neglected but is very important in the workplace and can make the difference between your work being enjoyable or not. Take control of your life and make it what you want it to be.
Need to talk? Master Plumbers members and their teams can get in touch with registered social worker Kereama Carmody on the 0800 Wellbeing Number during normal business hours. Details in the member log-in at www.masterplumbers.org.nz (under Wellbeing on Tap).
on tap
Fuelling your body with a good breakfast will keep you going during those long, physical work hours, advises Kelly Hyland.
Sleep, eat, work, repeat. For many of us in the trade industry, this is our life right now. It’s a busy time and when you’re up at early hours, it’s easy to skip breakfast.
However, ‘breaking our fast’ sets us up for the day. As well as keeping us energised, alert, and focused, breakfast done right manages our weight and overall nutrition requirements, with many ‘breakfast foods’ containing important nutrients for a healthy heart and strong bones.
For our non-breakfast eaters and convenience food ‘breakfasters’ (think energy drink, or coffee and bakery grabbers), being open-minded is key. You may feel you’re fine because your body is used to it. But you could feel healthier and work better with some proper morning nourishment!
Breakfast eaters have it better with:
Wholegrain toast with:
• Peanut butter & cottage cheese
• Avocado & sliced tomato
• Eggs & mushrooms
• Baked beans & spinach
Wholesome cereals with milk and/or yoghurt + fruit/nuts/seeds:
• Oats, porridge or bran
• Wholewheat biscuits
• Natural or homemade muesli
Fruit or vegetable smoothies made with milk and/or yoghurt
Short for time?
Make breakfast in advance and enjoy on the way to work:
Mix oats, fruit, nuts/seeds with milk and/
or yoghurt and refrigerate overnight. Add a splash of extra milk just before leaving Keep a batch of breakfast muffins in the deep freeze
Prep your smoothie in the evening and whizz it up in the morning
Store breakfast foods in the office/ workshop/van.
Not hungry?
Try something light—eg, banana or plain yoghurt with fruit/nuts/seeds
Milky Milo or Up & Go
Eat dinner earlier and reduce your evening meal portion size.
Check out Kelly’s nutritional breakfast recipes at www.masterplumbers.org.nz/recipes
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kelly Hyland (NZRD) is the General Manager at Alex Hyland Plumbing Ltd. She has a Masters in Dietetics and Graduate Diploma in Teaching. She is passionate about improving health and wellbeing in the trade industry.
When it comes to marketing, quick-fix content might tick a box on your list, but will it meet your long-term goals?
Recipe for disappointment: Random, reactive, and radio silence Blasting out reactive or random marketing materials will leave you feeling disappointed—or that marketing does not work. Similarly, radio silence between blasts will weaken your presence and diminish any past, and perhaps future, marketing efforts.
Recipe for results: Purpose, proactive, and consistent
You’ve probably heard it before: consistency is key with marketing. It sings through in the results we see time and time again across all our client marketing at SideKit. Consistency means understanding your key messages, and marketing regularly and proactively with purpose.
We want to tell you our secret recipe for success: the campaign mindset. This is a long-term strategy, based on turning a key message into multiple types of content across multiple channels to reach multiple customer touchpoints. Whether you are new in business or well-established, the campaign mindset is a fundamental marketing tool if you want to see consistent engagement from your target market. It is a proactive method that gains greater reach—and, most importantly, results.
Method:
Define your key goal.
Example: showcasing your residential renovation projects
Break this theme down into realistic timeframes for focus.
Example: promoting one renovation project per month
Consider the different messages you want to share within that theme—and in what order.
Example: a promotional offering, past project examples, client testimonials, or your Master Plumbers Guarantee Decide on your customer call to action.
Example: book a complimentary quote today; book your project by the end of this month for your chance to win our draw prize Decide where you will share your messages.
Example: web, email, Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn Decide how and when you want to share on each channel.
Example: an email, Google Ads and social media advertising campaign, directed to a dedicated landing page for residential renovation projects on your website. Pull all the material together into a CAMPAIGN, ready and waiting for launch day!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: There is a method behind all successful marketing recipes. Book a free intro call with SideKit to define your key ingredients today. SideKit is a virtual marketing management and assistance business, supporting businesses across New Zealand. Sidekit.nz
AUTHOR: BRETT CROMBIE, STRAIGHTEDGE ACCOUNTING
Few things in the life of a business owner are as unwelcome as an Inland Revenue (IR) review or audit. Regardless of the care and attention a business owner puts into their accounting and tax affairs, there is always the possibility that one day IR may take a closer look.
Recently the IR released a Standard Practice Statement (SPS 23/01) that sets out the ‘disputes process’ in some detail. The document describes the phases that occur when a tax dispute arises, starting from the initial tax assessment (the filing of a return) and ending with resolution of the issue at one of several potential stages—or adjudication if a resolution cannot be reached.
The process is designed to encourage an ‘all cards on the table’ approach, aiming to come to an agreement between the taxpayer and IR at an early stage and without the need for costly litigation.
The IR will first undertake the review or audit activity. This may involve going through business records and interviewing the business
owner. After this is completed, if the IR decides the tax returns filed by the taxpayer were incorrect, the following phases will occur:
Phase 1: Notice of proposed adjustment (NOPA) is issued by Inland Revenue. This is a formal document that advises the taxpayer that the tax returns they filed were incorrect. The document states what the corrected tax returns will be, along with the tax shortfall to pay.
Phase 2: Notice of response (NOR) is issued by the taxpayer if they disagree with the NOPA. Alternatively, the taxpayer may choose to agree to the NOPA, in which case the dispute will come to an end.
Phase 3: Disputes conference is held if there is still no resolution. This can be one or more formal or informal meetings between the parties aiming to resolve the matter.
Phase 4: Statement of Position (SOP) is issued by each party should no resolution result from the disputes conference. This is a more thorough form of the NOPA, providing an outline of the issues, facts, evidence and law.
Phase 5: SOPs are referred to Inland Revenue’s Tax Counsel Office (TCO) for adjudication. The TCO is set up to provide an internal but impartial review of the unresolved dispute. Adjudication is the final phase of the disputes process before the tax assessment is amended.
In an ideal situation, the review will stop before Phase 1 even begins. When an IR officer asks for further information about some aspect of the business and there turns out to be no issue identified, there will be no need to go through these phases.
For this reason, keeping tidy records, ideally in a bookkeeping system, such as XERO or MYOB, will ensure you can provide the requested information with minimal time and effort.
Receiving notice of a tax review or audit is a daunting prospect for most business owners. Knowing there is a well-defined process can help alleviate the stress. Guidance from your accountant is also highly valuable. He or she will be used to dealing with IR and will be well placed to help you navigate the steps to resolving the issue.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Brett Crombie is a trade specialist accountant at Straightedge Accounting. For assistance developing a business plan, or for tax and accounting services, contact Brett on 021 301 022 or email brett.crombie@straightedge.nz
This edition, Brett Crombie outlines what to expect if Inland Revenue carries out a tax audit or review at your business–and steps to make the process as painless as possible.
Keeping tidy records will ensure you can provide the requested information with minimal time and effort.
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New TRAFIC has been thoughtfully redesigned to give you the freedom and flexibility in how you run your business, while remaining comfortable and practical. Plus, with new safety, driver assistance and connectivity features, New TRAFIC is built for the future.
Special pricing is also available for Master Plumbers members. Visit our website and register your interest in this new model today. renault.co.nz/new-trafic
Andrew Smith is not your average apprentice. He was one of 10 Masterlink Outward Bound Scholarship winners this year and one of three 2023 Plumbing World Scholarship winners. We discover that the secret to his success is a winning attitude.
AUTHOR: JE T’AIME HAYRAndrew’s interest in plumbing sparked when he attended a Gateway Programme organised through his school, St Patrick’s College in Wellington. He worked at EG Glennie & Co each Friday, and owner Mike Gooch soon spotted his potential.
“Finding good tradespeople is a lot of work, so we get another first-year apprentice every time one qualifies,” says Mike. “We encouraged Andrew to sign up with Masterlink and join us. And he’s gone from strength to strength.”
Mike looks for enthusiasm for learning and polite manners in apprentices. “They are big indicators as to how well someone will do. Andrew’s impeccable
manners and thirst for knowledge make him a standout,” he explains. “He ticks every box: always on time, keen and an all-rounder.”
Since starting his plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeship in 2019, Andrew has been mentored by his Masterlink Regional Manager Bob McCoy, who says, “Andrew has been an exceptional apprentice to mentor. He gets on with the job without question and has displayed a high skill level beyond what would normally be expected at this point in his career.”
Andrew has learned how to install and repair plumbing systems, diagnose problems, and has a fantastic grasp of new technologies like solar
water heating. “Andrew has a natural talent for plumbing,” says Mike. “He loves working on the highly technical stuff but is not afraid to get dirty drainlaying and is always willing to tackle new challenges.” Just as importantly, Andrew provides excellent customer service and cleans up after himself, which Mike says is crucial for getting repeat business.
The most challenging job Andrew faced was working on an off-grid house, 20 minutes’ drive on a dirt road into Wellington’s South coast from the Brooklyn wind turbine. “The entire project was very complex,” Mike explains. “We did the drainage, spouting, chimney flashings, gas hob and backup gas water heating. The house had an array of panels that generate electricity, on-site water treatment for waste, a radio system, and a wood burner gasification boiler, which is convoluted. All the water is collected from the roof and goes into various tanks.
“The gasification system heats a thousand litres of water circulating through the radiators and runs the house heating.
Another company had left the job after it proved too difficult, and they’d made many mistakes. Fixing it was like doing a jigsaw without the box.”
Not at all fazed by a tricky task, Andrew considers himself lucky to work on such a unique project. “I enjoy problem-solving and thinking through the process of fixing things,” he says. “The project involved every aspect of the plumbing industry. Plus, it was a whole new system we had to work through regarding layout. Mike and I worked closely to bounce ideas and work our way through the whole project.”
Variety is the spice of life in this industry— and Andrew appreciates that. “I love doing a bit of everything—maintenance jobs, residential renovations, some commercial work,” he says. He finds new technologies such as solar hot water systems particularly interesting. “It’s tough to figure it out sometimes, so it gets me thinking.”
Andrew has passed all his Tradesman registration exams with flying colours and is now sitting the Certifying Plumber, Gasiftter and Drainlayer exams. By this time next
year, he will be certified in all three trades and is excited about what the future holds.
“I am saving up for a house. After I’m certified, my next career goal is to see if I can start my own company one day,” he says. “I’m excited to continue growing in this industry.”
Andrew’s advice to anyone considering a career in plumbing is simple: “Show up on time with a good attitude and be ready to put in the hard yards. Be willing to learn from your mistakes and you’ll do well.”
Mike is confident that Andrew has a bright future. “He has all the qualities of a great plumber,” he says. “He’s reliable, skilled, and has a great attitude. Undoubtedly, he will continue to excel in his career.”
Andrew’s story is testament to the power of his hard work and dedication to his apprenticeship, and he has already proven himself a rising star. Because he entered his apprenticeship straight from school, Andrew has been profiled for Leaving School magazine and has featured on digital noticeboards in schools promoting apprenticeships to students. He and Mike have also both been photographed for the Masterlink website and brochures and are outstanding advocates for careers in the industry.
Peter McGlone is a third-generation plumber, but it was when he employed his first apprentice that his passion for the industry truly ignited.
Peter is the Programme Manager for Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying at EarnLearn | Te Pūkenga. He’s worked in the industry for more than 20 years, starting as an apprentice gasfitter before joining the family plumbing and gasfitting business.
“It’s in my blood,” says Peter. “Dad taught me the plumbing side of things. When he was younger, his dad worked in the business too.”
After starting his own plumbing and gasfitting business Peter employed his first apprentice. “I found it so satisfying to be able to mentor him and teach him the trade so he could build confidence and succeed in the industry.”
Peter says joining EarnLearn has let him turn the passion he has for supporting learners into his whole job. “It’s a dream role for me to have any sort of influence in the
development of learners. To help multiple apprentices grow and find strength is a real buzz and a real drive for me.
“I’m also really excited about our whole team. We’re all very passionate about the learners. They are the centre of every decision we make. It is great to be in an environment that is all about developing these young people.”
Peter’s best advice for learners is to remember they are not alone and to make the most of the people, and expertise around them. “Walk through your journey in partnership with others. Reach out to your employer, and your account manager. We are here to help.”
To find out more about PGD training and qualifications, visit earnlearn.ac.nz
We are looking for a Plumbing Tutor based at our Petone campus to facilitate teaching, learning and assessment for Gasfitting students. Teaching qualifications are not essential but would be an advantage. Experience in the industry with NZ or National Certificate in Plumbing, Drainlaying or Gasfitting and be a Licensed Practitioner or hold a Certifying qualification is a must. Applicants with multiple licence classes will be at an advantage as we are also interested in talking with Drainlayers and Gasfitters. Visit our Careers page and complete the online application form. Applications close on Monday, 31 July 2023.
Why work for Foleys?
• 13 Branches across NZ
• Heaps of variety – commercial/ domestic/new builds
• Relocation assistance
Find out more on our website or email hr@foleys.co.nz
www.foleys.co.nz/hiring
The cost to place a classified advertisement is $120+GST for Master Plumbers members; $200+GST for non-members. Email advertising@masterplumbers.org.nz Classified advertisements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Masterlink apprentice Sebastian Sekene admits to feeling ‘scared as’ when he arrived in Christchurch from Auckland for the annual NZ Plumbing Conference. At 22, he’s pretty sure he was the youngest person there—and soon found himself shoulder to shoulder with the big bosses of plumbing businesses from all around New Zealand.
“I didn’t know what went down at conference and it was pretty cool,” he says. “It opened my eyes.”
Not wanting to be that guy standing at the side on his own, Sebastian decided to step out of his comfort zone and join in with the general networking. “I thought, ‘What have I got to lose? It’s a waste of time being here otherwise.’”
At the welcome dinner on the first night, he went up to someone at random and launched into conversation. “A couple of days later, he was giving me tips at the driving range.”
A passing quip with the Marley team during the Trade Show also broke the ice, with Auckland-based Marley National Commercial Plumbing Manager Emma Ngatai since becoming a friend and staying in regular touch.
Before the conference, Sebastian had agreed to be on the Women and Diversity in Plumbing Discussion Panel—which, as it turned out, was to be the very last session on the final day. “It was at the back of my mind the whole time knowing I had to go up on stage,” he says. “Ten minutes before it started, I had my earphones on listening to gangster music to psych myself up!”
He needn’t have worried. The audience lapped up the session, empathising with the panellists’ first-night nerves, laughing along with their jokes, asking them heaps of questions and loving the honesty of their answers.
If Sebastian thought his moment in the limelight was over, he was wrong. Next minute he was back on stage again—this time at the 2023 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Night, having won a Plumbing World Scholarship worth $1,000, one of three presented to Masterlink apprentices for making great progress in their training.
By now he was in the swing of things and took the chance to give a speech. “I want to thank Master Plumbers and Masterlink for giving me the opportunity to come to this conference and see what it’s all about,” he
said. “I was so scared coming down and not knowing anyone pretty much. Thank you to my bosses Dale and Andrea and especially Tom [Poole, Heron Plumbing Contracts Manager] for always answering my calls when I need help.”
Sebastian also thanked the Marley team, to hoots of laughter. “You befriended me when I’m like: ‘I don’t know anyone here, can you please look after me? I’m just a little boy in a big man’s world right here.’”
He finished by saying how great it was to be at the event. “And my mum’s going to love this,” he said, holding his trophy aloft to cheers and whoops from the crowd.
The following Monday it was down to the earth with a bump—straight back to work and the Auckland traffic. “Busy, so busy, and flooding again,” he says.
Being part of the 2023 New Zealand Plumbing Conference was a real highlight for Sebastian Sekene.Sebastian Sekene is a 22-year-old Masterlink fourth-year plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting apprentice, hosted by Heron Plumbing in Auckland. He currently works in the commercial division of the business.
How did you get into ice hockey?
I’d swum competitively and done Half Ironmans and cycling but wanted to find a team sport. I went to a couple of ice hockey games in Vancouver when I was younger and enjoyed them, and became part of a Dunedin club before my children were born.
I came back to it a few years ago. I was part of a few committees and got more involved from there.
What do you like about the sport?
It’s under recognised—it’s like rugby, but faster, and with fewer stoppages. It has all the attributes Kiwis love.
People come to the games, and they’re amazed. The speed and skill of the top guys is incredible. Anyone can run around a pitch, but strap a pair of skates on and learn to skate... and that’s before you even learn how to play the game.
How did you get involved with the Dunedin Phoenix Thunder?
I started as the home game coordinator two years ago, which meant everything from when fans arrive to when they
depart: merchandise, alcohol sales, game flow, DJ booth, live stream and on-ice entertainment.
Last year we really started to ramp up the experience for the ticket holder. We would have activities between periods: human slingshot, recliner chair races across the ice, and bubble balls, which are mini Zorbs you run around and play soccer in. I was told I wasn’t allowed flames, so I had to settle for CO2 cannons that send up an 8 metre plume of white smoke when goals are scored!
Now, my role is overseeing all the hockey operations for the team. That’s managing budgets, sourcing sponsors, liaising with coaches and their requirements, marketing, securing imports, being the team manager… there’s a lot.
What does the New Zealand Ice Hockey League look like?
The season runs from May to September. There are six teams in total, including a development team that has a reduced schedule. You play each team at home twice and away twice. Games are double headers, so there are two in a weekend.
Squads have around 25 players in them. You can have a maximum of two imports, and they’re great because they introduce skills to local players. It’s 100% amateur and players aren’t paid, so you have to manage budgets and source jobs for working visas. I just had a call from the coach saying he has someone in mind— now I have to figure out how to get him into the country!
Tell me about Proflow. How do you fit in being a business owner with ice hockey? We have a team of six plus an admin person, and we have a lot of fun. We do a lot of residential maintenance and we’re developing a specialty in solar and hot water heat pumps.
The key is being organised. Sometimes it’s making phone calls driving between jobs, other times it’s evenings messaging potential imports and talking with coaches, management or the NZIHL. I have a great team at Proflow so I know I can rely on them.
I joked with the management team last week that it’s the most full-time volunteer position I’ve ever had!
Shocking,
Arwood Chaimongkon of Nexus Plumbing came across this when working on a house that had been renovated the previous year. “We were sent to replace the whole house water supply pipe but had to stop and look at the creativity and admire the waste pipe (shower gully) work,” says Arwood. “Flexi at its best. Shocking!”
A corker sent in by Tauranga gasfitter John Birss... Safe and sound NOT.
“I came across this little gem a couple of months ago,” says Rob Osbourn of Osbourn Gas Services. “I keep losing count of how many things are wrong with it. The shower works just fine now on a mains pressure continuous flow water heater—outside naturally!”
Haven Bellamy found this beauty. “Cheapest quote wins. The Gib stamp was 1998, so must have been in here for 22 years! CRAZY!”
