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THIS EDITION’S UPDATE FROM MASTER PLUMBERS INCLUDES A PROFILE OF MASTER PLUMBERS BOARD MEMBER SAM TYSON AND A CALL FOR MORE MEMBERS TO CONSIDER GETTING INVOLVED IN GOVERNANCE ROLES.

Considered a role on the Board?

John DeBernardo discusses the need to build skills and diversity on the Master Plumbers Board.

Having recently retired after 10 years’ service as an Elected Director of Master Plumbers, I was honoured that the Board firstly presented me with a contribution award, and secondly have co-opted me back onto the Board as a director for a further one-year term.

After chairing the Board’s Audit & Compliance and Remuneration Committees for a number of years, my key roles now are to help facilitate a smooth transition for the new committee chairs, and to assist with continued governance development for Master Plumbers.

Following that latter point, I was delighted to hear that Sam Tyson was elected as a Master Plumbers Elected Director at this year’s AGM, and it’s a pleasure to see someone like Sam at our Board table. Not only does she have a strong governance skillset and focus, but she also brings sorely needed diversity to our Board at a time when we really need to be looking beyond our traditional models and thinking.

Considering the growing number of female business owners, co-owners and leaders in the plumbing sector, and the role that Master Plumbers plays in their daily lives, it amazes me that we haven’t achieved greater gender equality on our Board by 2021. Possibly this might be due to more ‘recognised’ (read male) candidates often having been nominated for election in the past. However, our female members form a crucial part of our industry, and we need to see their leadership at a governance level for Master Plumbers to continue to flourish as a premium membership organisation.

Equally, as regulatory, environmental and social issues becoming a greater part of our director roles, together with the ongoing growth of our Masterlink business, our Board must continue to develop its overall governance competence and skills, so I’m sure there will be continued impetus for professional development of our directors over the forthcoming year.

That continued professional development is important not only for Master Plumbers, but for the future of our industry as a whole, as our current and emerging directors will, over time, gravitate into further leadership and governance roles in the plumbing sector.

Master Plumbers has been a fantastic advocate for the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry for many years now, and it’s a great example of how an industry representation body should operate. To ensure we maintain that status, we need to see more of our future leaders—both the Jacks and the Jills—putting their names forward to contribute to the governance of our organisation.

John DeBernardo has been co-opted back onto the Master Plumbers Board for a one-year term having recently retired as an Elected Director.

BEST IN BRAND PRIZE

“We think our vans look awesome with the blue Master Plumbers logo,” said Jade Corry in her entry for our Best in Brand competition. And we agree! A $200 Prezzy Card prize voucher is on its way to Van Dam Plumbing 2020 Ltd in Putaruru. Congratulations to the team.

Get your entries in!

Have some great looking Master Plumbers branding in your business? Send us a photo or two for a chance to win the next $200 Prezzy Card prize. Email Luke Pirie by 9 July: lpirie@masterplumbers.org.nz

Master Plumbers BDM Gillian McGeever and Masterlink Auckland Regional Manager Colin Kilpatrick chatting with visitors to the Master Plumbers and Masterlink trade stand at the West Auckland event in May.

MASTER PLUMBERS AT CPD

Master Plumbers and Masterlink are sharing a stand at the tradeshow events in the 2021 PGDB & Mico CPD Training Roadshow. Members of both teams are helping man the stand as the roadshow travels around NZ and enjoying chatting with members and other visitors to the stand. By attending a CPD session, you will be meeting the CPD requirement towards renewing your practising licence for 2022-2023.

Book at ecommerce.skills.org.nz/

CPD2021

CEO Greg Wallace enjoying the Auckland North Shore trade show.

Master Plumbers & Masterlink calling for permanent Apprenticeship Boost

Master Plumbers is joining the call for the Government to make the Apprenticeship Boost scheme permanent. The scheme, which provides financial support to employers of apprentices during the first two years of an apprenticeship, is currently scheduled to end in August 2022.

“We believe the Apprenticeship Boost could make a permanent difference to the number of trainees in the system, and we support the initiative 100 percent,” says Master Plumbers and Masterlink CEO Greg Wallace.

“Education Minister Chris Hipkins recently announced a 17 percent increase in people starting apprenticeships. This shows the significant impact that the Apprenticeship Boost is having in assisting employers to train New Zealand’s future skilled workforce. This is the best thing the Government can do to address the skills shortage.”

Masterlink General Manager Steve Strawbridge confirms that Masterlink has seen an increase in businesses taking on apprentices, and is also continuing to see increased numbers of female, Maori, Pasifika and more mature New Zealanders, including career switchers, applying to become apprentices.

“Government funding is definitely supporting employers to retain their existing apprentices and take on new ones—and free trades training (TTAF) is encouraging a more

Some of the growing number of apprentice candidates for the Master Plumbers-owned Masterlink apprentice training programme.

diverse range of applicants to consider a career in our trades,” he says.

“We have more female apprentices in training than ever before. Our youngest apprentice is

ADVOCATING FOR MEMBERS

Master Plumbers spends a great deal of time making submissions on relevant consultations as they arise. Most recent consultations include:

Updating references to

Standards in the Gas (Safety and

Measurement) Regulations

Building Code operating protocols

Building (Building Products and

Methods, Modular Components and Other Matters) Amendment Bill

Sustainable freedom camping in

Aotearoa New Zealand.

Members can read Master

Plumbers submissions in the login area at www.masterplumbers.org.nz (under News & Advocacy).

16 years old, our oldest is in their forties and the average age of an apprentice is rising. Our applicants reflect the ethnic diversity of our population. We believe that making the funding permanent would be the best outcome for our industry and for our country.”

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

NAME: Gillian McGeever ROLE: Business Development Manager

What does your day-to-day role entail? I don’t really have a typical day at work. Of course, there are tasks or processes that I do according to a pattern, but it’s always about different company, different people, new conferences, new challenges. Day to day, I am responsible for the management and development of members and Business Partner relationships. Some days I will be on the road all day meeting customers; other days I’m in the office making calls and booking meetings for the week ahead, doing general administration or catching up with current members and Business Partners.

Where are you based for work? I work out of the Master Plumbers Auckland office and cover the North Island region.

What’s your work background? I previously worked as a National BDM for ENZEC, a nationwide provider of design, installation and maintenance services for electrical, cabling and networking solutions. Its sister company Tradepartners facilitates and manages a member group of electrical contracting companies under a nationwide group membership programme. Back in Ireland, I worked in business development for Electric Skyline, the largest dedicated lighting contractor in Ireland.

Can you tell us a bit about you? I am Irish, from a place called County Mayo in the west of Ireland— a beautiful part of the world. I am a country girl through and through. I have two sisters, who both live abroad as well. We are all looking forward to a visit home once Covid calms down! I have a gorgeous Bernese collie called Kodi, who I miss so much! Currently living in Auckland and I love it!

What’s your favourite music? Ooh, a bit of everything: 90s trance I listen to, especially when I’m in the gym.

What’s your favourite book or movie? Formula 1: Drive to Survive Netflix series—amazing. I never watched the sport before but now I am addicted.

Where’s your favourite holiday spot? Currently, I would say Bay of Islands. Spent some great weekends up there this summer.

What’s your favourite food? Hmm I like everything, especially a good Malaysian mee goreng.

Can you name a person who particularly inspires you? My mom—the strongest, most resilient person I know!

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Playing GAA football with St Pats team in Auckland, going to the gym, and I do love a good hike—NZ is the best place for them. I love exercise and the endorphins it gives you; so good for the mind and helps me in my day-to-day life.

BOARD PROFILE: Sam Tyson

This edition, we profile newly elected Master Plumbers Board member Sam Tyson.

When Sam Tyson purchased heating and cooling business Climate in New Plymouth in 2010, she came to the plumbing industry with no prior knowledge. “I embarked on a journey of learning as much as I could about the trade and establishing connections that I could turn to for guidance and support,” she says. “Joining Master Plumbers played a big role in this and led me to becoming the President of the Taranaki Association in 2014.”

That same year, Sam and husband Lee went on to purchase two of the region’s long-standing plumbing and gasfitting businesses, Plumbwell and Anchor & Ellis, enabling them to expand their service offering even further—reflected by a name change in 2016 to Climate & Plumbing.

Sam considers the immediate tradespeople shortage to be the industry’s biggest challenge right now. Climate & Plumbing feel it’s their responsibility to develop the next generation and currently employ three apprentices. “There are not enough quality trainers available to train the up and coming, and there’s limited access to overseas supply of qualified tradespeople at present,” she says.

Sam would also like to see more collaboration across businesses in our industry to work on solutions together for the benefit of all—and she recommends getting involved on the national Master Plumbers Board. “It is easy to sit on the outside and make comment on others’ actions. However, if you want things to be better or different, the only way to do that is to be part of it on the inside.”

Her other current industry roles include being an Industry Representative on the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board Stakeholder Liaison Group, a Board member of the Industry Connection for Excellence (ICE) and representing Master Plumbers as a member of the New Plymouth District Council Business Interest Group. She is also a regular contributor to NZ Plumber magazine.

Sam is particularly grateful to her husband Lee for his care, support and “letting me be who I needed to be”. Anchor & Ellis owner Kevin Cattley, who came with his team of four to merge with Climate & Plumbing, has also been a great mentor and sounding board, she says.

Outside of work, Sam is into drawing and painting and enjoys yoga. “I also love going for walks along our foreshore in New Plymouth, listening to podcasts about business and healthy living.”

Sam Tyson has been elected to the 2021-2022 Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Board.

For the current team of 33, customer satisfaction, professionalism and quality workmanship is at the core of all they do. “We believe everyone should live and work in a healthy and comfortable environment,” says Sam. “Our top priority is to ensure that what we install is safe to use, works well, and provides our clients with a cost-effective solution.”

People are the foundation of the business, which puts the focus on open and honest communication, care, respect and responsibility. “We will never go for profit at the expense of our people and/or our values.”

This year, Sam was elected a member of the national Master Plumbers Board—her second time in the role, having previously been co-opted in May 2018 for a one-year term. “I am pleased to be a part of the Board once again, where I can use my network, business acumen and governance experience to make a tangible contribution to the Board and the sector as a whole.”

HYDROGEN OPPORTUNITIES

As a zero-emissions fuel, hydrogen could be the future for the gasfitting sector—and a skilled workforce will be one of the keys to success. Master Plumbers has provided members with a Hydrogen Discussion Paper to encourage wider discussion of the emerging hydrogen industry. This is available to read in the website log-in area, under News & Advocacy. The document was accompanied by a survey to get feedback on what members perceive as the main opportunities and challenges for hydrogen adaption in NZ.

Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace also spoke at an Auckland Master Plumbers Future of Gas event in May, with other presenters including Rinnai NZ Managing Director Ray Ferner and Firstgas Group Manager, Strategy & Corporate Development, Angela Ogier.

You can watch the Future of Gas presentation on video at

http://bit.ly/FutureGasEvent

Rinnai NZ Managing Director Ray Ferner was among the speakers at the Auckland Future of Gas presentation, available to view on video.

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TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Go to www.debtorinfo.com or freephone 0800 734 335 and ask for your free 2-month trial.

GET IN TOUCH!

Master Plumbers is here to support all businesses in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry. Members are Quality Assured and backed by the Master Plumbers Guarantee. We offer a wide range of business resources, HR & technical support, plus training and member discounts—and we advocate for our members as a collective industry voice. Get in touch to discuss our two-year membership deal!

Gillian McGeever NORTH ISLAND 027 839 8398 gmcgeever@masterplumbers.org.nz

Sam Timlin SOUTH ISLAND 021 433 615 stimlin@masterplumbers.org.nz

We’re Hiring

Foleys are currently looking for Plumbers and/or Gasfitters in Queenstown, Alexandra, Ranfurly, Oamaru, Palmerston North, Putāruru and Dunedin. If you’re keen for a change of scenery and want to come and live the dream in one of these great locations, head to our website and click on We’re Hiring. We’ve been around since 1934 and have 12 branches across NZ. For the right person, we can provide flexible options and possibly relocation assistance. If you’d like to chat to the Branch Manager, all their details are available online. www.foleys.co.nz

Millars Plumbing & Drainlaying Otautau

Are looking for a Gasfitter and/or Plumber with current Practising Licence. The successful applicant will have: • Good communication skills; excellent knowledge of plumbing products & practices; the ability to problem solve • Be able to work unsupervised; be honest & trustworthy. A family business in Southland for over 32 years, we service a large country area, involved in maintenance & new work for commercial and domestic clients. 2 hours’ drive from Queenstown, 1.5 hours from Fiordland & Te Anau, and 20 min from the beach at Riverton. Check out our business on Facebook and apply in writing with CV to: millars.plumbing@xtra.co.nz Graeme 027 434 0705

Plumbing Business For Sale

This well-established business, located in Matarangi on the Coromandel Peninsula, is for sale. Owner is looking to retire. Sound client base with great growth opportunity, locally and surrounding areas. Being a gasfitter would be an added advantage. This is a great opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle and be your own boss. Great place to live with good community spirit, relaxing lifestyle and hunting and fishing right on your door step. Contact Steve on 027 789 6897 for further information.

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

by plumbingworld