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NZ Plumber is the official magazine of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Inc. Contact details for the Master Plumbers board, staff, branches and associations are available at www.masterplumbers.org.nz
Whether we like it or not, AI is set to change the way we do business... and the products we use.
Artificial intelligence summons up images of a science fiction future, with robots looking and acting like humans, while we are all rendered obsolete.
The reality is that AI is already here–think Siri, Alexa, Google Maps and ChatGPT. It doesn’t necessarily take human form, but it does ‘learn’ to perform tasks that would otherwise need a human brain.
The ChatGPT AI chatbot, launched in 2022, is possibly making the biggest waves right now, with its unnerving ability to ‘understand’ and generate natural sounding language. ChatGPT is tailored for conversational interactions, helping users with various queries, tasks, or simply engaging in conversation. How do I know? Because I typed ‘What is ChatGPT?’ into chatgpt.com and that’s what it spat back at me in seconds.
When I went on to ask ChatGPT how I could use it in my business, it gave me seven reasons in an instant, including sales assistance, customer support, content creation and task automation. Sound like something you could do with in your business? Read our article on page 18 to find out more about how you can get started – and what you need to know about this groundbreaking technology. Meanwhile, on page 46 we reproduce a fascinating article from UK newspaper
The Times on some AI technologies that are making their way into people’s bathrooms. An abundance of smart bathroom products that analyse your heart, body, mind – and urine – will be released this year, says author Mark Sellman.
This article is part of our Bathroom Trends technical theme, which also looks at the growing range of stylish products for the accessible bathroom, as care homes and householders increasingly consider aesthetics alongside function. Turn to page 50 for a taste of what’s available.
We hope you enjoy the latest edition, put together by real people – at least for now!
A problem is solved by continuing to find solutions
economic headwinds
Advice on team restructuring
Your wellbeing
The new Master Plumbers Mental Health Framework resource
Marketing ROI
How to ensure your marketing supports commercial viability
Social media complaints & your brand
Tips on dealing with online complaints
Three
Healthy
How to secure government contracts
Strategies to strengthen your bids
days are ahead”
Meet apprentice
Jack Smith of the new Apprentice Representative Group
New apprentice qualifications
What to expect when – plus a roadshow on its way
Painter to plumber
A career switch proves to be a winner for this newly qualified tradesman
Lifetime of industry dedication
Plumbing tutor Selwyn Hikuroa has devoted his life to nurturing apprentices
NZ Army supports Tongan recovery
Army plumbers help out on a remote Tongan island
Dodgy plumbing
All the fails
It’s been a big year for Ashley Carter, becoming the inaugural Master Plumbers Board Intern and taking over the management of McIvor Plumbing & Gas Wanaka with her sister Nichola Hyndman. NZ Plumber talks to Ash about why she applied for the new internship and what it means for her to be sharing the helm of the business set up by their father Stu McIvor 24 years ago. Turn to page 30 to read their story. Cover
CEO’S REPORT
Firstly, a huge congratulations to Brian Foley from Otago for his King’s Birthday Honours award, recognising Brian as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Brian is a stalwart of Master Plumbers, serving as national president from 1996 to 1997 and awarded Life Membership in 2020. It is a great honour for a member of the plumbing community to receive recognition for our industry and acknowledges the contribution Brian has made to the wider plumbing community. I know Foleys, and in particular Brian’s son Craig Foley, will be extremely proud.
On advocacy news, Master Plumbers is extremely pleased to see the government is pushing ahead with reversing the ban on gas exploration and is committing to a gas strategy to ensure New Zealand has energy resilience. It was quite staggering that, in the first cold snap of winter, Transpower was warning of potential power cuts due to low volumes of available electricity and peak requirements across the country.
We are all for ensuring a transition to renewable gas in New Zealand, but we must understand the importance of providing New Zealand consumers with natural gas and LPG during this transition as part of a balanced energy portfolio.
You will see on page 9 that we are commencing our apprentice training roadshow. The Level 4 PGD apprentice qualifications have undergone the biggest review in 30 years and the new qualifications that will launch in January 2025 represent a fundamental change for both employers and apprentices.
The most significant change will be the implementation of on-job workplace assessments. This derives from the fact that 70 percent of the time spent on block course has been taken up with assessments rather than actual training.
We are all for ensuring a transition to renewable gas in New Zealand, but we must understand the importance of providing New Zealand consumers with natural gas and LPG during this transition as part of a balanced energy portfolio.
By allowing assessments to be completed and verified in the workplace, the level of training delivered at block course can be increased. Workplace assessments also recognise the valuable role employers play in providing apprentices with training on the job. There are major benefits for employers and apprentices in the new model and I encourage both groups to attend the roadshow to get an understanding of the new training regime through a face-to-face presentation. Please note that there will be a second stage of roadshows for the regions after the initial five are delivered in the main centres.
In other news, we are still waiting for the government to confirm the date for the lead-free plumbing product regime. It is frustrating to have had three consultations from MBIE on the implementation date, particularly for plumbing suppliers who need a confirmed date so they can manage their stockholdings at a time when the residential market is slowing.
The proposed new transition period end date of 1 May 2026 is looming fast and decisions are taking longer than expected.
Finally, I encourage you to have a read of the article on page 18 about the development of artificial intelligence. I think many in the industry would suggest AI won’t have much impact on the PGD sector, but the reality is that it will. We can all look back and laugh at how, when the internet and Google arrived, we questioned how it might change our productivity. With the speed AI is developing and evolving, we think there will be huge opportunities for our sector to improve efficiencies by using some of the smart tools to identify products, find relevant part lists and diagnose plumbing issues.
Master Plumbers is committed to ensuring we are at the forefront of AI technology and can provide sector leadership.
Greg Wallace, CEO Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ
Ka mua, ka muri
Walking backwards into the future
Training apprentices is the best solution to workforce shortages!
Your business needs to have skilled people ready to step up when clients are looking for plumbing services.
You need people representing your company, handling customer enquiries, and pitching for jobs the way you would. People you have trained to follow in your footsteps.
Masterlink helps you train New Zealand’s next generation of plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers, by:
CONNECTING
MANAGING
Your business will be connected to quality learners, and you will be registered for employer funding (such as the Apprenticeship Boost) through Masterlink.
You can focus on your business while Masterlink manages all your apprentice’s training needs, including supporting their wellbeing.
MENTORING
MITIGATING RISK
Your apprentice’s learning will be boosted by Masterlink Regional Managers, Apprentice Workshops and Workplace Assessments, helping them complete their studies promptly.
Your business hosts apprentices for their on-job training, but Masterlink employs them. If your business changes, we will work with you to achieve the best outcome for all involved.
Energy is what we do, but it’s people we do it for.
Clarus is one of New Zealand’s largest energy groups. Whether it’s transmission, distribution, supply or storage of energy, the companies within Clarus service over half a million homes and businesses* of all sizes around New Zealand.
While the majority of our existing assets and investments remain in the traditional natural gas and LPG sector, we are also looking to the future. We are investing in
innovative renewable gas technologies such as biogas upgrading and hydrogen blending, even a large solar farm. These technologies have the potential to play a role for the country long-term in the ongoing transition to a lower emissions energy system.
Could we be cooking with renewable gas in the future?
Thousands of kiwis love the benefits and overall efficiency gas provides - from instant heat and precision cooking, to endless hot water, and a toasty warm home. That’s why connecting to gas or updating your gas appliances is a great option when you’re building or renovating.
Energy company Clarus is actively researching, innovating, and investing in renewable energy projects, with the aim to provide homes and businesses with lower emission gas options in the future.
Delivering a NZ first biogas upgrade project
First Renewables, part of Clarus, in partnership with Ecogas, are close to completing work on a New Zealand first plant to upgrade biogas into biomethane, a renewable gas. The new facility will start transforming food waste into biomethane later this year.
The biogas comes from the Ecogas Organics Processing Facility in Reporoa, which uses anaerobic digestion to transform household and commercial food waste into heat, regenerative fertiliser, and biogas.
The biogas upgrade plant will refine that biogas into biomethane, which is a chemically identical renewable substitute for natural gas. The biomethane will be injected back into the gas pipeline network (which is owned and operated by Firstgas, also part of Clarus) to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the North Island’s gas supply. Site works commenced in late 2023 and the first biomethane will be available later this year.
Once up and running, the initial production estimates from this one facility will supply the equivalent of enough renewable gas for up to 7,200 homes and will avoid emissions from natural gas of about 11,000 tonnes of Co2 emissions per year*.
A NZ leader in the renewable energy space
Having worked at Clarus for the past six years, Tim Lepper, Senior Project Manager, says the company’s genuine commitment to investing in renewable energy has made it an inspiring place to work.
“We’re involved in solar which a few companies are doing, and green hydrogen, which only a small number are dabbling in – and what we’re doing with biogas is unique,” Lepper says. “I see Clarus as a leader in renewable energy. We are really stepping into that space.”
Already proven technology overseas, Clarus would like to see the development of multiple renewable gas to pipeline facilities in New Zealand that could produce enough gas to supply all residential users and three quarters of commercial gas users with low carbon gas, equivalent to taking 415,000 petrol cars off our roads.**
Learn more at: clarus.co.nz/future-of-energy
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APPRENTICE QUALIFICATIONS
With the new apprentice qualifications launching in January 2025, make sure you attend the Waihanga Ara Rau Workforce Development Council roadshow to get up to speed with what’s changing.
The apprentice qualifications roadshow launched in Wellington on 2 July, with more events to come at the main centres listed below. Regional events will follow.
23 July – Auckland
24 July – Dunedin
30 July – Hamilton
31 July – Christchurch
You can read more about the new apprentice training programme on page 78.
Book your place today at www.waihangaararau.nz/for-industry/pgd-roadshow
Photograph: Steve Meadows
THIS EDITION’S INDUSTRY UPDATES INCLUDE CHANGES FOR APPRENTICE BLOCK COURSE DELIVERY.
Teaching to support assessments at PGD apprentice block courses
Plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting apprentices are no longer required to complete online assessment and quizzes before they can be accepted onto block courses. EarnLearn—a business division of Te Pūkenga providing training to PGD and other specialist trades— has changed the structure of PGD V3 block courses to include teaching of the underpinning concepts of the practical unit standards, to give apprentices the practical experience needed to be successful at assessment.
The teaching will outline the task to be undertaken, with tutor feedback available during the block course. This supports the practical assessment, also completed during the block course.
Online assessment remains a part of the PGD V3 qualification but can now be completed during or after the block course and is no longer a requirement for block course attendance. Once an apprentice has completed their last block course for a given year, their account manager will check
to make sure the apprentice has kept up with all assessments, including online, for that year.
If the apprentice has not completed all the required assessments, the account manager can place a hold on progression to the next block course, until the learner has met the agreed target.
Along with these changes, EarnLearn has combined two block courses, reducing the total number of PGD programme block courses from 12 to 10.
EarnLearn is also working with campuses and polytechnics to bring back a 12-month schedule to provide employers with enough time to cover their business requirements while the learner is away.
The block course changes take effect in two stages. PGD V3 block courses scheduled in late April/May at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), Wintec and Unitec follow the new format including teaching of underpinning knowledge required to complete practical unit standards. The changes will be made to all other PGD V3 block courses from July 2024.
SERENE BATHROOM HEATER RECALL
This May, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) issued a compulsory recall order on Serene S2068 bathroom heaters sold in New Zealand since June 2018 due to overheating and fire risks. This follows an earlier voluntary recall by suppliers.
“A compulsory recall order is suitable when a company has sold unsafe goods and does not initiate a voluntary recall through their own channels, so this is designed to ensure everyone who has one or sold one knows about it,” said MBIE business specialist Ian Caplin.
Voluntary recalls also apply to Serene S2069 and S207T models.
Householders with Serene S2068 heaters are being advised to stop using them, unplug them from the wall if possible and contact the supplier to arrange return of the goods under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) and for a safe replacement, if available, or a refund. If the heater has been installed by fixed wiring, consumers can also require the supplier to arrange for its removal by an electrician.
While Energy Safety has prohibited the sale, rather than use, of the S2069 and S207T models, consumers still have the right to contact the retailer and discuss options under the CGA.
“Plumbers working in bathrooms who see one of these Serene fan heater models should let the customer know and point them to the Product Safety website,” says Master Plumbers chief executive Greg Wallace.
www.productsafety.govt.nz (type Serene in search bar).
ELECTRICAL WORK LEADS TO CONTRACTOR’S DEATH
An electrician has been sentenced to home detention and ordered to pay $150,000 in reparation having failed to carry out mandatory tests on an electrical job to ensure it was compliant and safe to use. This failure ultimately led to another contractor’s death.
The electrician had removed an old extraction light and fan in a property and installed a new power point to supply a newly installed rangehood. When installing the power point, the electrician failed to identify correctly how the cable was originally connected into the old appliance or
that the earth conductor was used as an active to switch the light within the old appliance. As a result, the earth in the socket outlet and the metal work of the new rangehood became energised with 230VAC.
Twenty days later, a contractor engaged to carry out some minor building work around the new rangehood received a fatal electrical shock after touching the metal. Had the electrical worker carried out the mandatory testing and verification, he would have identified that the earth conductor was originally being used as a live conductor.
NELSON REGION TO TACKLE CONSTRUCTION WASTE
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith says a new Reconstruct pilot is a chance for the region’s building industry to lead on sustainability. “Nelson has a proud track record of leading on environmental issues, being the first to establish an environment centre and, more recently, being the first to have a 100% electric bus service,” he said on announcing the initiative, which will see items like timber, doors, windows, kitchen fittings, gib and paint going to a new facility.
Nelson’s four largest construction companies have joined with Nelson and Tasman councils to form the Nelson Construction Environmental Alliance, which aims to make the industry more
sustainable by recognising small changes can lead to big results.
Recycling meant savings for businesses as well as a positive environmental impact, says Scott Construction’s Steve McIntyre. “A skip of plasterboard waste is dumped at a cost of $300 a tonne, there could be four tonnes in a skip bin, and several skips per project.
“This is a cost that can be passed on to the consumer. Reuse and waste diversion is quickly becoming a good economical choice for construction companies.”
According to government estimates, this type of waste currently makes up almost half of New Zealand’s total landfill waste.
A compulsory recall has been issued on Serene S2068 bathroom fan heaters, due to fire risks.
From left, Steve McIntyre of Scott Construction with Nelson Mayor Nick Smith and Anton Drazevic, CEO of Nelson Environment Centre.
PEOPLE
New CEO for Registered Master Builders Association
Ankit Sharma has served as CEO of the Registered Master Builders Association (RMBA) in New Zealand since this March, having previously held the role of Chief Operating Officer within RMBA. Ankit is an accomplished executive with over 20 years of diverse industry experience and more than a decade in executive management roles. His expertise spans corporate governance, strategy formulation and execution, performance management, and business transformation.
Before joining RMBA, Ankit led significant digital transformation initiatives at Todd Corporation as the CEO of Todd Digital and held senior roles across the corporation. His leadership at Todd included overseeing the establishment of governance models, product development, and strategic mergers and acquisitions.
PROPOSED BUILDING CONSENT CHANGE FOR MINOR VARIATIONS
New Zealanders won’t need to submit a new building consent for minor product or design changes under a proposed amendment to the Building Act.
“New construction data from Stats NZ released in April shows that it takes around 569 days on average for a home to be built after it receives a building consent,” said Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk on making the announcement in May.
“This means that, once you account for the time it takes to issue a consent, it takes nearly 600 days to build a house in New
NZ ECONOMY ‘STEADILY REBALANCING’
The latest OECD economic survey of New Zealand, projects GDP growth to pick up to 1.9% in 2025, compared to 0.6% in 2023. “New Zealand’s economy continues to rebalance with inflation easing and the current account deficit declining,” said OECD chief economist Clare Lombardelli in May. “Reforms to improve education outcomes, competition, and climate mitigation and adaptation are needed to support sustained
growth and underpin better living standards for New Zealanders across society.”
The survey notes that additional resourcing will be needed to deliver recommended land-use planning and resilient infrastructure in the face of climate change, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
It also stresses the need to increase competition to help raise productivity.
Zealand. In the face of a housing and cost of living crisis, this is simply too long.”
Currently, if a building product, such as plasterboard, is swapped out with a comparable one on a building or renovation project, a new building consent must be submitted, adding cost and delay to the job.
The government proposes clarifying the definition of a minor variation and introducing ‘minor customisations’ to the Building Act. Building Consent Authorities will still need to assess building work to ensure it complies with the Building Code.
Whilst recent regulation has helped better address anti-competitive factors, the survey says a “more explicit strategy of gradual escalation of regulatory intervention” is needed.
“New Zealand’s small and distant economy means large firms face fewer pressures to innovate and seek efficiencies while providing better services and lower prices to consumers.”
Ankit Sharma.
People who contribute to the beating heart of our industry.
Northland Plumbing and Gas have received a Certificate of Achievement – Operational Activity at the 2024 NZ Search and Rescue Awards at Parliament in May for their help during the search for Karnin Petera, the 15-year-old who died in the Abbey Caves tragedy. Team members from the company operated their fibre optic drain camera in the attempt to locate the Whangerei Boys’ High School student and were among six groups awarded for the collaborative effort. Karnin’s parents Alicia Toki and Andre Petera were at the awards to present the certificates.
Arthur Barclay, founder of Barclay Engineering in Lower Hutt, turns 100 this August. Arthur started operations in the 1950s making camping stretchers and chairs before expanding into forging work and engineering processes. He worked for 50 years, over 30 of them with right-hand man Don Morgan, until Arthur’s retirement, just five years ago. This locally run company continues to produce high-quality New Zealand made brass and stainless steel products, primarily for the plumbing and gas industries, at its Naenae facility. Products such as brass fittings, valves, plugs and waste, flexible hoses, washers and tools are manufactured on a 14-tonne forging press, which was lowered through the factory roof when it arrived from England in 1981.
Brian Foley of Master Plumbers member company Foleys has been awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his services to the plumbing industry and the community in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. Brian, 86, took over the Foleys business from his father Albert in the 1960s, growing it to a staff of 24 before taking in his son Craig Foley as a director, alongside Chris Sutherland and Sarah Alcock. The business has since expanded to a current staff of more than 260, with 14 branches around New Zealand. Brian is a Master Plumbers Life Member and served as Master Plumbers president from 1996-1997. He was also Dunedin Rotary president from 1988-1989. Helping others is something he loves to do, whether carrying out jobs for health and disability support service Enable New Zealand, bringing on apprentices (more than 150 over his 67-year career), or sharing his knowledge and advice with other plumbers. Congratulations Brian!
Photograph: Mark Coote
Hamish Smith of Northland Plumbing and Gas with Karnin’s parents Alicia Toki and Andre Petera, and Transport Minister Matt Doocey (left).
A 2022 cutting room upgrade for Barclay Engineering & Fabrication.
TRAINING & EVENTS
Book now for industry events in the second half of 2024.
10 AUG – STEWART ISLAND masterplumbers.org.nz/events
Auckland/Northland Master Plumbers Awards 2024
11 OCT – AUCKLAND masterplumbers.org.nz/events
Young Plumber of the Year 2024 National Final
23 OCT – HAMILTON ypc.co.nz/ypoty
Young Plumber of the Year 2024 Regional Finals
13 AUG - 5 SEPT – NATIONWIDE ypc.co.nz/ypoty
COMING SOON!
Advanced Plumbing: Sanitary Plumbing and Drainage and Compliance with AS/NZS 3500.2
IN-PERSON TRAINING masterplumbers.org.nz/events
Photograph: Steve Meadows
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263 Ti Rakau Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland 2013. P.O.Box 51-525, Pakuranga, Auckland 2140.
Phone: +64 9 274 0111 or 0800 536 252
Fax: +64 9 274 0347
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SOUTH ISLAND
MM Brands - Christchurch
9 Syd Bradley Road, Dakota Park, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch 8142. P.O.Box 51-525, Pakuranga, Auckland 2140.
Phone: +64 3 341 1271
Fax: +64 3 341 1271
Email: sales@mmbrands.co.nz
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Businesses across the plumbing industry are being encouraged to dip their toes into the world of artificial intelligence (AI), with exponents saying it has the potential to revolutionise the way companies – large and small – operate. NZ Plumber investigates.
AUTHOR: MATTHEW LOWE
enables computers to perform functions we historically associate with human minds, such as analysing data, recognising patterns, learning, making decisions and solving problems.
AIThe technology can even interact with humans in natural language, as seen in the increasing number of chatbots people encounter when dealing with businesses.
Julian Moore is a speaker who provides practical advice on AI and has experience helping organisations in New Zealand, Australia and the UK achieve their technology goals.
He says companies wanting to adopt AI systems should start small and, while it can be daunting for some people, many tools are becoming more user-friendly.
Potential uses in plumbing businesses
“AI can revolutionise plumbing businesses by streamlining operations and boosting efficiency,” he explains. “It can optimise scheduling and dispatching, reducing travel time and increasing the number of jobs completed daily. AI can help inventory management by monitoring stock levels and automatically reordering supplies.
DIDYOUKNOW?
In an Australian first, Alice Ing, an AI bot, has been appointed as an advisor to the Board of the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW). With an IQ of 155, Alice Ing is one smart cookie. “Today’s decisions are data driven, and Alice’s capability to analyse vast amounts of data instantly is invaluable,” says REINSW chief executive Tim McKibbin. Alice joins Bruce, the institute’s helpline bot.
“Also, AI-powered chatbots can handle customer enquiries and schedule appointments, freeing up time to focus on getting jobs done.”
He adds other potential functions are analysing business data, helping to make informed decisions, improving customer service, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
Train and trial to get ahead of the curve
Julian runs Strategic Membership Solutions with his wife Belinda in Australia and says the best way to start learning about AI is through online resources, with plenty of free courses and tutorials available that “break down the basics”.
“You can employ AI trainers to deliver in-house or remote training that is specific for plumbers,” he says.
“For hands-on learning, try experimenting with simple AI tools and applications relevant to your business. Attending workshops or webinars put on by your association can also provide valuable insights and practical tips. Remember, the key is to start small and gradually build your knowledge and confidence.”
Julian adds employers should provide regular training and support to ensure staff can apply AI tools effectively.
A common concern about automation for an increasing array of work tasks is job security but Julian says AI is there to make employees’ roles easier, not replace them.
He predicts there will be more benefits as computer systems develop, such as realtime, personalised training for staff, and
“AI-powered chatbots can handle customer enquiries and schedule appointments, freeing up time to focus on getting jobs done.”
JULIAN
MOORE
Director, Strategic Membership Solutions
AI-driven customer service so seamless, it feels like talking to a real person.
“These solutions will likely be available sooner rather than later – meaning those businesses acting on AI now will be in a better position to capitalise on new advancements as they come out.”
ChatGPT making AI mainstream
The most popular and widely used AI programme on the market is ChatGPT, a chatbot and virtual assistant developed by OpenAI and launched in November 2022.
Nick Allan, head of AI and business development at Indicator, says machine learning dates back to about the 1940s but ChatGPT has made the technology mainstream. He is optimistic about AI’s impact on our daily lives and believes it is something everyone should embrace.
“People are worried AI will take their jobs; we tend to suggest AI won’t take people’s jobs but it will help lift them to a higher level of creativity or productivity,” he says.
“I think it’s one of those progressions that’s going to happen, a bit like the internet and mobile phones.
“A simple benefit of AI may be that you can put all your customer information in one place, so staff become faster at being up to speed with who they’re dealing with.
Things like that improve collaboration and efficiency and AI is one of those tools that has a huge payoff from what is generally not a massive investment.”
Indicator is a New Zealand company that started eight years ago and uses technology to help sales leaders and salespeople by providing them with the “right tools, right information and right support”.
However, Nick warns that companies need to understand adopting AI won’t solve all their problems.
Importance of having a plan
“We often say people should think of AI for business as being like a power tool or a nail gun. With a nail gun you can build a whole house, but you can also shoot yourself in the foot.
“You have still got to have a plan and a structure around what you’re doing and the same applies for introducing AI tools into your business. You’ve got to have an idea of where you want to improve your business with those tools.”
He says for plumbing companies, whether a one-man band or a large operation, AI can help with customer relationship management software, managing inventory, chatbots, marketing and keeping track of maintenance and servicing work.
This image was AI generated by Nick Allan at Indicator to represent a plumber using artificial intelligence in his business.
Indicator separates the approach to improving a business with technology into three areas: people, process and platforms.
“If people are supported with the right skills, mentoring and training, you have got people in the business who make a massive difference,” explains Nick.
“If you have a process in the business, whether sales or understanding the flow of customers into your business, breaking that down allows you to work on it and improve it.
“And platforms, whether it is things such as AI tools or enterprise resource planning financial tools, if you break this into chunks, it’s easier to help improve a business.”
He suggests anyone running a firm and contemplating using AI should adopt such programmes gradually and encourage interested staff to try different tools to see how well they work.
“Also look at what people don’t enjoy doing, whether because it tends to be boring or they don’t like it, because that’s when AI tools can come into their own.”
He says introducing AI to a business can deliver a substantial return on investment, with a ChatGPT subscription, for example, costing US$20 (NZ$33) a month.
“People shouldn’t fear it but embrace learning about it and take it in small steps.”
NICK ALLAN Head of AI and Business Development, Indicator
Other big technology companies such as Google, Meta and Apple also offer AI programmes and Nick says all the major players provide good security for data.
“You still have to be careful but ultimately there are a lot of terms and
conditions and it means that when you use these tools you should have a degree of confidence there aren’t issues around privacy and your data.
Technology continues to improve
“The other thing is the technology keeps getting fundamentally better. The AI landscape keeps changing and new models are frequently coming to the market.
“The AI tools of today are essentially the worst they will ever be because technology only continues to improve.”
Nick encourages people interested in the topic to check out YouTube, conduct Google searches and start subscribing to AI newsletters to access information about the technology.
“People should also talk to others in business and their networks about AI,” he continues. “Like anything, some businesses will adopt these things earlier than others and can help others on that journey.
“Whatever approach people take, using AI tools to improve business is something everyone can do. I think people shouldn’t fear it but embrace learning about it and take it in small steps.”
HARNESSING THE POWER OF AI
Steel & Tube, one of New Zealand’s leading providers of steel solutions, took its first foray into using artificial intelligence in 2019 and has since adopted it across various departments to assist team members and improve efficiency.
Raffaella del Prete, chief digital officer, says AI isn't about replacing humans, but about “doing business better and smarter”.
“At Steel & Tube, we use AI for a number of tasks that are either quite labour- or time-intensive,” she explains. “For example, using image recognition, warehouse staff can simply take a picture of a product shelf and AI can determine inventory levels, eliminating manual counting and saving valuable time.”
AI’s content generation capabilities are also being utilised. “AI excels at content creation, but providing the right prompts is crucial,” says Raffaella. “Our marketing team has become adept at crafting effective prompts to harness AI’s full potential.”
Steel & Tube first used AI five years ago for pricing forecasts and then with Stanley, its webshop chatbot. It has now extended into more areas of the business.
“For example, we’re using Google Analytics AI to provide actionable recommendations for marketing initiatives. Additionally, AI’s being
“...we recommend users apply the ‘news test’: no information fed into AI should be something we wouldn’t want published.”
RAFFAELLA DEL PRETE Chief Digital Officer, Steel & Tube
employed for cyber security simulations, training our team to stay ahead of evolving threats.”
Raffaella acknowledges the technology’s potential and says, as AI becomes more advanced, the company will discover other ways to leverage it for smarter business operations.
While advocating for AI adoption, she stresses the importance of responsible implementation and establishing clear policies and guidelines.
“Freely available chatbots can learn from user inputs and potentially misuse that data. At Steel & Tube, we restrict use of AI to approved tools that we have sourced, and we recommend users apply the ‘news test’: no information fed into AI should be something we wouldn’t want published. This includes a strict notolerance policy for using any personal identifiable information.”
Steel & Tube notes its successful adoption of AI over the years shows how it can be leveraged across businesses to unlock increased efficiencies, innovation and customer-centricity.
Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ thanks the following Partners for their support:
SILVER
ADVOCACY WORK CONTINUES APACE AT MASTER PLUMBERS.
“Businesses require financial support to encourage and facilitate the employment of apprentices,” says Master Plumbers chief executive Greg Wallace.
Advocacy update
Apprenticeship Boost extension applauded
As part of Budget 2024, the Government has pledged to continue the Apprenticeship Boost scheme, with changes to eligibility taking effect from 1 January 2025 that will mean only firstyear apprentices in targeted key occupations will be eligible. As NZ Plumber went to print, these occupations were yet to be decided.
Master Plumbers chief executive Greg Wallace says training apprentices remains the best solution to combating workforce shortages in the industry. “Plumbing has an ageing workforce, with 38% of the plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers now aged 55 and over. We estimate a current shortfall of 3,000 plumbers and drainlayers.”
To grow the industry so that it can deliver on future needs, businesses require financial support to encourage and facilitate the employment of apprentices, he says.
Through the Apprenticeship Boost scheme, which was introduced in 2020 and due to end in December 2024, eligible employers have been able to receive direct payments to help pay for new and existing apprentices in their first two years of training. The initiative has contributed to a significant increase in plumbing apprentice enrolments.
By removing entry cost barriers, more apprentices have been able to undertake formal training and more businesses have been able to take on apprentices – many for the first time.
“As much as the Apprentice Boost scheme is welcomed, we also need the coalition government to activate government-funded projects with the likes of Ministry of Education and Kāinga Ora, including cyclone relief, to ensure the workforce coming through has enough work in the future,” says Greg Wallace.
New no-consent 'granny flat' policy plans
Master Plumbers believes the Government’s plan to allow buildings up to 60sq m to be constructed without requiring a consent will help lower costs and reduce compliance for the construction sector.
“The policy basically enacts self-certification for plumbing and drainlaying – up to an area of 60m2,” says Master Plumbers chief executive Greg Wallace. “We should be using digital record
keeping for these small buildings to ensure people get a registered tradesperson doing the job. It helps reassure people that the job has been done well and to the required standard. Tradespeople should be held to account for the work they complete and be backed up by reasonable insurance cover. We totally support less compliance and regulation, but we also think we can be smart in how we go about achieving that.”
Plumbers could help fix Wellington’s leaks
In a recent RNZ Nine to Noon interview, Wellington retailer Paul Robinson bemoaned the prospect of 'must-do' maintenance on the water network along Thorndon Quay. Robinson was not frustrated about the maintenance work itself (he has long been telling the council that leaks need fixing) but the fact that it would follow many months of disruption as new bus lanes and cycleways are installed in a major upgrade –and could see them being ripped up again to reach the underground pipework.
Robinson told RNZ businesses are experiencing a huge reduction in revenue, with pedestrian traffic down 50 percent.
“This is typical of what is occurring in Wellington and has a terrible effect
on business owners in the region,” says Master Plumbers chief executive Greg Wallace. “Wellington City Council, a part-owner of Wellington Water, needs to take ownership of the issues rather than deferring blame.”
Around 45% of the region’s water supply is being lost due to leaking pipework that is beyond its sell-by date or was damaged in the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake.
Master Plumbers is of the view that plumbers could help with the solution, as they are fully trained and qualified to fix tobies and other leaks in the water supply network in Wellington and other regions with ageing pipework in urgent need of replacement.
Renewable gases must be part of the future power mix
Transpower’s warning to New Zealanders to conserve electricity during the first cold snap of the year highlights the need for energy diversity. Master Plumbers says renewable gas and biogas are viable alternatives to strengthen the country’s power network and ensure it is not at the mercy of an overtaxed power grid.
Consistent with New Zealand’s transition to a net zero carbon economy by 2050, the use of fossil gas in New Zealand is to be phased out by 2035. There is an increasing reliance on electricity and the country is importing record amounts of coal to generate electricity as gas supplies decline and there is not enough renewable electricity to meet growing demand.
Master Plumbers chief executive Greg Wallace says gas is an effective
of renewable gas, and low and zero carbon gases, such as hydrogen and biogas, are already being developed and trialed for energy supply in New Zealand and abroad.”
He says the Government needs to signal it will invest in renewable gas technology and infrastructure so manufacturers and suppliers continue to promote and develop specialised renewable gas appliances.
This commitment also needs to flow through to the training sector by creating a robust training system to upskill existing gasfitters in renewable gas.
“Uncertainty around gas has already resulted in a reduced number of signups for gasfitting apprenticeships,” says Greg. “It is imperative efforts are made to support the workforce as it will be needed to maintain and service future renewable gas infrastructure
Master Plumbers wants Wellington’s plumbers to be allowed to help fix the city's leaking infrastructure.
Winter power outages could become a regular occurrence if all the focus is on electricity as New Zealand transitions to a net zero carbon economy, warns Master Plumbers.
OUR CONFERENCE DRAW WINNERS!
Joel Eddington, Tamara Allen and Melanie MacMillan are the lucky winners of the conference app trade show draw at this year’s event. Each received a Makita Hammer Drill Driver Kit prize.
“Thank you very much!” said Joel. “What a great way to scope out all the stall holders. I met some great people and made some allimportant networking contacts too.”
GREG WALLACE ELECTED TO AUSAE BOARD
Master Plumbers chief executive Greg Wallace has been elected to the AuSAE board of directors, joining six other association and not-for-profit executives from around New Zealand and Australia. The Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) is the only not-for profit member-based organisation exclusively supporting association professionals in Australia and New Zealand – providing current and future leaders with professional development, support and networking opportunities.
“Thank you so much,” said Tamara Allen on receiving her Makita drill kit. “Now to get into some DIY around the house…!”
“Just heading out to the she-shed to do a spot of DIY,” says draw winner Melanie MacMillan. “A huge THANK YOU to Master Plumbers and Makita for my cool new toy, and no the hubby is not allowed to play with it!”
Joel Eddington of Your Local Plumber in Auckland with his prize.
CONGRATS TO NAWIC FINALIST PHOEBE COERS
Readers may recognise Phoebe Coers as one of NZ Plumber’s cover stars, featuring in an article about her new Rose Line Ltd business and her determination to see more diversity and inclusivity in the plumbing industry. Phoebe has gone on to win the Jackson Women in Plumbing Award at the 2024 New Zealand Plumbing Awards... and now has also been selected as a finalist in the Wahine Toa Tradeswoman category at the National Women in Construction NZ (NAWIC) Excellence Awards. Congratulations Phoebe and wishing you the very best of luck at the NAWIC awards event, to be held in Wellington on 19 July.
Phoebe Coers, owner of Master Plumbers member business Rose Line Ltd, is a finalist in the 2024 NAWIC Excellence Awards.
HR & EMPLOYMENT SESSIONS FOR MEMBERS
Members in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland have enjoyed a recent opportunity to discuss their real-life employment and HR scenarios with representatives from law firm Duncan Cotterill.
Other branches interested in holding a session can contact People & Culture Manager Lisa Duston (contact details in HR section of the Master Plumbers member website).
NEW MEMBERS
A warm welcome to new member businesses: Noble Gas & Plumbing – Whanganui Plumb Stuff NZ – Nelson
Approved Plumbing – Auckland
WANT TO JOIN?
Master Plumbers is here to support all businesses in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry. Members are Quality Assured and backed by the Master Plumbers Guarantee. We offer a wide range of business resources, health and safety, HR & technical support, plus training and member discounts—and we advocate for our members as a collective industry voice. Get in touch today!
Waikato Master Plumbers president Mike Wilson dropped round with a new membership pack and enjoyed a chat with Nathan Grant (left) and Michael Bloomfield of Water Wise Plumbing & Gasfitting in Waihi, which became a member of Master Plumbers in March this year.
Mico has focused heavily on updating and relaunching its digital products over the past 18 months—replacing the ‘piping’ from its old website platform with a new-look Trade Portal and a brand-new Trade App.
These tools are designed for efficiency, to save YOU time and money and let you spend more precious time on the tools. Some of the great features and enhancements include:
LIVE order tracking – See where your delivery is at, or check your order status. Stock quantities in branch – See the exact stock levels of all products in any branch in the country.
Pricing control – Toggle off your trade price when interacting with your customers, or choose to view prices including or exclusive of GST.
Simpro PO integration – Easily place an order through the Mico Trade Portal or Trade App and it will integrate back to Simpro – no more order reference errors! Or raise a PO in Simpro and it will integrate directly into the Mico branch systems for quick and efficient fulfilment. Easy quotes –
• Request, edit and accept your Mico quotes, then convert them into orders from within the Trade Portal.
• View and accept your Mico quotes, then convert them into orders in the Trade App.
Create a Job List – Keep your key products at your fingertips with curated lists, making stock checking and placing orders easy.
Safety and spec sheets – Extra product information for the products you use can be found in the product details.
Power to your teams – Choose which team members to grant access to and control the permissions.
Account management –
• Keep up to date with your account on the go through the Trade App
• Access your invoices and credits in the Trade Portal.
NEED HELP USING MICO TRADE E-TOOLS?
If you need some help with Mico’s e-tools, drop the team a line at:
Phone: 0800 APP HELP
Email: trade@mico.co.nz
Download the Mico Trade App at the Apple App Store.
Download the Mico Trade App at the Google Play Store.
BE A MASTER PLUMBER
✓ 12 month consumer guarantee
✓ Advocating for member and industry interests
✓ Branding – logo and vehicle decals
✓ Business Partner deals exclusive to members
✓ Fuel discounts with Mobilcard
✓ Human Resources, guidelines and support
✓ Technical support from PGD experts Be the best you can be - for your customers, your staff and your business.
✓ Job leads from our Find a Plumber search tool
✓ Latest industry news
✓ Master Plumbers health and safety app
✓ Networking opportunities
✓ Professional development training
Devine Plumbing, Napier 2023 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year
With Stu McIvor passing ownership of McIvor Plumbers & Gasfitters Wanaka Ltd to daughters Ashley Carter and Nichola Hyndman, Ashley talks to NZ Plumber about their new managerial role – and becoming the very first Master Plumbers Board intern.
AUTHOR: BEVERLY SELLERS PHOTOGRAPHY: JODIE JAMES
he plumbing industry is part of sisters Ashley Carter and Nichola Hyndman’s DNA. Their parents, Stu and Jane McIvor, set up McIvor Plumbers & Gasfitters Wanaka 24 years ago after moving the family here from Dunedin in 2000.
TStu and Jane previously owned Dunedinbased McIvor Plumbers along with Stu’s brother Dave and late sister-in-law Ali— and the company was originally established by Stu and Dave’s father in the early 1940s.
Ash, who’s 38, recalls school holidays spent in the Dunedin office with her mum and says plumbing was always part of life growing up, with Stu often doing call outs at
night or working weekends when needed. So, it was a natural step for her and her sister to become part of the family business.
Nic joined in 2006, with Ash coming on board four years later, after a three-year stint at an accountancy firm. This enabled Jane to retire, and the two have worked closely together since as the office team has grown.
Change of ownership
This April marked a major milestone for Ash and Nic as they took over the reins at the company, with Stu having made the decision to step down as managing director while continuing to work in the office three days a week.
Ashley Carter (left) and her sister Nichola Hyndman (right) are taking on the management of McIvor Plumbers & Gasfitters Wanaka business as their father Stu McIvor (centre) steps down as managing director.
BECOMING A MASTER PLUMBERS BOARD INTERN
It has been a big year for Ash Carter. In the same month that she became a joint owner of McIvor Plumbers and Gasfitters Wanaka, she was also selected as the first person to take part in the new Master Plumbers Board Intern programme.
The company has been a member of Master Plumbers since it was established in 2000, and has taken on several Masterlink apprentices over this time. Ash says she has found the business resources on the Master Plumbers member website a huge help in the office and, more recently, she has also discovered the benefits of attending the annual conference.
“Everything about it is outstanding— from the networking to the advocacy updates, the training and resources, and the trade stands,” she says. “You always bring things back to improve your business and connect with plumbers nationwide. I meet someone new every year and enjoy catching up with old friends.”
Her first Master Plumbers board meeting as a new intern was in May and she enjoyed every minute of it. “I love learning things, and I feel I can give back to the industry at a governance level, as it’s an area I’m passionate about,” she says. “My interest was
sparked when Stu was on the NZPM Board and would take us along to the AGMs, and was ignited when I was on the Rockgas Franchise Advisory Council from 2010 to 2023.”
In addition to attending a one-day governance essentials course from the Institute of Directors, Ash is being mentored by members of the Master Plumbers Board, in particular, deputy chair Felicity Caird. “I feel very supported by each of the directors and encouraged to raise any questions,” she says.
For Ash, the board intern opportunity seemed the perfect way to kickstart a governance role without necessarily having ‘board-ready’ experience. “I’m fortunate to have Felicity’s expertise, and the support I have received from the board, along with Greg and the whole team at Master Plumbers, has been incredible.”
She is getting a feel for each of the different board committees and says she is soaking up all the learning like a sponge.
“As a Masterlink host employer, I’m especially interested in the Masterlink committee and ways the industry can attract more people to help with workforce shortages.”
Photograph: Keri Little Photography
OUT & ABOUT
This edition’s news from around the Master Plumbers branches include an update on the Cyclone Gabrielle industry fundraiser.
Day at the races
The Southland Master Plumbers enjoyed their annual race day at the Winton Harness Racing Club in May. The day saw 10 action-packed harness races, with standout performances from trainer and driver with Robyns Hustler, winning the Southland Master Plumbers Mobile Pace.
Robyns winningHustler Race 9, the Southland Master Plumbers Mobile Pace.
New emergency response trailer
At this year’s annual conference in April, Master Plumbers Hawkes Bay president Josh Kendrick provided an update on how this Association had decided to spend some of the industry funds raised through Master Plumbers following Cyclone Gabrielle.
A new emergency response trailer is now available to Master Plumbers’ branches around the country in the event of a disaster.
“One of the biggest challenges was losing power,” recalls Josh of the cyclone aftermath. The trailer incorporates an emergency generator for such situations, along with
storage space for water and fuel, rescue gear and health and safety equipment.
If not in emergency use, the trailer can also be hired out to branches for social events such as BBQs and fundraisers, with its fridge to keep drinks cold.
“We’re 14 months on from the cyclone and the clean-up has been a big part,” says Josh. “It put a lot of businesses out, paying staff week after week while not charging work out.”
The clean-up continues today, with the worst hit areas yet to be fully cleared of piles of debris and silt.
Josh knows the extent of the disaster only too well, having lost his entire house to the cyclone just three months after moving in. He’s finally in a new home but says not everyone has been so fortunate, with many people in red zones still without housing.
Josh ended his presentation with a word of thanks to Master Plumbers. “The response from businesses and the wider plumbing community has been unreal. We greatly appreciate all the offers of help and the funds raised — it’s why I’m proud to be part of this organisation.”
There was a great turnout at the Queenstown Lakes Branch Dinner in June and everyone valued the time from Master Plumbers national president Grayson Allen and chief executive Greg Wallace.
Grayson Allen presented Kevin Henderson from Optum Plumbing & Energy Solutions with his Membership20-yearMilestone certificate at the event.
Painting the town pink
Master Plumbers’ Christchurch office team
members Lisa Duston and Rebecca Moss hit the road on Pink Shirt Day in May to spread a little kindness — popping round to some local member businesses with pink-iced cupcakes in hand. “They went down a treat!” says Lisa.
PLUMBING, DRAINAGE AND PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION SPECIALISTS.
In the pink with members of the Peter Diver Plumbing & Drainage team.
• NZ-made premium products.
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• Systems designed for local construction methods and trades.
• Independently tested and BRANZ appraised products.
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CATCH THE LATEST FROM THE MASTERLINK APPRENTICE TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR THE PLUMBING, GASFITTING AND DRAINLAYING INDUSTRY.
YOUNG PLUMBER OF THE YEAR SUCCESSES
It is great to see so many current and former Masterlink apprentices taking part in Plumbing World’s 2024 Young Plumber of the Year competition.
This year’s event has seen more than 270 young plumbers facing off against each other at the branch qualifiers for a place in the regional finals and, ultimately, the national final in October.
Congratulations to Masterlink apprentice Shea Arthurs for winning the Napier/Hastings branch qualifier and to Hera Eruera, who placed second at the Mt Wellington event. Shea goes through to the Lower North Island regional final in August, and Hera to the Auckland Metro regional final in September. Best of luck to you both!
NAWIC APPRENTICE EXCELLENCE FINALISTS!
Well done to Masterlink apprentices Georgia Simeon and Maria Contreras Huerta for being selected as finalists in the 2024 National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) NZ Excellence Awards!
Georgia and Maria are among six finalists in the Apprentice Excellence category, open to apprentices across the construction, building and infrastructure industries. The 2024 awards event will be held at Tākina in Wellington on 19 July. Best of luck!
Masterlink apprentice Hera Eruera (pictured with certificate) placed second at the Mt Wellington branch event. Hera now goes through to the Auckland Metro regional final in September.
Maria Contreras Huerta on block course at Wintec. She is set to graduate next year.
Masterlink apprentice Georgia Simeon getting stuck in to the job at Karl Boniface Plumbing in Invercargill.
PROMOTING A CAREER IN PLUMBING
Masterlink South Island regional manager Rae Meharg spent an awesome day at the Invercargill Ministry of Social Development office in mid-May. “I met with 17 potential candidates interested in a PGD apprenticeship,” says Rae.
"What a fantastic day meeting people who just need that little encouragement and reminder that they can do it – and that they have Masterlink supporting them all the way. There were some pretty excited folk by the end of the day. I walked out very proud.”
APPRENTICE TRAINING WORKSHOPS
Masterlink’s ground-breaking apprentice training workshops have been going from strength to strength, with a further eight held around the country in 2024 to date, attended by 126 apprentices. From these workshops, 417 unit standards have been reported to Te Pūkenga and 48 to ICE – helping Masterlink apprentices get one step closer to completing their qualifications within the expected timeframe.
South Island regional manager Rae Meharg visited the MSD office in Invercargill to talk with potential plumbing apprentice candidates about their career goals.
successful Masterlink apprentice training workshop, held in Christchurch this March.
Masterlink milestones
WELCOME
Nau mai, haere mai to new Masterlink apprentices:
Nathan Giddens
CF Reese Plumbing, Hamilton
Max McQuoid
Peter Owen Plumbing, Hamilton
Luke Spargo
The Drainage Department, Tauranga
Sam Cooper
The Drainage Department, Tauranga
Sam Barningham
Plumbing Magic, Auckland
Jordan Kelliher
Beer Plumbing and Gas, Dunedin
Aidan Seyb
Impact Roofing & Plumbing, Dunedin
Kyle Robbins
Hi Spec Plumbing, Auckland
William McIntosh
East Coast Plumbing & Gas, Hastings
Anya Weitekamp
Western Bay Plumbing, Te Puke
Cory Miller
Blair McNab Plumbing, Dunedin
Justin Lipschitz
JT Plumbing, Tauranga
Lachie Munro
South Canterbury Plumbing & Drainage, Timaru
Tristan Kensworthy
University of Otago, Dunedin
Fer Andrei Martinez
Bassett Plumbing & Drainage, Auckland
Jesse Soares
Bassett Plumbing & Drainage, Auckland
Daniel McClennan
Bassett Plumbing & Drainage, Auckland
QUALIFIED
Congrats to Cameron King for qualifying in Drainlaying!
INTRODUCTION TO GAS WORKSHOP
A lucky group of Masterlink apprentices got to enjoy a tour of the Rinnai factory in May as part of a one-day Introduction to Gas workshop pilot from Masterlink and Rinnai. The workshop covers natural gas and LPG, with topics including trade science, combustion and products of combustion, basic burners and safety devices, and ventilation and commissioning. The aim is to deliver this workshop to Masterlink apprentices around the motu.
GET IN TOUCH
Masterlink apprentices on the workshop pilot enjoyed a Rinnai factory tour and looked at basic servicing and commissioning of a Rinnai Infinity gas continuous flow appliance.
Karl Quayle celebrating the recent completion of his plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeship with his family.
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WorkSafe should be notified of any excavation deeper than 1.5m when a worker is intended to be in the trench.
Make sure your team are properly informed, trained and supervised when working in trenches.
TRENCH SAFETY: CLOSE CALL
The sentencing of a drainage company following a trench collapse that nearly buried a worker alive is a stark reminder to have safe systems in place.
A Waikato drainage company was fined $275,000 earlier this year after one of its workers was nearly buried in a trench collapse. The worker was doing measurements in the 3m x 2m trench, while his fellow worker was operating a digger when one of the side walls gave way. The victim’s workmate had to use his hands to clear the dirt so the victim could breathe, and a spade to dig him free. The victim suffered a collapsed lung, broken rib cage, broken sternum and broken collarbone and has post-traumatic stress disorder due to the incident.
A WorkSafe investigation found the trench had been built with a flat floor and vertical sides, rather than shored up with shields or battered into a safe slope, and there had been no geotechnical assessment of the soil
stability before work began. The drainage company did not have a safe system of work in place for the job, and did not provide enough information, training or supervision to protect workers from the risk of collapse. The company also did not notify WorkSafe, as required for any excavation deeper than 1.5m and when a worker is intended to be in the trench.
“Anyone digging such a deep trench should be aware of the possibility of collapse and should take proper precautions,” said WorkSafe area investigation manager Paul West.
Following 14 steps will ensure a new drain is successfully installed into an existing concrete slab.
AUTHOR: DAVID HINDLEY
Figure 1: Plan for a new shower waste.
When a concrete slab on ground for a new house is designed and poured, it should already include all the necessary provisions for drainage and other services. Where an existing slab needs to be cut for a new waste pipe or drain to be installed, repairing the cut in the right way is crucial for the slab’s strength and resilience.
This advice may differ from what is required for a main drain or easement drainage beneath a slab. In these cases, the owner should seek specific engineering design advice and check the Building Consent Authority’s requirements before commencing work. Main drains may require sleeving and additional foundation work at the slab perimeter.
Relevant Building Code clauses and standards
The work must comply with Building Code clauses and standards, including:
B1 Structure
B2 Durability (a minimum of 50 years)
G13 Foul water (for wastewater pipes) – compliance can be demonstrated several ways, including through use of G13/AS2 or G13/AS3, which reference AS/NZS 3500.2:2021 Plumbing and drainage – Part 2: Sanitary plumbing and drainage
NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings section 3 Site requirements and section 7.5 Concrete slab-on-ground floors for timber buildings as modified by B1/AS1.
Involve an architect or engineer
An architect, LBP designer or chartered professional engineer will typically be involved in making the decisions over what is required and how compliance with the Building Code and standards will be demonstrated. They will need to confirm which Acceptable Solution or standard they intend to comply with prior to lodging a building consent.
For example, they will need to choose G13/AS1 and G13/AS2 or G13/AS3 (AS/NZS3500.2) as the pathway as you cannot mix the two solutions. The engineer may be able to advise on the stability of the slab and the design of the new slab and reinforcing prior to consent. However, this may be best done on a site inspection after the slab has been cut.
Consider whether the physical work of repairing the slab can be carried out by the existing building contractor or whether a specialist operator should be brought in – the drainlaying itself will need to be carried out by a registered drainlayer.
In some cases, proposed drainage plans may show a different option to run drainage without having to cut the slab. However, where this is an option the architect or designer will usually be involved in the decision. The property owner should always be informed of proposed work.
The process
In practical terms, the work is a 14-step process (see Figures 1, 2 and 3):
1. Saw cut the slab and remove the concrete, reinforcing, DPM, insulation and so on. Take care not to cut or remove the slab perimeter reinforcing bars. If this is not possible, engage an engineer to oversee and instruct the work.
2. Dig out the ground under the slab to the required depth, ensuring that at least the minimum required falls in the drainage pipe will be achieved. Pipes under a concrete slab complying with G13/AS2 must be laid straight with an even and maximum practicable fall.
under slab insulation (EPS or XPS)
3. Prepare bedding for the pipe. The pipe must be on a minimum 150mm compacted base bedding of sand or other granular material.
new DPM taped to existing existing mesh
under slab insulation (EPS or XPS)
4. Lay the drainage pipe to the required falls and backfill over the pipes. The clearance between the top of the pipe and the underside of the slab must be no less than 25mm under AS/NZS 3500.2:2021 or 50mm under G13/AS2. Where a drain enters or exits from under a building, G13/AS2 says there must be an access point within 2.0m outside the building.
5. Lay sand blinding over the backfilled drains and level it out.
6. Lay insulation over the sand blinding if required.
7. Lay DPM such as polythene and tape all the edges. Forming a waterproof junction between new and existing DPM can be difficult but is crucial for a number of reasons, including avoiding the risk of groundwater entering and corroding the reinforcing steel.
8. It can be useful to scabble out a further 250mm around the existing mesh to support good reinforcing connections. (This is more typically done on commercial projects where engineers may require it. It is often not carried out on smaller residential projects.)
9. Drill into the slab edges around the opening to allow placement of new reinforcing bars approximately 50mm (confirm all measurements with the engineer) below the slab surface (NZS 3604:2011 requires a minimum 30mm cover). Cut starter bars of approximately 400mm long from D12
dowels (or to match existing reinforcing or as an engineer specifies). Place the starters at approximately 150300mm centres in accordance with the engineer’s instructions.
10. Use epoxy resin (as specified by the engineer) to fix the starters in place, usually by injecting it into the holes. Clean the concrete first by waterblasting and using compressed air. Ensure the concrete is dry before installing the epoxy resin, usually a two-part formula, and accurate proportioning and mixing of the constituents is important. Both pot life and curing times are sensitive to temperature. This work should not be carried out below 5°C or above 30°C. Consult the manufacturer for use outside this temperature range. Once the starters are in place, insert plastic safety end caps on the exposed cut ends to protect workers from injury while the epoxy resin sets.
11. When the epoxy resin has set, tie the reinforcing bars to the starter bars.
12. Lay new mesh within the opening and tie it to the existing mesh.
13. Prepare to pour the slab to the correct specification, for example, 20MPa. Concrete strength must meet the requirements of NZS 3604:2011 sections 2.6 and 4.5.
14. After pouring, make sure the slab is cured to reduce the risk of cracking. Note that prior to covering the draining and again prior to pouring the concrete, the BCA may need to carry out inspections before being able to issue a Code Compliance Certificate. It is a good idea to photograph each stage of the works so you have evidence of exactly what was done, the process and the materials used.
This article first appeared in BRANZ Build 202, June-July 2024
Figure 3: Proposed drainage under slab detail.
Figure 2: Existing slab detail.
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THE TOILET WILL SEE YOU NOW INSTANT HEALTH
ASSESSMENTS FROM YOUR BATHROOM
The tentacles of the tech revolution have entered the most private of places to monitor users’ vital organs, and even urine.
AUTHOR: MARK SELLMAN, TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT, THE TIMES UK
If stepping on the bathroom scales is enough to fill you with dread, things are about to get a lot harder.
An abundance of smart bathroom products that analyse your heart, body, mind – and urine – will be released this year.
Body Scan from Withings, a French company, is a scale (£350 plus subscription) that can give you an ECG, plus readings on body composition, metabolic rate and nerve health.
Withings is also releasing the U-scan (£449 plus subscription), a smart device for the toilet that can do a urine analysis to test your hydration, nutrition, menstrual cycles and spot early markers for kidney stones. If you share the loo, it can detect who is sitting on it. Vivoo, a urine testing company founded by female scientists, has also developed a similar attachment for toilet seats.
For health obsessives and data junkies, of course, this is progress.
Withings will also release the BeamO
There is no personal data that technology companies will not collect: now your toilet could carry out a range of health tests.
Like the magic mirror in fairy tales, the NuraLogix version gives an honest assessment.
BATHROOM OF THE FUTURE:
New smart toilets, scales and mirrors are being released this year that tap into rising consumer interest in monitoring their physical and mental health.
Smart toilets
Urine-testing toilets can check hydration, nutrition, menstrual cycles and spot early markers for kidney stones. Bidets can be controlled using your voice.
“multiscope” that is a thermometer, electrocardiogram, oximeter and stethoscope, one device rolled into one to monitor your vital signs.
Baracoda, also a French company, unveiled its new AI smart mirror this year called the BMind, that acts as a mental health coach. It analyses your expressions, gestures and tone to determine your mood and offers advice, meditations, breathing exercises, light and sounds to help you cope with the day ahead. The company has no release date yet for the product. The NuraLogix MagicMirror, a similar device, promises to calculate 100 health readings from a 30-second scan.
The list of connected bathroom devices is as long as your arm: voice activated controls for your shower and lighting, smart taps and shower heads to help conserve water. Why is all this happening?
Brian Comiskey, senior director of innovation and trends at the Consumer Technology Association, sees a merging of developments. “When I think about
bathroom tech, I think of it as the convergence of a few sector trends in general. It’s health tech, smart home tech, lifestyle tech and sometimes beauty tech too, when you think about smart mirrors.
“They’re all following this arc that you could ascribe three words to which are: personalised, accessible and intelligent.”
Putting so much health information in the hands of a company can come with privacy risks, however. The Information Commissioner’s Office issued a warning to consumers in December about connected devices.
The watchdog said “don’t switch off during setup” and use privacy controls to protect your data. An investigation from Which? last year found that washing machines and security cameras were “spying” on consumers by collecting more data than necessary.
Researchers at the Mozilla Foundation, a nonprofit organisation, said “Withings is pretty good at privacy” when they looked at the Body Scan for their “privacy not
Smart mirrors
Mirror, mirror on the wall: AI devices can assess your mood and take up to 100 health readings from a 30-second scan.
Smart scales
Just checking your weight is so passé: scales can give you an ECG and take readings on body composition, metabolic rate and nerve health.
included” guide. That was not the case for a similar product, the Eufy Smart Scale, which, the researchers said, raised “a few red flags for us on the privacy front, so here’s hoping all your visceral fat data stays private!”
One device that drew attention at CES, the consumer tech show in Las Vegas in January, was the voice-activated toilet by Kohler, a US manufacturer. The PureWash E390 is a $2,149 bidet seat that attaches to your lavatory, so you activate the spray, warm air dryer and UV clearing features using your phone (no touching!).
One remote-controlled toilet/bidet, the £2,500 Catalona Cataclean, is becoming popular, according to one retailer. “I do very well with them,” said Craig Ditchburn, a sales representative from UK Bathroom Warehouse in Oxford. “A lot of people are going down the route where they don’t want to use toilet paper. It’s environmentally friendly.”
Depending on where you sit on the issue, it’s all either a leap forward or a way to flush your money away.
Functionality need not compromise aesthetics in today’s accessible bathroom, as shown by the two examples on these pages using fixtures and fittings from the
Accessible bathrooms have come a long way from a white frame over the toilet with raised seat, hospital-style grab rails and rubber mats. NZ Plumber looks into the aesthetics and functionality of today’s accessible bathroom.
AUTHOR: DAWN ADAMS
Around 25% of our population is over 65, and by 2028
Statistics NZ expects this to reach 30%. Many will choose to age in place. Some will live multi-generationally with children providing care, while others will access in-home care. Maintaining independence and dignity is important for older people or those who live with a disability. They want to manage activities of daily living with as little help as possible – and bathroom accessibility is a key part of this.
“Being able to live independently is a big driver for people when considering future proofing their home,” says Nick Swan from Caroma. “Unfortunately, assistive features, such as grab rails, continue to carry a stigma as people associate them with hospitals. It is, therefore, important to ensure people are aware of the options available to them. As the number of people aging increases, more design-led fixtures and fittings are becoming available in the market.”
Caroma Opal range.
Layout considerations
Bathroom layouts will depend on your clients’ needs and physical abilities. Because wheelchair users have similar needs, clear guidelines are readily available. In this situation, BRANZ recommends allowing a 1500mm turning circle and 810mm doorway width.
Placing fixtures with room for easy transfers is essential. Wheelchair users usually transfer from the toilet pan side or front.
“The transfer is easier when both seats are at the same height, typically 460-480mm,” says BRANZ.
Wall-hung basins that fit a wheelchair beneath are ideal. Basin height is important, so the client is close enough. A good height is 800-830mm above the floor, and the mirror height needs to be lower too.
For showers, BRANZ says 1000mm x 1000mm is the minimum size a wheelchair user needs to move around comfortably.
Safety first
“The bathroom remains one of the highest risk areas in the home as people age,” says Nick Swan.
An in-depth discussion with clients is important to learn what their needs are – and how they might change in the future. For some private and most commercial clients, carer access and an emergency alarm could be useful to include.
A variety of modern finishes are now available for accessible fixtures, as these Caroma Opal support rails demonstrate.
Getting the look
With home improvements, the client’s focus is often on the finished look. In terms of accessibility, they may not be familiar with the growing number of colour schemes, fixtures and fittings that are now available. “Clients can mix and match products with their existing bathrooms and achieve a visually appealing outcome,” says Pascale Desrumaux at Kohler.
For visually impaired clients, the Caroma Care range has braille toilet flush buttons in high-contrast colours.
Englefield’s Sierra range is similar, also offering a high-contrast seat ring. Their Raised Height toilet has a raised pan that supports a user to sit and stand with less joint strain. Their Hyten raised seat and arm rests offer this feature too.
Toilets with a built-in bidet can also make life easier for less mobile clients, and toilet roll holders are best positioned below grab rails.
When it comes to tapware, installing an EasySwitch or similar tapware system could be a topic to raise with older clients planning on ageing at home. This gives upgrade options for easy-grip designs as their needs change.
Pivots and turns are tough for less mobile people. “It is recommended the basin is located across from the toilet on a diagonal,” says Nick. “This allows a person to stand up from the toilet and reach the basin through a forward step rather than pivoting.”
With a basin opposite the toilet, there’s an injury risk if the user falls forward as they stand. A diagonal position also means turns are reduced. Nick suggests a coloured tile contrast walkway against a white floor background. “This is particularly helpful for those affected by dementia,” he says, as it can be used as a guide to the toilet, basin and shower.
Positioning tapware on the left or right of the basin is easier for wheelchair users, with an infrared motion-activated tap being another option.
Wheel-in wet rooms
Wet-room showers with level floor and reduced-slip surfaces are great for anyone with limited mobility. It’s best to avoid steps or lips, which are a barrier and trip hazard.
Tap positions work better left, right or opposite the shower flow. Someone with less mobility can’t move away from too cool or hot water quickly.
One in three people over 65 injures themselves in a fall each year, rising to one in two at 80 and above, according to ACC. Englefield Durastone Plus shower trays are a good option for helping prevent falls in the bathroom.
The Kohler Hyten seat has a raised pan that supports a user to sit and stand with less joint strain.
wheelchair user as well as family members who stand to shower.
Fitted or freestanding shower chairs are an alternative to the wheelchair getting wet. They work well for clients with balance problems too.
For hob-mounted or level-entry showers, Englefield Durastone Plus Solid Surface provides higher slip resistance, advises Pascale.
“Durastone Plus Solid Surface is made of a single material,” she says. “And Englefield acrylic walls with a number of storage options make it nearly impossible for water penetration.”
These choices are more hygienic and make for less ongoing maintenance.
MORE INFORMATION
New Zealand Building Code Clause D - Universal design for wet areas – BRANZ Build, April-May 2015, buildmagazine.org.nz
For over 85 years Jung Pumpen has been a reliable partner for sewage and wastewater disposal across the globe. Producing high-quality pumps and pumping stations for both small-scale domestic house and land drainage to large-scale industrial and community wastewater treatment. Due to the high quality materials and optimum motor protection these pumps are well known for their dependability and long service life.
MADEIN GERMANY
NIEDAM YNAMREG
Englefield Sierra has a contrasting seat ring and push buttons to help visually challenged clients.
WHAT’S MAKING WAVES IN THE BATHROOM
For homeowners wanting to revitalise their bathrooms, Waterware has some top trends for blending comfort and style into a personal retreat.
Embracing these trends will ensure bathrooms are both functional and visually appealing.
1. Warm and earthy neutrals: With their rich, organic hues, cosy creams, beiges and taupe transform bathrooms into serene havens.
2. Nature’s palette: Deep greens and purples bring the tranquillity of the outdoors inside, creating a calming ambience.
3. Terracotta love: Terracotta combines rustic charm with modern elegance, adding warmth and character.
4. Playful patterns: Bold or subtle patterns in wallpapers and tiles add a personal touch.
5. Creative lighting: Sophisticated lighting options enhance aesthetics and functionality.
6. Spa-like sanctuary: Steam showers, saunas and soft lighting turn any bathroom into a luxurious spa.
7. Bold countertops: Marble, quartz and concrete countertops serve as captivating focal points.
8. Mixed metals: Combining chrome, brass and black creates a modern, eclectic look.
9. Unexpected statements: Unique tiles and vintage baths express personal style. For budget-friendly updates, consider using paint to create a tile effect for temporary tiles.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Waterware leads the way in NZ with innovative bathroomware, plumbing, and radiant heating/cooling tech. Contact Waterware for all your home comfort needs and support: 0800 WATERWARE; waterware.co.nz
Sophisticated lighting greatly enhances the appeal of the contemporary bathroom.
Helping you choose the right products
• Built to last
• Reputable suppliers
• Stylish and functional
• Manufacturer’s warranty
We put each and every Master Plumbers’ Recommends plumbing product to the test. When the product has met all the requirements, then it gets our tick of approval. Helping you to choose plumbing products that are right for your home.
Find out more about Master Plumbers’ Recommends by visiting tickofapproval.co.nz or phone 0800 502 105.
Master Plumbers 2021 Plumbing Product of the Year KOHLER MallecoTM Touchless Kitchen Mixer
FIRE SPREAD PREVENTING
Local New Zealand manufacturer Allproof has advice for plumbers installing passive fire protection to plumbing systems.
AUTHOR: ALLPROOF INDUSTRIES
Recent local and international events, such as the Loafers Lodge fire in Wellington, have highlighted the importance of Passive Fire Protection (PFP) in building design and operation. This heightened awareness has generated increased scrutiny in the design, selection and installation of PFP products. Fully understanding the
requirements and documentation for compliant installations greatly improves the install process and can ultimately save the lives of building occupants.
Manufacturer’s tested solution
NZBC C/AS2 clause 4.4 and AS4072.12005 clause 4.6 outline that PFP solutions must be installed identically
to the manufacturer’s tested solution, comprising the elements specified in the installation details and test results documents. This applies to:
Core hole size
Fixing type
Sealant type
Wall or floor types
Substrate thicknesses.
A product or solution cannot be altered in any way from the tested solution– including the orientation, such as wall or floor.
In accordance with AS 4072.1-2005 an install scenario that hasn’t been tested can only be used if it is:
a) approved by the regulatory authority;
b) permitted in accordance with AS 1530.4; or
c) formally assessed by a registered testing authority.
Who can install
Currently PFP is not a registered trade. Installation can be completed by any suitably competent and experienced person. While not a requirement, installers can obtain a level 3 qualification in PFP installation.
Plumbers are experienced and highly knowledgeable in the plumbing systems passing through penetrations in fire cells and installing systems to manufacturers’ details.
The integration of PFP with plumbing systems is generally covered in NZQA recognised plumbing training modules and qualifications. Additionally, the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) addresses the importance, and critical aspects, of PFP regarding plumbing systems.
This strongly positions plumbers to complete PFP installation by coordinating with the site teams with compliant PFP systems that are compatible with the Projects Fire Rating requirements. Installers need to provide evidence to the local Building Consent Authorities (BCA) that PFP systems are installed as per the consented specification and design. This information is often captured in a
schedule that records all penetrations in the fire cell, identifying the details of each. The schedule is often submitted with an accompanying producer statement, which identifies/indicates the NZBC clause the installation complies with.
Manufacturing know-how
Allproof were engaged by the PGDB for insights into PFP installation when developing the 2023 CPD course. The company also donate PFP product samples to tertiary education providers for the purpose of training apprentice
Passive fire protection test of an Allproof Cyclone floor waste installed in a concrete slab with Allproof fire collar.
Composite steel tray floor slab with Allproof Cyclone floor waste and drop-in fire collar.
plumbers and – as a plumbing, drainage and PFP manufacturer – Allproof are uniquely positioned to design and manufacture integrated systems.
Drawing upon this experience, Allproof design, develop and test new products specifically catering to challenges in the local New Zealand industry. When composite steel tray floors with undulating profiles were introduced to NZ, they were able to respond to demand as the innovator of the drop-in fire collar system. This is an
Floor waste applications
Allproof’s NZ made advanced intumescent technology enables the company to supply some of the highest performing products on the market. This becomes a defining feature in floor waste applications. When testing these, a thermocouple is positioned directly in the centre of the open metallic or plastic grate, or the area with the highest exposure to heat, as the water trap below combusts/melts.
Allproof’s advanced intumescent is able to activate and close the opening before exceeding the temperature allowance on the thermocouple, giving the company a full FRR result for insulation and integrity that cannot be achieved by most competitors globally.
excellent example of how Allproof are able to respond to industry developments using Kiwi ingenuity combined with advanced production facilities.
The intumescent material is produced in-house, then cut and assembled into a range of products at the head office factory in Auckland. The cast-in fire collar range is moulded on site from 100% recycled materials using clean solar energy, reducing the carbon footprint of innovative NZ-made products.
All testing and assessments are conducted by independent accredited testing laboratories. Further to this, Allproof’s PFP range and literature has been BRANZ Appraised, ensuring integrity and providing utmost assurance in selection, performance and installation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Allproof’s technical team support and train plumbers through its national sales network, offering a range of solutions for PFP with a focus on plumbing and drainage. This helps mitigate risk for plumbers, as the Allproof team have extensive specialist knowledge of PFP requirements and how they relate to the plumbing industry, including piping systems, installation methods and substrate requirements.
Allproof fire collars installed.
UPVC pipe through 13mm plasterboard wall with Allproof fire collar.
The future of energy 100 years and
counting
For a century, we’ve perfected warming homes, not the planet. Our German engineered hot water solutions, pioneered by the first heat pump 50 years ago, deliver unmatched efficiency and sustainable hot water. Experience the future of home comfort, today. Make your next project a STIEBEL ELTRON project.
www.stiebel-eltron.co.nz
Introducing SecuraOne® – hot and cold system evolution
An industry first, SecuraOne® is the only hot and cold system on the market that offers one range of fittings designed to work with both PB and PEX pipes.
SecuraOne PB and SecuraOne PEX pipes are made to the same metric SDR9 dimensions to provide a standardised high performance and feature a PN20 pressure rating*, making it easier for installers to select and purchase either pipe depending on job requirements.
The comprehensive range of SecuraOne fittings are made from lead free brass and reduce the number of tools required for a job. One set of SecuraOne tools is all that’s required for crimping SecuraOne fittings with both SecuraOne PB and SecuraOne PEX pipes.
Backed by Marley, the brand you know and trust that has been in the industry for over 65 years.
To find out more visit www.marley.co.nz/secura-one
*Only SecuraOne 12mm PB maintains the PN16 rating.
New Lavish brass shower range from Greens Tapware
Greens Tapware is excited to introduce the new Lavish shower range. Exquisite in its design and attention to detail, the Lavish range has sophistication at its core. With bathrooms being a key design space for the home, it’s important that fixtures deliver on quality, functionality and aesthetics, helping create that important sense of peace and harmony in the bathroom sanctuary.
Truly a leader in its class, the Lavish range is available in five beautiful finishes and engineered with benefits that are core to its design. Key features include a unique full brass, fully adjustable 22mm wet rail. Installation can be aligned to a top or bottom inlet. The range is available in all shower formats: twin rail, rail, hand, ceiling and wall with WELS 3-star 9.0 L/M. The Lavish range also features a 250mm drencher, and a full brass 120mm high flow handset – quality you can feel. Add a touch of style to your bathroom and feel the difference.
Makita 80Vmax (40V x2) XGT® Demolition Breaker
The Makita 40Vmax XGT® Demolition Breaker Hammer HM004GZ01 with AVT® is engineered to be the most efficient breaker hammer in its class with a 4,400W total power output and a powerful and efficient 40Vmax XGT® Brushless Motor that provides 870 BPM. Also featuring soft start mode, HM004GZ01 boasts a staggering corded and petrol powered equivalent 72.8 joules of impact energy with less vibration. HM004GZ01 accepts commonly used 28.6mm Hex Shank Demolition breaker bits. HM004GZ01 is equipped with XPT (Extreme Protection Technology), protecting internal components from dust and water ingress, ensuring durability and longer life to withstand the harshest commercial jobsite conditions.
The HM004GZ01 with AVT® is a hard-hitting breaker hammer for digging, chipping and breaking. Its superior efficiency, versatility and comfort make the HM004GZ01 ideal for plumbers seeking a best-in-class industrial quality, fully cordless breaker hammer.
Groundplan: new Length Labelling feature
Groundplan’s new Length Labelling feature is ideal for plumbers during the set-out phase of new builds. With real-time Length Labelling, plumbers can incorporate letters, numbers, and special characters to denote pipework, drainage, and other elements directly on their plans. Length Labelling helps plumbers clearly communicate and identify sewer and waste drainage, PVC/DWC sizes, and other important details crucial for new bathroom construction. This assists with communicating set out points for team members on-site. Once the job is done, plumbers can also provide professional asbuilt plans for submission to council.
To learn more or sign up for a free trial, visit https://groundplan.com
Hydroflow’s Terminator range, now lead-free*
Hydroflow’s popular Terminator cistern tap range, with its innovative swivel nut design, is now manufactured using lead-free* brass.
This range features a rotating nut, allowing the outlet to be adjusted to the correct position for easy connection. The cone washer seals on the inside of the brass nipple, meaning Teflon tape or hemp is not required, minimising the risk of leakage.
Features:
Install to desired position first time
Highly polished chrome Slimline compact profile
– great for confined spaces
Hot and cold indicators included
Maximum working pressure 500kPa.
*Lead-free products are classified as having a weighted average lead content of no more than 0.25%. Refer to MBIE’s Building Code update 2022 – Lead in plumbing products
Leak Proof Lid –keeping stormwater out of gully traps
The Leak Proof Lid is a New Zealand-made solution for gully traps, designed to stop stormwater contamination in its tracks.
Invented by builder/drainlayer Mike Bourke and the team at EcoGuys, the Leak Proof Lid was born from a mission to save time and avoid costly remedial work often associated with traditional drainage installations.
Designed for easy installation, the Leak Proof Lid is made from 100% recyclable, UV-resistant materials and is WaterMark certified. Don’t let compliance issues slow you down. The Leak Proof Lid revolutionises residential and commercial drainage and contributes to cleaner waterways in one smart move.
The Leak Proof Lid is set to launch into major plumbing outlets in New Zealand in August.
Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers wanting to know more about the Leak Proof Lid from EcoGuys can register their interest at https://ecoguys.nz/contact
MOPEKA Pro Check ultrasonic gas level sensor
The MOPEKA cylinder gas indicator uses ultrasonic technology to measure the amount of gas in the cylinder. Using Bluetooth connection, it sends gas level information to a free smartphone app.
Compact sensor for checking the level of gases and liquids in tanks
Ideal for 9kg & 45kg cylinders at home, motorhomes, caravans and boats
Using Bluetooth, they transmit notifications and alarms about the level of gas in the cylinder to any smartphone, thanks to a free app.
Main features:
Device compatible with iOS and Android
Ultrasonic sensor
Mounting to the bottom of the cylinder with a built-in magnet
Compatible with all cylinder sizes up to 550kg
Free Mopeka TankCheck app
Possibility to connect an infinite number of sensors.
GALIANO KONTACT
Make a statement in your kitchen with the new Galiano Kontact® Pull-Down Sink Mixer.
A user focused design for the busy modern kitchen space for all those times when you have your hands full. Kontact® sink mixers are elegant, effortless, and practical. Choose from one of the 6 stunning finishes available in the Galiano range.
Greens Tapware - designed and engineered in NZ since 1935 – fostering the plumbing industry today for a bright future tomorrow.
SCAN QR CODE TO SEE HOW THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS
Trusted!
Comply to current & future standards
Hansen Easy Fit Compression Fittings
Hansen Easy Fit ID Compression Fittings
Hansen True Fit Threaded Fittings
Hansen True Fit Tank Fittings
Hansen Full Flow Ball Valves
Hansen Fastflo Valves
Hansen Easy Fit Poly Fittings
BUSINESS STARTERS
SOLE TRADER CHECKLIST
Steps to getting set up available for business starters.
Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers looking to start their own business can get practical advice at business.govt.nz. The website has a checklist for sole traders, giving steps on how to get set up. It is also helpful for any sole traders thinking of growing their business.
Find
The checklist covers:
How to get started – What agencies to register with Financial tasks – How to keep track of income and expenditure
Business paperwork – What to file to be compliant
Hiring staff – What to do to bring on staff.
CASHIES too good to be true?
Cashies, cash jobs, cash-in-hand: whether it’s a favour for a mate, or a job paid entirely in cash, all cashies carry the same risk, as law firm Duncan Cotterill explains.
AUTHOR: KIRSTY WALLACE, SPECIAL COUNSEL, DUNCAN COTTERILL
Everyone is aware of the pressures the plumbing industry has faced in recent years and continues to face today. Increases in costs and a lack of labour and materials have proved to be huge obstacles. Whether you are a company or an employee plumber, drainlayer or gasfitter, accepting cashies to release some of the pressure can leave you in a massive hole.
Here are five reasons why you should not accept a cashie:
1. It undermines the hard work you do to grow your business! You should be able to reap the rewards of your hard work. Relying too heavily on cashies means the income you generate and the income you are recorded as generating can be very different. This might lower the value of your business.
This can backfire in the long run, particularly when you are looking to sell your business and you want to buff up your sales as much as you can.
2. It leaves you high and dry if anything goes wrong No matter how good your tools are, jobs don’t always go to plan. When that happens, it is important that you can rely on your
insurance to help you out.
Insurance policies will not cover cash jobs that are not recorded. So, if a customer raises any issues with your work, it is up to you to deal with it.
3. It might damage your relationship with customers
In the same way you cannot rely on your insurance for cashies, a customer cannot rely on their Master Plumbers Guarantee. Cashies can be a nice favour for close family and friends. But if something goes wrong, cashies can quickly turn into a time-consuming job that takes away from your actual work. To avoid any drama, it is much easier to have a contract on hand before starting work.
4. It distorts the playing field
Accepting cashies to avoid paying tax is unfair to those who do their bit to meet their tax obligations.
It is unfair for you to benefit from additional income when others are playing by the rules, despite the challenges the plumbing industry is facing. While it would be nice to hold on to
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is! Accepting cashies can leave you in a massive hole.
some extra cash, you are likely to lose more in the long run and damage the industry’s reputation while you’re at it.
5. It is illegal and the consequences are big
To be clear: it is absolutely legal to take payment in cash, so long as you record the job and declare the income.
However, taking cash payments from the customer and putting them straight in your pocket is illegal. Even more, it can put you in hot water with Inland Revenue. IR has a range of tools at their fingertips to track down undeclared income — including income made from cashies.
The penalty for failing to make a required deduction on your income can be a fine of 150% of the tax shortfall. In extreme cases, you could even face prison time or a fine of up to $50,000.
SAME GOES FOR EMPLOYEES
If you are an employee, accepting cashies puts your career at risk too. If something goes wrong with a cashie, your employer won’t be pleased to hear their Master Plumbers Guarantee is not available for the customer. Regardless, accepting a cashie will attract IR’s attention, as well as an investigation by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). This can also lead to a serious misconduct investigation with your employer. Ultimately, you could lose your job and your licence.
How to protect yourself
Tax avoidance is not always committed intentionally. It can be quite a big job to figure out exactly how much you have to pay, particularly for new business owners or employees coming clean with their employer. But intention aside, if you get caught, you’re in trouble.
IR’s most recent message is to ‘cut the excuses’. To protect yourself, your business and your customers, here are a few things you can do:
Make sure to record all the jobs you complete
Declare all income you receive and charge GST if you are a GST registered business
Make sure your employees are registered
No matter how small the job, make sure you have a written contract for it – this can make a world of difference down the line
If you do get stuck – ask for help.
Thanks to Duncan Cotterill team members Jack Douglas and Molly Hurley for their contribution to this article.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kirsty Wallace is a seasoned litigation and dispute resolution lawyer specialising in employment law. Kirsty is experienced in representing clients in a wide range of disputes in various courts and tribunals. She enjoys building strong relationships with clients, understanding their issues and providing clear and practical solution-based advice that delivers results. Contact Kirsty on 04 471 9411; www.duncancotterill.com
Flow Consulting is pleased to provide BIM modelling services direct to commercial plumbing companies.
Our Services Include:
• White-labelled coordinated plumbing designs to assist with your design build projects that require modelling in Revit
• Services coordination and clash detection
• Shop drawings
• As-builts in Revit or Auto cad
Our Waikato based team are NZ trade qualified hydraulic services consultants and BIM modelling specialists. We are plumbers designing for plumbers. www.flowconsulting.co.nz
WHAT’S NEW IN BUDGET 2024
Three aspects of the Government’s 2024 budget are particularly relevant for trade business owners and self-employed people, as Brett Crombie explains here.
AUTHOR: BRETT CROMBIE, STRAIGHTEDGE ACCOUNTING
The Government’s 2024 budget was announced by Finance Minister Nicola Willis on 30 May. The focus of Minister Willis’ pitch was on fiscal responsibility and reining in the extraordinary ramp up in government spending which has seen Crown debt rise from 20% of GDP to 43% of GDP in the past six years.
The following aspects of the budget are especially relevant for business owners and the self-employed.
1. Tax threshold changes
While the individual tax rates do not change, there are changes to the tax bands (thresholds). This reduces the tax payable by salary and wage earners, including self-employed business owners.
For self-employed tradespeople with income in this range, this credit will provide additional tax savings on top of the tax threshold changes mentioned above. Note that for many solo operators who pay themselves a shareholder salary rather than PAYE-deducted wages, this credit needs to be claimed in the annual IR3 return, as it is not paid automatically.
In my experience, eligibility for this credit can come as a pleasant surprise to clients, so be sure to check with your accountant if you believe you are eligible.
3. Extra funding for Inland Revenue
While the budget resulted in cuts to many government programmes, funding to Inland Revenue for ‘Compliance Activities’ was boosted. An additional $29 million per year is allocated toward this purpose.
This means that Inland Revenue activity in terms of chasing overdue debt and tax returns may increase, along with audit activity. This is not an issue for tradespeople who are up to date and running a tight ship. For anyone who feels like their tax and bookkeeping affairs have become a bit loose, now is a good time to attend to any issues.
Tax savings
$180,001 upwards $180,001 upwards, no change 39% https://www.ird.govt.nz/pages/campaigns/personal-income-tax-threshold-changes
2. Independent Earner Tax Credit (IETC)
The IETC is a tax credit of up to $10 per week for people earning between $24,000 to $48,000. The maximum annual credit is $520. From 31 July this band changes to $24,000 to $70,000, resulting in many more people being eligible for the credit. The ‘abatement threshold’ has also changed from $44,000 to $66,000, this being the level beyond which the credit starts to drop from the $10 maximum.
Overall, this budget offered self-employed tradespeople and small business owners some light tax relief. The greatest tax saving comes for those with incomes from $53,501 to $66,000. For these people, the annual savings from the changes to tax thresholds and the IETC threshold is $1,319.50, or $50.75 per fortnight. This is a worthwhile sum for the many tradespeople and workers who are feeling the pinch as living costs continue rising.
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
Winter wellness
Although an apple a day may not keep the doctor away, healthy food choices are guaranteed to help you combat winter bugs.
AUTHOR: KELLY HYLAND
A range of nutrients play important immune supporting roles, all easily obtained by food. Combat the winter bugs with these ‘food fighters’.
Vitamin A – Defence against illness and infection.
Carotenoids (found in colourful veggies and fruit such as carrots, spinach, pumpkin, kumara, capsicum, mango and apricots) turn into vitamin A in the body.
Vitamin C – Helps reduce duration and severity of colds.
Sources include: Liver*, lean red meat†, seafood, kidney, pork,
poultry. Also good, especially when eaten alongside vitamin C foods, are wholegrains (bread, cereals, oats), spinach, silverbeet, beans, peas, legums, nuts, dried fruit.
Zinc – Helps immune system performance and wounds to heal. Sources include: Lean red meat†, oysters, legumes, yoghurt, wholegrains, nuts, seeds.
Selenium – Antioxidant and keeps immune system healthy. Sources include: Brazil nuts‡, seeds, mushrooms, eggs, wholegrains.
Probiotics – Friendly live gut bacteria with multiple health benefits. Sources include: Yoghurt with live cultures, milk drinks such as Yakult, kefir, kombucha, fermented vegetables (eg, sauerkraut, kimchi).
* Avoid during pregnancy
†
‡
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.
Navigating economic headwinds
In today’s uncertain market, many plumbing businesses are facing tough decisions around their team structure. Lisa Duston offers some advice.
AUTHOR: LISA DUSTON, PEOPLE & CULTURE MANAGER, MASTER PLUMBERS
Whether it’s due to changing work availability or economic pressures, you may be considering a business restructure.
This can seem an overwhelming task but the key to an effective process is good and open communication with your team. Ensure your employees understand the reasons behind any proposed changes and feel a valued part of the decision-making process. Presenting your plans clearly and being transparent, while also being open to feedback, can help ease concerns and promote a sense of trust.
Navigating the legal landscape of employment agreements and workplace policies can be tricky. Failure to follow legal requirements could result in costly disputes or legal implications down the line.
C A ROM A
One common pitfall in restructuring is overlooking alternative options to laying off employees. While redundancy may seem like the most straightforward solution, it’s worth exploring other opportunities such as adjusting job roles, offering training or redeployment opportunities, or implementing flexible work arrangements. Not only can this help retain valuable talent, but it can also demonstrate your commitment to supporting your team during challenging times.
Ignoring the emotional impact of restructuring on your employees is another pitfall to avoid. Uncertainty about job security can lead to anxiety, stress, and low morale. By providing clear and empathetic communication, offering support resources, and being transparent about the process, you can help ease some of these concerns and maintain a positive work environment. Restructuring requires careful planning, effective communication, and a commitment to fairness and transparency. By addressing potential pitfalls and seeking support from resources like the Master Plumbers HR helpline or the Duncan Cotterill legal helpline, you can navigate this challenging time while safeguarding the wellbeing of your team and the integrity of your business.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: The Master Plumbers HR team understands the challenges and complexities involved in restructuring and is here to support members. Contact People & Culture Manager Lisa Duston—details in the member log-in at www.masterplumbers.org.nz
ACCESS NOW
P LUM B E R S’ HU B IS N OW LI VE !
Mental health framework for businesses
Champion mental health in your workplace with the new Master Plumbers Mental Health Framework.
In today’s fast-paced world, mental health has become a crucial aspect of workplace wellbeing. Recognising this, Master Plumbers has introduced a Mental Health Framework – a comprehensive guide and audit system designed to help business owners identify risks and create a supportive and healthy work environment.
Mental health is a vital component of the working environment, and organisations have a responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to ensure they are providing a workplace that supports the mental health of their staff (WorkSafe – Mentally Healthy Work).
The Master Plumbers Mental Health Framework underscores the importance of safeguarding both your own and your employees’ mental health. It provides a structured guide to assist businesses foster a mentally healthy workplace. Active involvement from leadership teams and key stakeholders demonstrates the company’s
commitment to creating a healthy work environment for everyone. The framework offers guidance documentation and information on the importance of mental health, how to identify potential risks, how to conduct the audit process, and suggestions for actions based on audit insights. By examining the identified areas, you will gain a deeper understanding of your workforce and working environment, allowing for targeted improvements.
Completing the Mental Health Framework is the first step in introducing a meaningful and effective mentally healthy workplace policy. By understanding these factors and facilitating open discussions, businesses can work towards creating a positive and supportive workplace culture. When a business or organisation commits to supporting mentally healthy work, its people thrive.
To discover how your workplace can create a healthier workplace, visit the Wellbeing on Tap section of the Master Plumbers website today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rebecca Moss is Health, Safety and Wellbeing Advisor at Master Plumbers and Masterlink. Members, their teams, Masterlink hosts and apprentices can call Rebecca for health and safety advice. To be connected to wellbeing support, call Rebecca on the confidential 0800 Wellbeing number, available in the member log-in at www.masterplumbers.org.nz
MARKETING ACTIVITY ROI
Marketing consultants SideKit share how you can ensure your marketing supports commercial viability with return on investment (ROI).
AUTHOR: GEORGIA GIBBONS, SIDEKIT
Have you ever struggled to decide what marketing is likely to achieve the results that warrant the spend? Planning for and tracking ROI is beneficial for business when evaluating what marketing activities deliver real value and are or (just as importantly) are not worth repeating.
Know the return you need
A good place to start is to determine how much return equates to a viable spend. For example, your business marketing activities may need to earn 10 times the spend in revenue to bring real return to your business. Meaning a $10,000 spend may need to bring in $100,000 revenue to achieve profit and true ROI. This is a good conversation to have with your finance or accounts advisor.
Some businesses know their average win rate and may base ROI off leads added to the pipeline, while others measure actual revenue generated from the activity. For
plumbing companies, this could mean a maintenance focused campaign with faster returns may use revenue tracking, while a project focused campaign may use pipeline tracking.
Not all marketing activities are measured on revenue or pipeline—it will depend on the campaign goals. Other common metrics include landing page visits, email open rates, click through rates, followers, subscribers, form submissions, phone calls, and various other forms of conversions. These are good conversations to have with your marketing advisors.
Whatever your metric, it’s important to know the return you want from the start.
Calculate true investment
Another key component is to ensure all related costs are calculated. For example, when considering a marketing campaign, start by building a plan and budget that factors time cost, advertising spend, print, and any other related costs. This may come
in the form of a quote from your marketing agency if you outsource.
Factoring all costs provides the true investment value to measure.
Supporting ROI
It’s important to know that marketing can only achieve so much on its own and goes hand in hand with other business departments. Consider whether your company has the people, systems and process in place to effectively manage leads and convert sales? For example, if you get a phone lead from a marketing campaign, is your customer service team equipped to convert the sale?
Consider the activity beyond the marketing spend to ensure the investment and results are not jeopardised by another factor.
“The best investment you can make is an investment in yourself… The more you learn, the more you’ll earn.”
WARREN BUFFETT
Is it viable?
When you know the return you need, true cost and resource required, this is where more informed judgement calls are made to calculate estimated ROI and decide whether you think it’s achievable or worth testing viability.
Did it work?
At the appropriate intervals during or after the marketing activity, it will become time to monitor and measure ROI. This will be when you determine whether it was worth the spend and something you want to repeat, adapt, refine or halt.
We hope you see the results you had hoped for!
Don’t be disheartened if you didn’t make the return you had anticipated. A big part of marketing is testing, learning, and continual refinement to improve results and ROI. If it’s your first time, start small and incrementally increase or refine.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Keep up the good work and please don’t hesitate to contact us if your business needs marketing advice. SideKit are a virtual marketing management and assistance team, supporting businesses across NZ. www.sidekit.nz
SOCIAL MEDIA COMPLAINTS AND YOUR BRAND
Has your business received a one-star review on Google? Or a negative comment on Facebook? Here’s some advice on how to deal with online complaints.
AUTHOR: TREVOR SLATER, SIMPLY RESOLUTION
There is no doubt that social media is the new way to complain. We all know how large the social media platforms are. For example, it is estimated that 76% of Kiwis use Facebook. Further, reviews of your business are shown when someone is searching for a service provider on Google or other search engines.
So how do you deal with social media and the threat of the ‘one-star’ review? In my view there are two ways: prevention and response.
Prevention
All businesses need to have a social media presence, whether it’s Facebook or LinkedIn or something else. It doesn’t have to be complex with ‘bells and whistles’, or costly to set up. It should be positive, bright, happy and full of good stories, pictures etc, so it sends a very positive message. It should show the great work you do and the brilliant team you have.
Keeping your site up to date and monitoring reviews can be time-consuming when you are trying to run a business. Look towards the younger people in your whanau who may need a little extra cash and have them do the work for you. Just make sure you give them very clear instructions on what to do!
Response
It can be extremely annoying when you receive a ‘one-star’ rating or criticism about your work. Your first reaction may be to respond with a strong rebuttal or do the opposite and ignore the feedback. Neither is the best option.
You are a professional and, no matter how awful the review, you need to act
professionally. A response is essential. If you look at some hotel reviews, the good quality hotels always respond to negative criticism and in a positive manner. You need to do the same.
If the person publishing the negative review has not been in contact with you, they should be invited to do so. For example: Thank you for your feedback. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and the service we provide our customers. I am sorry to hear we have not met your expectations. I note you have not made direct contact with us over this matter and, as such, I invite you to do so. That way we can try to fix these problems. Our email is …..
If you are aware of the complaint and have tried to address it and/or the review is offensive and personal, something like the following is appropriate:
I have noted your comments and find it disappointing you have decided to raise your concerns via social media. There are ways you can make your complaint and it will be dealt with in a professional manner. We have a formal complaint process. However, if you don’t have confidence in our process, you can refer your concerns to the Disputes Tribunal, which is an independent dispute resolution body and
inexpensive to use. We will cooperate fully with the Disputes Tribunal’s process. I stand by the quality of my work and my service. This is supported by the positive reviews on this site and the feedback I receive from my clients.
These will show that you are professional and willing to have that professionalism tested by an independent body. One final comment. The key to successfully addressing any criticism is to have a good complaint handling process and resources to help you. Ignoring the issue or responding negatively will greatly reduce the likelihood of resolution and potentially damage your brand.
Trevor Slater has been providing complaint assistance to Master Plumbers to make it easier for their members to respond to complaints in a positive manner and with a focus on successful resolution. In the coming months Simply Resolution will be offering a subscription-based service to member businesses, providing comprehensive complaint handling resources at a low cost.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Trevor Slater is a highly experienced dispute resolution practitioner with expertise in complaint handling. He holds a Masters Degree in Conflict resolution, is an accredited mediator and has run workshops and training in many countries. Trevor works with the great team at Simply Resolution, delivering dispute resolution services across many areas. www.simplyresolution.co.nz; email trevor.slater@simplyresolution.co.nz
HOW TO SECURE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
Does your company bid for government tenders? Here are some strategies to strengthen your bids and stand out from the competition.
AUTHOR: JASON COONEY, DIRECTOR, TSAKS CONSULTING
The government tender process offers a wealth of opportunities for plumbers across New Zealand to win new work, including long-term contracts. However, securing these contracts requires a strategic approach that goes beyond simply quoting the lowest price.
1. Highlight your team’s expertise
Government tenders prioritise quality and reliability. Demonstrate this by showcasing your team’s qualifications and expertise. Detail your staff’s licenses, certifications, and ongoing training programmes you have in place to ensure their skills are current. Emphasise any specialisations your team possesses, such as expertise in sustainable plumbing practices or earthquake-resilient installations.
It’s important to tailor your team’s experience to the opportunity. For example, if you are tendering to provide plumbing and hydraulic maintenance services to a government school, be sure to talk about your experience providing maintenance
services as opposed to any of your team members experience on new builds.
2. Structure for success
Government projects often demand rapid response times. In your tender, explain your company structure and how it facilitates prompt service. Detail your call-out procedure, including emergency response protocols. Mention any 24/7 availability if applicable and talk about how you have the resources to deliver a prompt and responsive service.
3. Innovation is key
The plumbing industry is constantly evolving. Highlight your company’s commitment to innovation by mentioning cutting-edge equipment and technologies you utilise. This could include trenchless sewer line replacement methods, advanced leak detection tools, or water-saving plumbing fixtures.
4. Showcase past achievements
Evidence is critical. Or to put it simply,
don’t just tell them you’re good, prove it. Include detailed case studies of past projects, particularly those involving government contracts if you have government experience. Focus on projects similar in scope and complexity to the tender you’re applying for. Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Did you complete a project under budget or ahead of schedule? Mention it!
5. Beyond the pipes: safety and environment
Government tenders prioritise safety and environmental responsibility. Demonstrate your commitment to these values in your bid. Outline your health and safety protocols and mention any certifications you hold related to safe work practices. Highlight your use of eco-friendly materials and water-saving technologies in any projects to ensure your proposal or bid aligns with the government’s requirements and philosophy.
6. Think local, act local
The New Zealand government often prioritises supporting local businesses. Demonstrate your commitment to the community by outlining your policy on hiring local workers and supporting the local economy. If your company participates in social or environmental initiatives within your community, showcase them. This builds goodwill and strengthens your bid. The government department will want to know that the downstream economic benefits of the contract will flow through to the local community.
7. The final touches
A well-written, professional bid is vital. Ensure your proposal is clear, concise, and error-free. Proofread meticulously before submission.
By following these steps, New Zealand plumbers can craft compelling tenders that showcase their expertise, reliability, and commitment to delivering exceptional service. Remember, securing government contracts is about more than just price; it’s about demonstrating your value proposition and how your company can become a trusted partner for the government’s plumbing needs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jason Cooney is the Director of Tsaks
Consulting NZ – a bid and tender writing consultancy based in Auckland helping plumbers and other tradies across New Zealand win government and private sector contracts. www.tsaksconsulting.co.nz
“BETTER DAYS ARE AHEAD”
Over the next few editions, get to know the six apprentice members of the Apprentice Representative Group (ARG) and their ambitions for this new group as an industry voice. First up is Jack Smith.
Jack Smith’s working life started at McDonald’s when he was 15. “I needed money, and it was the job I could get,” he says. “I started renting from 17 and work was always just a thing I had to do. I’ve had all sorts of jobs since then – across retail, telesales, a stint at a fridge factory, to working almost full-time in a bookie’s as a student to pay my way through uni, then teaching overseas so I could afford to get out of the UK and travel after I graduated.”
Employed but miserable
Jack came to NZ in 2015 with a backpack and absolutely no plans. “After a brief spell as a fundraiser, I scored a three-month temp role doing data entry, which turned into a permanent gig and a work visa,” he recalls. “After a decade of means-to-an-end jobs, in 2016 I lucked into the first thing you could call a ‘career’ in corporate training. I followed the opportunities up that path and ended up in a moderately senior, well-paid and frankly quite cushy Learning & Development role in the public sector.”
Jack Smith is a second-year Masterlink plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting apprentice at Auckland Plumbers Group. Jack, who’s 35, is also a winner of a 2024 Plumbing World Scholarship.
Career starters
Photograph: Steve Meadows
Jack had a bit of fun with this photo but has a serious point to make. “If we don’t really sell the value of our trade, over and above the lifestyle and the boats, the future could get very smelly indeed,” he says.
Photograph: Steve Meadows
Photograph: Robin Hodgkinson
TOP 3 CHALLENGES FOR PGD APPRENTICES:
JACK’S VIEW
1. “For any training to be successful, it has to show the people taking part exactly how it’ll deliver value for them. Our current apprenticeship model can’t do this, because it starts with standards and then asks what those standards demand from apprentices. This is why it can feel like a box-ticking chore – and why some in the industry can feel it isn’t worth investing their time or energy into.
“To be successful, we need a model which flips this, and starts by asking what’s needed for apprentices. How do we deliver the right information, in the right way, to enable people to achieve the standards of work we want in the real world? And how can we assess that work as the measure of their capability? I think if we can create a re-focused model which looks to deliver value for apprentices as its first principle, we’ll be on a far better track.”
2. “Three things determine how successful a given piece of training is:
“I suddenly had it made, working my way to permanent residency, and outwardly doing pretty well. As grateful as I was (and am) for the opportunity to get there, there was one issue – despite the best support from some wonderful people around me, I was absolutely miserable.”
Lockdown really highlighted Jack’s poor mental health, so he decided to step back and reassess. “To make a career out of anything, I had to figure out what I actually wanted and needed out of the work I’d be doing,” he says. “That process drew out a few things. I wanted to upgrade practical skills which, as a soft-handed office boy with a BA, I absolutely didn’t have. I needed variety and a constant string of new, interesting challenges to stay motivated. I wanted to offer something valuable to the people I love and the wider community through the skills I’d learn. I needed to feel that what I was getting out of bed every day to do really needed to happen, and had some tangible level of meaning to it.”
Finding a job that fits
After all this, Jack decided that PGD – and more specifically, maintenance – was for him. “I enrolled in a pre-trade to make sure it was something I could really commit to,
A: How closely it simulates the real task(s) while making it safe to fail
B: How much opportunity it gives for repeated practice in that safe environment
C: Immediate, valuable feedback given before, during and after each activity.
“The way our apprenticeship model is structured now makes it nigh-on impossible to achieve these things. Block courses are currently ‘test, don’t teach’ (so not exactly safe to fail) and can only simulate the real thing to a point, with practical limitations in terms of time, resources and materials. The one-sizefits-all approach means there’s a real disconnect between what apprentices learn day-to-day and what’s covered online and at block course, so it ends up being one-size-fits-nobody-well.
“And on-job assessments just aren’t what they say on the tin; filling in a booklet to be returned weeks (or months) later with a tick or a cross on them is about as far from immediate, valuable feedback as you can get. This isn’t a failure of the
and so I could look prospective employers in the eye and say I could honour the five-year commitment they’d be making to me by taking me on as an apprentice.”
Masterlink Regional Manager Steve Meadows offered Jack the opportunity to meet Andrew Durrans and the team at Auckland Plumbers Group, he loved what he heard and hasn’t looked back
“Turns out that to get my mental state out of the toilet, I needed to get my hands into one from time to time.”
since. “Every so often, when I’m crammed awkwardly in a hot roof space struggling to get to a leaky pipe, I do reflect on whether I made the right decision. To this day, without fail, the answer has been yes. I’ve found something that fits.
“Turns out that to get my mental state out of the toilet, I needed to get my hands into one from time to time. For me, the key thing is that someone has to do what we do – our quality of life just can’t be maintained otherwise – and, to me, that’s worth more than all the share price performance bonuses going.”
training establishments; it’s a failure of the system they operate within.
“The good news is that we know the system isn’t working, and the ARG –among many other groups and initiatives – is helping shine a light on exactly how and why that is, so we can learn from those mistakes and create a model that’s fit for purpose.”
3. “Like any tool, online learning can be very valuable – if used in the right way, for the right reasons. The way we use online learning for apprenticeships right now is a bit like using a screwdriver to cut down a tree, because the screwdriver is cheap and easy to maintain. It’s the wrong tool for the job, chosen for the wrong reasons.
“To torture the analogy a bit, we didn’t even bring a quality screwdriver; online modules are walls of text with very gameable multi-choice questions thrown in, and the assessments are poorly conceived with badly framed, ambiguous and sometimes irrelevant questions. They barely supplement or support apprentices’ learning as things stand.
“There’s a place for online learning as part of an apprenticeship, but only if we can use and execute it properly as part of a wider, more apprentice-focused system.”
Hopes for ARG
Asked what he hopes the ARG will achieve, Jack says he wants trade apprenticeships in NZ to be among the best in the world – and that means rethinking and taking it right back to what apprentices really need to become great trades professionals. “The great thing about where we are is that there’s so much opportunity to improve,” he says. “Setting up the ARG is one step in the long journey towards making that happen, but it’s immensely exciting to see.
“It isn’t about the six of us – we’re a tiny sample from a huge pool – it’s about how government and industry can flip the script, listen first and make apprenticeships about the apprentices, not the regulatory boxes that need to be ticked. In the short term, I hope we can help today’s apprentices feel they’re being heard and that better days are ahead. Longer term, I want us to contribute meaningfully to tomorrow’s apprentices having an experience worthy of what is, unequivocally, among the best and most valuable careers out there.
“Attention has become a commodity; if we don’t adapt to this new marketplace and really sell the value of our trade, over and above the lifestyle and the boats, the future could get very smelly indeed.”
MOVING FORWARD A NEW APPRENTICE TRAINING MODEL
This July, Master Plumbers and Waihanga Ara Rau Workforce Development Council begin a series of meetings around the country to talk about the new training model for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentices.
The new apprentice training model will be launched in January next year with the aim of improving the training environment and outcomes for apprentices in our trades.
The Waihanga Ara Rau PGD Strategic Reference Group (SRG) is behind the proposed new model. The SRG was established to find a better way to deliver apprenticeship training for our sector. With a shortage of about 3,000 plumbers and an ageing workforce, it’s important the new training model is modern and fit-forpurpose to attract people into the sector and retain them.
The new model has been developed in response to shortcomings identified through the Covid pandemic and the transition to Te Pūkenga. Our apprentices haven’t had the opportunities to learn and it’s been taking too long for them to complete their trades training.
There are still about 700 PGD apprentices over-duration, which means it has taken them more than five years to get to their current level. The extra time apprentices are taking to complete their trade is costing all in the industry.
On-job workplace assessment
Some key recommendations have been made to improve the experience for apprentices. The model introduces onjob workplace assessments. It’s not a new concept but creates a new and key assessment opportunity moving forward.
The apprentice can gather evidence (photos, plans etc) when undertaking practical jobs in the workplace. The workplace verifier – someone in the workplace with a relevant, current licence – will observe the jobs and verify the evidence gathered. An independent assessor will then determine the final assessment based on the evidence supplied, including the signed verification.
In theory, this means some apprentices will be able to complete their entire qualification in the workplace.
Level of performance
To ensure apprentices complete their training work ready, the model introduces a standard or level of performance the apprentice is expected to achieve. Achieving the level means they are able to capably and consistently perform tasks to an acceptable standard in an acceptable timeframe and in different and unfamiliar contexts. It also provides the assurance that they understand current and relevant legislation, standards and codes, including safety.
The standard will again be verified by a certifying plumber, gasfitter and/or drainlayer who has had an opportunity to observe the apprentice’s work.
Greater flexibilty
The new model offers greater flexibility in how apprentices can complete their apprenticeship. They can choose to
complete course components on-the-job through workplace learning and workplace assessment or they can attend block courses, which will now offer teaching as well as assessment opportunities.
There is still a lot of work to be done prior to the implementation of the model, including finalising the qualifications and standards with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and working with providers to implement the new programmes.
Current apprentices will be transitioned to the new model once it is up and running and the performance standards are complete.
The PGD Strategic Reference Group is confident the proposed changes will deliver better outcomes for our industry and hope it will contribute to continued growth in the number of apprentices entering our industry.
Register for a roadshow session at www.waihangaararau.nz/for-industry/ pgd-roadshow
Photograph: Steve Meadows
Sign up for a roadshow session near you to learn about the new apprentice training model.
PAINTER TO PLUMBER
Knowing how to work with customers and on construction sites from his previous career as a painter has helped newly qualified plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer Reece Weir in his role at Fusion Plumbing and Solar.
AUTHOR: LISA ONLAND
Reece Weir with his James Douglas Medallion Drainlaying Finalist award. The James Douglas Medallion has been presented since 1948 to top newly qualified apprentices in our trades.
Having spent eight years as a qualified painter, Reece Weir knew the transition to plumbing would require a whole new toolkit. “I remember thinking on my first week, just the amount of fittings that you have to use, trying to get your head around all that, it was quite a learning curve to overcome,” he says.
“With painting it’s: paint, brush, roller –that’s all you need.”
The 34-year-old tradesman plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer works for Fusion Plumbing and Solar in Nelson and is the Drainlaying Finalist for this year’s James Douglas Medallion award. He made the switch to plumbing in his late twenties after deciding he wanted a better longterm career to provide for his young family. “I sort of decided painting’s not really where I wanted to be,” says Reece. “An apprenticeship came up in the plumbing industry and I jumped at that opportunity.”
Grit and determination
Despite starting from scratch in a new trade, he found his age and previous experience both worked in his favour.
“Coming from painting to plumbing, there weren’t a lot of skills to transition but being on construction sites and working in people’s houses was still relevant,” says Reece, who works primarily in maintenance and renovation. “I knew how to hold myself on site and I think that also helped picking up the trade a lot quicker.”
Reece speaks highly of his employer, having been with the company from day one of his apprenticeship. “As far as opportunities go, Fusion’s been more
than what I expected,” he says. “I’ve been encouraged and pushed and given heaps of opportunity to develop.”
Owner Ben Allen says he was impressed with how hard Reece worked to sit his registration exams as soon as he could. “From the very beginning he was determined to keep on top of the study, and at the earliest opportunity sat his registrations, passing all three. He’s shown that sheer grit and determination really pays off.”
Family teamwork
Reece credits his wife Stephanie for supporting him through the career change. In addition to being the primary earner for the family during his apprenticeship, she had to take on more at home with their young children while he studied and travelled to Christchurch for block courses. “We’ve both worked hard over the last few years to get through the apprenticeship and get back on the other side of it.” He is grateful to have been put forward for the award and receive recognition for the hard work and sacrifices made along the way.
Getting certified
Currently, Reece is working through his certifying exams. He’s completed drainlaying and is hoping to finish gasfitting and plumbing by the end of the year. His dedication and no-nonsense approach to his studies has made him somewhat of a role model for the company’s younger cohort of apprentices. “Seeing me put my head down and get it all done provides motivation for them,” Reece says.
Five and half years down the line and he has no regrets about the move to plumbing.
“You are having to think a lot more, every day throws up a different variety of jobs,” says Reece. “Just the general challenge of it – it can be quite difficult sometimes to try and get pipes to certain places, versus painting a wall.”
Reece acknowledges his wife Stephanie for supporting him through his career change from painter to plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer.
Now 71, Selwyn Hikuroa has devoted his life to nurturing young apprentices, advancing industry standards, and giving back to the profession he loves. NZ Plumber talks to Selwyn about his long career.
AUTHOR: JE T’AIME HAYR
Selwyn Hikuroa got into plumbing quite by chance. On moving to Auckland from Tokoroa in the mid-1970s, Selwyn was asked by his plumber neighbour, Kelson Diffey, if he wanted to join him as an apprentice. Driven by a strong sense of responsibility as a young husband and father, Selwyn embraced the opportunity, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to the industry.
Following Kelson’s move out of Auckland two years later, Selwyn transferred his apprenticeship to Carbery Plumbing and Marine Services. “I’d like to thank Grahame Carbery for the opportunity he gave me to learn and train in the broadest possible plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying fields, including work across commercial, domestic, maintenance and marine,” says Selwyn, who is a Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer.
Throughout his 48-year career, Selwyn’s influence has extended far beyond the workshop. He was a tutor at Unitec (formerly Carrington Polytechnic) in Auckland for 13 years, before moving to Wintec in 1995. Tutoring there for 19 years collectively, he has played a role in shaping the futures of three generations of apprentices and tutored many Wintec staff.
When training, he strives to arm his students with technical prowess alongside a deep sense of responsibility and pride in
Selwyn Hikuroa was ministerially appointed to the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board in April 2023.
their work. “Selwyn is renowned for developing young apprentices both nationally and internationally, as well as for leadership of teaching staff at Wintec,” says Wintec Plumbing Team Manager Amy Opperman. “We have a strong Māori and Pacific representation in our pre-trade plumbing courses, and he is truly valued as a leader and kaumātua to this whānau.”
Selwyn’s industry expertise and insights have also played a pivotal role in shaping standards and practices. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to advancing the field through teaching, service and qualification input. This has included working in the Australian TAFE system from 2011 to 2020, where he was awarded the Teaching Instructors Excellence Award from Energy Safe Victoria, Australia. He is currently part of the PGD technical advisory group working alongside the Waihunga Ara Rau Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council (WDC).
“We have a strong Māori and Pacific representation in our pre-trade plumbing courses, and he is truly valued as a leader and kaumātua to this whānau.”
His appointment in April 2023 to the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board is reflective of his capacity as a trusted leader and advocate for industry excellence and in this role, Selwyn remains focused on the prosperity of future generations of plumbers.
“The role on the PGD Board is demanding but enjoyable because it gives me the opportunity to look at what’s currently happening in the sector and forecast the way it is moving,” he says. “Ultimately, this is another way I can give back to the industry that has been very good to me.”
Over the years, Selwyn has seen many industry changes and admits he’s a fan of a learning system that was in place 15 years ago. “Unlike the current model, which often focuses on assessment in one-week block courses, the training then was predominantly conducted through intensive three-week block courses, ensuring a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge, training and then assessment,” he explains. “This immersion was dedicated to skill development.”
The current challenge as he sees it, is that while apprentices receive some training on the job, only a handful of companies possess the capacity to provide comprehensive training across all qualifications.
Beyond the classroom, Selwyn finds joy in spending time with his wife, five sons and their families, particularly his grandchildren. His love for geology is shared by his grandchildren and they love fossicking for rocks and fossils together. Not one to rest on his laurels, he’s also keeping himself busy with a new project, which brings his plumbing skills to the fore working on a minor dwelling at his home.
Selwyn Hikuroa’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of passion and perseverance. As he continues to impart his knowledge to young apprentices, his commitment to excellence serves as an inspiration to all who aspire to follow in his footsteps.
Apprentice Training Manager Pete Shields was delighted to catch up with Selwyn Hikuroa at the 2024 New Zealand Plumbing Awards this April. “Selwyn was my tutor at Wintec when I did my apprenticeship back in 1996,” says Pete. “He was such an influential person who got me into the industry and the reason why I am so passionate about apprentices succeeding.”
At 71, Selwyn Hikuroa is still just as passionate about teaching plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentices as he was when he started tutoring over 40 years ago.
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ARMY PLUMBERS
Army plumbers lay pipes
NZ Army supports TONGAN RECOVERY And finally...
The New Zealand Army has led five weeks’ worth of building, plumbing and electrical work on a remote island in Tonga, which will help the kingdom better respond to natural disasters, and offered dental services to the locals.
NZ
for the septic tank at Ha’ateiho Community Centre.
The annual Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade-funded Exercise Tropic Twilight was held in Tonga for the second year in a row to support the recovery from the 2022 Hunga Tonga –Hunga Ha’apai eruption.
The NZ Army was joined by soldiers from Tonga, Vanuatu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Australia, United Kingdom and Japan, including five plumbers from the NZ Army, one from the Australian Army and one from His Majesty’s Armed Forces (Tonga).
Over five weeks the 74-strong multinational contingent tackled several projects in the Ha’apai island group. The work covered four main sites: the Ha’ateiho
Community Centre, the Meteorological Centre, Pangai Government Primary School and Koulo Government Primary School.
From new toilets, showers, a kitchenette and playgrounds to upgraded plumbing and electrical work, the projects focused on creating accessible and secure places for people to gather in natural disasters, with durable infrastructure to provide power and clean water.
Senior National Officer on the ground, Major James Brosnan, said the work would support communities for years to come.
“I am immensely proud of the contingent and all they have achieved,” he said. “From solving the complex problem of getting our people and equipment to the remote
location, through to the construction, medical and dental capabilities that have left a tangible impact on the communities in Ha’apai.”
Plumbing projects
The troop’s largest site was the Ha’ateiho Community Centre, where the plumbers replaced the spouting, installed a water pump, helped construct and install two toilet and shower blocks, and installed a septic tank and soak pit – as well as piping out and connecting the kitchenette inside the centre.
Corporal Maitlin Kakau said it was different from any job he had run in New Zealand. “Working with electricians,
An Australian Army plumber connects the spouting and downpipe to the water tank at the Ha’ateiho Community Centre.
carpenters and plumbers from different countries was stressful at times – there was a bit of a language barrier to begin with, but we were able to work through it, helped by our similarity in training.
“What we achieved in a short time was amazing. It’s special to know it is going to such a good use.”
At the meteorological centre, the plumbers installed a new water tank, repurposed the existing water tank, replaced the spouting, connected the downpipes to the water tank and installed a pump and taps to ensure functionality.
Meanwhile, at the Pangai Government Primary School, they installed urinals, sinks and toilets in the children’s
bathroom, replaced all the spouting on two classroom blocks and installed downpipes, connecting these to the water tanks.
A small unscheduled job also took place at Pangai High School, where the team worked for two hours to fix broken pipes leading to the reserve water tanks. Once fixed, this enabled access to approximately 100,000 litres of collected rainwater. For a village of this size, that equates to 30 days of supply in an emergency.
Other opportune tasks like this one were carried out around the islands, along with upgrades and maintenance to the Velata Naval Base where the Engineer Task Unit was located.
Community dental treatment
A New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) dental team saw almost 200 patients, performing fillings, extractions, root canal treatments and hygiene appointments.
Working with field kits out of the old hospital on Lifuka, Captain Amanda Rowe said she was proud of how her team got the job done, especially as they were a lot busier than anticipated.
“We were seeing on average 12 people a day. In the humid conditions with limited supplies, everyone worked together, under the pump, to problem-solve and get the work done. When people come in who are in real pain and you can help them, it’s a rewarding feeling.”
“From solving the complex problem of getting our people and equipment to the remote location, through to the construction, medical and dental capabilities that have left a tangible impact on the communities in Ha’apai.”
Hospitality second to none
Major Brosnan said working on a remote island presented a few challenges; supplies were limited and material sometimes took weeks to arrive. “However our military training, collaborative approach and cando attitude allowed us to resolve them to ensure our tasks were achieved to a high standard,” he said.
Tropic Twilight was also a chance for personnel to learn more about the Tongan culture, food, nature and lifestyle.
“Working alongside Tonga’s His Majesty’s Armed Forces meant our units were fully integrated with the local culture. The hospitality and gratitude shown by the community was second to none,” said Major Brosnan.
“It was pleasing to see how quickly the NZDF and our international partners integrated. I am confident that if we were required to deploy at short notice in support of disaster relief we could seamlessly integrate with our Pacific partners.”
Watch the project video at https://youtu.be/S356j7Vzank
in
Can you top these? Send your dodgy photos to the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz
Made to measure
“Pete was on site for this lovely bit of plumbing by a supposed plumber,” says Murray Rigby of Laser Plumbing Napier, who sent in this photo. “The cylinder was a little too tall, so some copper pipework required adjusting. Also installed a ball valve on top of the cylinder.”
Taped together
“Was asked to look at the flame on a gas hob, found this non-compliant work with a water flexi and a lot of tape that didn’t seal the threads,” says Gary Selfe of Aspen Plumbing. “Changed it out with copper and replaced the regulator.”
Send your dodgy photos to the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz. The
Stumbling block
Thanks to Dean Edwards at Deacon Plumbing for sending this in. “Found this little ripper the other day when called out for blocked kitchen sink,” he says.
P-trap from
hell
This beauty was sent in by Dan Pollard from a mate in North Carolina.
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