NZ Plumber April-May 2022

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF

A P R I L– M AY 2 0 2 2

A GUIDE TO TINY

Is it a house or a vehicle?

PAGE 14

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE COMPLIANCE

Have your say on G12 and G13 PAGE 24

HOME HEATING THEME Getting set for winter PAGE 30

Why NZ’s first-ever female Young Plumber of the Year loves her trade PAGE 76

LOOKING FOR WINTER HEATING? YOU’RE GETTING WARMER HEAT PUMPS

GAS FIRES

UNDERFLOOR HEATING

RADIATORS

With a huge range of heating options, it’s hard to beat Plumbing World for choice and value.

Whether the job calls for underfloor heating, heat pumps, gas fires or a wood burner, we’ll help you find the best solution at a great trade price.

Get ready to welcome winter. Come in and talk to the team or view the range online today.

Freephone 0800 800 686 plumbingworld.co.nz

WOOD BURNERS

CENTRAL HEATING

OUT NOW

A few words EDITOR

Volume 74, Number 2 MAGAZINE TEAM CEO Greg Wallace EDITOR Beverly Sellers 03 543 2008 bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz PRINT Blue Star 81 The Esplanade, Petone Wellington 6141 DESIGN SCG Senior Designer – Julian Pettitt SCG Senior Account Director – LauraGrace McFarland scg.net.nz SUBSCRIPTIONS NZ Plumber is published six times a year by Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ. Members and Certifying tradespeople receive all six editions. If you wish to opt out, please email bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz To order an annual subscription, go to www.masterplumbers.org.nz MAILING LIST For enquiries, or to update your details: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz Non-Master Plumbers’ members with address detail changes should notify the PGD Board direct, giving their registration number here: registration@pgdb.co.nz TO ADVERTISE advertising@masterplumbers.org.nz

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letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled ‘Not for Publication’.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

Trends and technologies Trends towards more inclusive, diverse workplaces and more efficient, low-carbon technologies point in the right direction for a thriving, sustainable plumbing industry into the future.

It’s a sign of our changing times that we have a young female plumber on our front cover this issue. Veronika Kreitner came into Plumbing World’s 2021 Young Plumber of the Year national final as a Wild Card entry and came out with the top prize. Turn to page 76 to find out how Veronika got started on her plumbing apprenticeship and why she thinks it’s a fantastic career choice.

Based in Wanaka, Veronika is one of a growing number of women entering the industry, helping create more diverse and inclusive workplaces up and down Aotearoa.

The worldwide race to reduce carbon emissions and achieve the global warming limit of 1.5°C is a far less positive sign of the times and can no longer be ignored.

New Zealand has a lot of work ahead to reach its targets, but many encouraging advances are being made with innovative, sustainable technologies.

For the plumbing industry, there is an ever-increasing range of efficient products, including the air to water heat

pumps, condensing boilers and pellet burners in our home heating technical theme, starting on page 30.

Tiny and modular homes are another growing trend in an attempt to counter New Zealand’s housing shortages and soaring construction prices. With recent guidance from MBIE on tiny home consents and new developments in the modular building space, we cover this topic in our feature article on page 14.

On a final note, Omicron has been an unwelcome arrival on today’s scene and so many people have now been directly impacted. We wish all our readers well and hope your workplaces are getting through with as little ill-health and disruption as possible.

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

PGDB FEES: Last edition, we ran a news item on the PGDB registration and licensing fees effective 1 April 2022. We inadvertently printed the fees previous to this increase. Please find the correct information at www.pgdb.co.nz/about-us/news/outcome-of-fee-consultation-for-the-period-2022-to-2025.

FREEDOM CAMPING: We'd also like to clarify that, with regards to the proposed changes for freedom camping, there is a parliamentary process to go through. Proposals will be considered by a select committee and the public will be invited to make submissions.

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

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

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A P R I L– M AY 2 0 2 2

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Sustainable home heating technologies Central heating options for new and existing homes

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Negative pressure Information for gasfitters from the PGDB

14 9 WHAT’S UP

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CPD Roadshow postponed till June

14 FEATURES

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Updates This edition’s industry updates

We Good news stories from the plumbing sector

Calendar Book your place at the 2022 NZ Plumbing Conference

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Making space for tiny What’s happening in the tiny home & modular building space

ON THE TOOLS

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Industry innovator Profiling Allproof Industries’ Ian Jackson MNZM

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Building Code updates Have your say on proposed changes for plumbing and drainage product and system compliance

TECHNICAL THEME: DOMESTIC HEATING

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Solid fuel fire installations Regional requirements and a showroom case study

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Ring main plumbing

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Passive fire protection

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Advice on implementing a successful ringmain project

FPANZ initiatives to help get it right

Products A wealth of new arrivals on the market

This magazine is subject to NZ Media Council procedures.

A complaint must first be directed in writing, within one month of publication, to the editor’s email address. If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council PO Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143; info@mediacouncil.org.nz. Or use the online complaint form at www.mediacouncil.org.nz Please include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication.

MASTER PLUMBERS

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Member benefit Health & Safety resource package

Bulletin Progress for selfverification pilot plus Milwaukee tool pack winners

Running in the family This family business has been awarded for its peoplefocused approach

Co-operative Business of the Year Hats off to the NZPM Co-operative!

56 60

Branches & Associations Celebrating the 2021 Volcanic Plateau and Waikato Master Plumbers award winners

Masterlink messageboard Updates from the Masterlink group training scheme

BUSINESS SMARTS

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5 incentive ideas… … so your best staff never want to leave

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Leading by example

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Minimum wage rise

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Check in… and get checked up

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CAREER STARTERS

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What good leadership looks like in a health & safety context

ON THE COVER

Taking the title

AND FINALLY...

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Meet Veronika Kreitner, first-ever Young Plumber of the Year female winner

Chaos vs order Why it helps to focus on the things we can control

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Dodgy Plumbing Dodgy assortment to make you laugh (and cry)

Moving with the times Better digital integration for PGD Level 4 programmes

85 OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF

What employers need to know

Remember to check in with others and get your regular check up

Have a tools policy?

There’s good reason to, as Sam Tyson explains

A P R I L– M AY 2 0 2 2

A GUIDE TO TINY

Is it a house or a vehicle?

PAGE 14

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE COMPLIANCE

Have your say on G12 and G13 PAGE 24

HOME HEATING THEME Getting set for winter PAGE 30

Why NZ’s first-ever female Young Plumber of the Year loves her trade PAGE 76

COVER STORY Fourth-year plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentice Veronika Kreitner was introduced to her future career through a chance conversation with a friend at the pub. This February, Veronika became the very first female to win Plumbing World’s Young Plumber of the Year competition. We caught up with her to find out more about her journey to success and why she’d recommend plumbing to anybody considering a trades career.

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Turn to page 76 to read the full story.

PHOTOGRAPH: ALPINE IMAGE COMPANY

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Report CEO

CEO’S REPORT

Hasn’t the first quarter of the year flown by? As we all education, but none of whom did so. Some personal continue to deal with the latest Covid outbreak and any responsibility is required from your apprentices while changes put on us by Government, the construction we work through the system changes. sector continues to produce record results.

Whilst I fully agree that we haven’t had a good At Master Plumbers, we have spent a lot of transition, and Covid has severely disrupted block time recently advocating for better and more course delivery, employers and apprentices need to contemporary block course training for apprentices. be flexible and understand that the learning process The model for apprentice training has continued for will change now and into the future. many decades without significant change, but Covid Waihanga Ara Rau (Construction & Infrastructure) has taught us a lot of things—including the need to Workforce Development Council has just completed be able to transfer to online learning and have the a full review of the plumbing, gasfitting and flexibility for learners to progress at their own speed. drainlaying training environment, which we will I have heard from many members who are trying to make publicly available. get to grips with the new learning methods while also The review makes recommendations for both dealing with individual polytechs and how they are short-term and long-term actions to be made. Master managing online learning and the capacity we now Plumbers will be following this up with some vigour to have in industry apprenticeships. ensure we have an apprentice training programme that There is no doubt that we can all be proud of. polytechs have not allowed for I’d also like to acknowledge the growth that has occurred in the efforts of both Mark At Master Plumbers, we have apprentice numbers over the Whitehead and Colleen Upton spent a lot of time recently last two to three years. With the as industry representatives advocating for better and more changes coming as a result of during this review and their contemporary block course the vocational education review, tireless commitment to training for apprentices. there will be further disruption ensuring that we achieve ahead while we transition to the practical solutions. new training model.

Here at Master Plumbers, we I can assure you, however, that have moved into full conference a huge amount of work has been mode, and we are very excited going on behind the scenes to try and lift the standards that it looks like the event will be all go for June. of training and to have a modern, responsive system.

If you haven’t registered yet, I strongly advise I will add that the onus shouldn’t only be on the you to get on our conference website and secure polytechs. Employers and apprentices need to make your spot. We have an outstanding line-up of guest sure they are completing training and development speakers and presenters, and I’m sure your business to industry expectations as well. will benefit from attending this wonderful event.

I recently heard of a block course cohort of 16 apprentices, who were all given online information and Greg Wallace, CEO a process for logging on and starting their online theory Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ

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Be in to win a deluxe Air New Zealand Mystery Break for two valued at $1,500!

Masterlink is always looking for great future plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers.

Are promising people knocking on the door of your business looking to start an apprenticeship, but you don’t have any opportunities for them right now?

We’re here to help! Instead of turning eager applicants away, send them to us.

As an industry professional, you know what it takes to succeed in our trades. We’d like to recognise and reward your expertise in spotting talent.

If your nominated candidate succeeds with Masterlink: • you’ll go into our amazing Mystery Break Prize Draw* • they’ll be on the path to an awesome career, and • New Zealand will get more qualified tradespeople!

FOR MORE INFO Contact our Recruitment Team Email hr@masterlink.co.nz Visit our website *Terms + Conditions apply

masterlink.co.nz 0800 502 102

INDUSTRY NEWS

What’s up

CPD ROADSHOW POSTPONED TILL JUNE With the current Omicron situation in New Zealand, the PGDB has postponed the CPD Training Roadshow until June.

Completing the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) CPD training in 2022 will be a requirement towards renewing your practising licence(s) for the 2023 licensing year, which starts on

1 April 2023. The 2022 PGDB & Mico CPD Training Roadshow has been postponed until later in the year, due to the current Omicron situation. The roadshow is now scheduled to begin in June.

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Photograph and information courtesy of Auckland Council.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FOR OUR INDUSTRY.

New compliance system for Auckland septic tanks

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provide regular inspection records verifying their systems are in good working condition.

“This compliance system gives us more confidence septic tanks are being properly maintained and if they don’t meet safety standards, we can act more quickly to ensure they’re fixed,” says Auckland Council Senior Healthy Waters Specialist Lizzie Johnson.

An app-based form to record new data from external contractors who clean and inspect septic tanks for property owners has now also been developed, with the information automatically updating the corresponding property file in the compliance system.

“By giving us accurate and consistent information within hours of an inspection, this system will go a long way to help us reduce public health risks from wastewater and improve our water quality,” says Johnson.

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Launched in November last year, Auckland Council’s onsite wastewater compliance system is the first local government system of its kind in New Zealand, ensuring that septic tanks across the region are regularly inspected and maintained.

To develop the compliance system, all onsite wastewater systems had first to be located and consistent information collected on their type, condition and maintenance history.

It took the Council’s Healthy Waters and Proactive Compliance teams two years to capture this information across the region—from Franklin to Rodney and on Waiheke, Great Barrier and Kawau islands— with data from 45,000 properties eventually collected and migrated into the new system.

Under the Auckland Unitary Plan, owners of properties with onsite wastewater systems must

Auckland Council located and captured information on 45,000 onsite wastewater systems to create its new compliance system.

By industry, construction had the largest change in the number of filled jobs in December 2021 compared to December 2020, with an 8.3 percent increase (15,430 jobs).

CLIMATE ACTION TOOLBOX SIMPLIFIED To help your business work up a customised plan to reduce carbon emissions, business.govt.nz has updated its Climate Action Toolbox. Use the online tool to see what steps you and your team can start taking right now.

Find the Climate Action Toolbox at www.tools.business.govt.nz/climate

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What’s up INDUSTRY NEWS

NEW ZEALAND CLIMATE CHANGE PERFORMANCE ‘HIGHLY INSUFFICIENT’

New Zealanders are being asked to take photos of flooding in their regions to contribute to NIWA’s new national flood database.

PUBLIC ASKED TO HELP WITH NATIONAL FLOOD PHOTO DATABASE The NZ Flood Pics project is part of a five-year Endeavour Fund research programme examining how flood risk will change over the next century from climate warming, more frequent extreme weather events, and land-use changes.

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NIWA’s Citizen Science app is free to use and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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NIWA is asking people living in floodaffected areas to send in photos on their smartphones to help create a national flood database.

“We really hope that New Zealanders will help us capture photo evidence of floods across the country,” says Dr Andrew Lorrey, NIWA Principal Scientist of Climate and Environmental Applications. “These snapshots will build up our knowledge of where and when flood impacts occur.

“Floods are unfortunately increasing in frequency and severity across Aotearoa—meaning they pose one of the biggest risk areas for society. The photo database we’re building will support new strategies to increase resilience, which is more important than ever.”

Smartphone photos can be uploaded via NIWA’s Citizen Science app, which geolocates where the photo has been taken. As well as being used

by NIWA and its research partners, the database will be freely searchable by location, date and keyword.

The urgency of the global race to zero emissions has been highlighted with the release this February of the latest IPCC working group report.

“The scientific evidence is unequivocal: climate change is a threat to human wellbeing and the health of the planet,” said IPCC Working Group II Co-Chair Hans-Otto Pörtner. “Any further delay in concerted global action will miss a brief and rapidly closing window to secure a liveable future.”

Despite these dire warnings, no country’s measures are currently sufficient to keep global warming within the 1.5°C limit, according to the Climate Change Performance Index 2022 of 60 countries (plus the EU as a whole). New Zealand is among the Low performers on the index, with Scandinavian countries, Morocco and the UK leading the way.

Another benchmark resource, the Climate Action Tracker (CAT), shows New Zealand’s overall rating as Highly Insufficient—though it says this may change after it assesses New Zealand’s new climate finance commitment, as this country releases its first Emissions Reduction Plan setting out policies and strategies for meeting emissions budgets by 31 May 2022.

CAT describes New Zealand’s adoption in 2019 of its Zero Carbon Act as “a good step forward”, by enshrining this country’s 2050 net zero emission reduction target into law.

One billion people are projected to live in floodprone coastal zones worldwide by 2050—more than 1 in 10 people* * Source: IPCC Report Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability

In October 2021, Wellington joined Auckland on the list of cities to become part of the UN-backed Race to Zero initiative, launched in 2020, to halve global emissions by 2030—with the eventual goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

NEW GM FOR RHEEM NZ With Steve Bullock having retired in January, Mark McCutcheon has been appointed as the new General Manager of Rheem New Zealand, taking up the role at the beginning of April.

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What’s up INDUSTRY NEWS

This edition’s good news stories— and don’t we need them right now?!

Foreno Tapware have won the Northland Business Excellence Supreme Award, sponsored by Top Energy and Northpower, at the 2021 NorthChamber Northland Business Excellence Awards, presented this February. Having been picked for the Marsden Maritime Holdings Excellence in Medium Business Award just weeks earlier, the Foreno team were pretty stoked to be selected as supreme winner. “Foreno Tapware is a great success story for a Northland business and business excellence,” said BDO Northland Director Greg Atkins of BDO on announcing the award. “The judges were impressed with Foreno’s clear understanding of their customer needs, design process and supply chain.”

Foreno Managing Director Jon Doherty, who has worked in the plumbing and bathroom sector for over 30 years, says the win is testament to the efforts of the staff. “This award is their award, so it is great for our people in the business to be able to celebrate. It has been a tough couple of years so it is really pleasing to come out with this.”

Ian Jackson of Allproof Industries has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the New Year’s Honours for his services to the plumbing industry and the community. Our congratulations—and turn to page 20 to read more about Ian’s long and successful career.

The Master Plumbers and Masterlink teams have been welcoming some wee additions in recent months, with baby son Andreas for Masterlink Regional Manager Sam Timlin; baby daughter Laoíse for Master Plumbers Business Development Manager Gillian McGeever; and baby daughter Mia for Masterlink Administrator Izzy Johnson.

Congrats to all on your new arrivals!

Sam with son Andreas, now seven months and sleeping through the night in his own room—a big step.

Izzy and daughter Mia, who’s now five months old.

Foreno Tapware NZ Managing Director Jon Doherty (centre) and General Manager Kerry Lord (on right of Jon) with, from left, Greg Atkins of BDO Northland, Belinda Peddie of Top Energy and Andrew McLeod of Northpower.

Plumbing World have been gathering useful plumbing and bathroom products to send to Tonga as part of the relief effort after a tsunami devastated the islands in January, due to a volcanic eruption.

Plumbing World have now delivered $150,000-worth of product, as well as a much needed forklift, to a Tongan Church in Auckland, who are arranging the transportation of these goods.

Basic sanitation is a human requirement and Plumbing World are pleased to be able to help meet these needs for our friends in Tonga.

Gillian’s daughter Laoíse, born this January. “Amazing time in our lives—it is just instant happiness and life is just brighter since she came along,” says Gillian.

Tongan Church Minister Milaioti Veikoso (in white T-shirt) and church representatives receiving the donated Plumbing World goods from Makisua Mika (in forklift), one of the team at the Plumbing World Wiri Distribution Centre.

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Sam Tyson, our very own NZ Plumber columnist and Master Plumbers Board member, was Highly Commended for her column writing skills at the 2021 Webstar Magazine Media Awards in February. We’re proud!

What's up CALENDAR

2022 NEW ZEALAND PLUMBING CONFERENCE

THURSDAY 16 JUNE Keynote Speaker—Dr Paul Wood 9am 10.15-10.45am

Guest Speaker—Christopher Luxon, Leader of the Opposition

11.15am-12pm

Guest Speaker—Hon Poto Williams, Minister for Building & Construction

12-12.30pm

Update from Greg Wallace, CEO, Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ

1.30-2.30pm

Guest Speaker—Brad Olsen, Principal Economist, Infometrics

2.30-3.30pm

Guest Speaker—Janet Carson, Chief Executive, LPG & Gas Associations NZ

4-5pm

Guest Speaker—Michelle Burman, Hatch Talent

Register now to make sure you don’t miss out on this leading event for New Zealand’s plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers.

6.30pm

Marley and Dux Fun Night Dinner at the Skyline Rotorua (‘70s theme)

When: 15-17 June 2022 Where: Energy Events Centre, Rotorua Cost: $995+GST (member, partner or team member price per person) Register: plumbingconference.org.nz

7.30-8.30am

Conference breakfast

8.30am-9.30am

Keynote Speaker—Sir Ian Taylor

9.30-10am

Industry updates

10-11.15am

Women in Plumbing—Working together to increase diversity in the plumbing industry

Over three packed days, the New Zealand Plumbing Conference offers attendees a wealth of opportunities for industry networking, information and inspiration. The 2022 event, powered by Master Plumbers, is being held at the contemporary Energy Events Centre in Rotorua, with plenty of accommodation options just a short walk away.

12pm

Friday Leisure Activities—Canopy Zipline Tour; or Mountain Biking; or Waimangu Volcanic Valley Walk and Boat Ride

6.30-11.30pm

New Zealand Plumbing Awards Dinner, supported

by Plumbing World—MC Patrick Gower

PROGRAMME

FRIDAY 17 JUNE

Please note: The programme is pending final confirmation

All lunches, morning and afternoon teas are included.

The extensive Trade Exhibition runs alongside, giving attendees the chance to view latest industry products and technologies and chat with suppliers.

WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE PGDB & Mico CPD Training Roadshow 9am-12pm session, followed by lunch 9.30am

Partner Activity Programme—includes a tour of Whakarewarewa Village, followed by a lunch at Regent of Rotorua and a visit to the Polynesian Spa for a soak in the hot pools

1-2.30pm

Technical Sessions

3-5pm

Master Plumbers Annual General Meeting

6.30pm

Mico Welcome Night Dinner at Te Puia, Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley

Keynote speaker: Sir Ian Taylor.

Awards Night MC: Paddy Gower.

COVID CONDITIONS Master Plumbers is highly optimistic that the 2022 NZ Plumbing Conference

will be able to go ahead this June.

If the event has to be postponed due to Covid-19, any accommodation bookings made at accommodation secured by Master Plumbers can be rolled over to the new date. Refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you are unable to attend the conference due to Covid-19, and cannot transfer your registration to another person, Master Plumbers will refund your registration.

Master Plumbers highly recommends that registrants obtain travel insurance.

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One of the tiny homes on show at the 2021 Motueka Tiny House Expo & Hui.

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Feature TINY & MODULAR HOMES

Consent confusion

With average New Zealand house prices topping $1 million at the end of 2021, tiny homes, often on wheels, are growing in popularity as an affordable option. But is a tiny home on wheels a building or a vehicle? NZ Plumber takes a look at new government guidelines, and what plumbers and gasfitters need to keep in mind when it comes to consents.

AUTHOR: CLARISSA VAN EMMENES

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hile there is no legal definition of a tiny house, the concept usually refers to dwellings of 400 sq ft (37.16m2) or less, according to the NZ Tiny House Association. According to Katikati based Tiny House Builders, depending on the finishes chosen, tiny house prices range from $130,000-$155,000 for a completed build, including appliances and furniture, which gives them appeal at a time when affordable housing is thin on the ground.

Demand is high A 2022 survey by Demographia International found that New Zealand, particularly Auckland, has one of the most unaffordable housing markets in the world. Over the past decade, homelessness has increased to more than 40,000—or one in 130 New Zealanders.

With the continuing New Zealand housing crisis, tiny houses have become more popular than ever—even after the market was predicted

to slow due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Tiny House Builders Managing Director Rebecca Bartlett says the company was fully booked for tiny house builds in 2021, with demand doubling since the start of Covid-19.

Jaimie Cameron, owner of Tiny Homes NZ in Taranaki, says they were also bombarded with calls from everywhere during the first lockdown. “People seem to be reassessing how they want to live. I think the virus has shown how vulnerable we are. The tiny house also appears to be the new investment option for mum-anddad investors, who want to rent them out.”

The most appealing factor of tiny houses is that they are small in more than one way: small price tag, low maintenance, less consumption and a reduced environmental footprint. They can easily operate off-grid using technological advances in systems such as solar power, composting toilets and rainwater tanks. It seems a win-win solution. So, what’s the catch?

Councils are increasingly acknowledging the value of tiny houses and even tiny house ‘villages’ (groups of two or more tiny houses on a property) as a solution to affordable housing.

However, confusion around the planning and building regulatory environment for tiny houses in New Zealand has resulted in a number of court cases in recent years.

The main challenge when it comes to meeting legislative requirements is that there’s no one rule that applies to all tiny houses throughout the country, with rules varying significantly from council to council and from one type of tiny house to another.

To help clarify the situation, new Tiny House Guidance was released in November 2021 by the Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The guidance covers: how to determine whether a tiny house is a building or a vehicle the different types of tiny houses and the consent pathway how to comply with the three key pieces of legislation for tiny houses (Building Act, Resource Management Act and Land Transport Act).

The guidance also refers to the 2020 changes to building consent exemptions under Schedule 1 of the Building Act, which covers the construction of small buildings greater than 10m2 but less than 30m2 (with limitations).

This amendment significantly impacts the consenting process and allowances for both fixed and trailer-mounted tiny homes.

Yet, according to Julie Jacobson, organiser of the Motueka Tiny House Expo & Hui held last February, few people are aware of the amendments and how they can benefit tiny house owners.

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Is it a building or a vehicle?

The Building Act defines a building as a temporary or permanent movable or immovable structure and can include a vehicle

or motor vehicle that is immovable and is occupied on a permanent or long-term basis.

A tiny house could be considered a building or a vehicle, or both. The majority of tiny houses are built on wheels or a trailer base, though some can be built on foundations as a permanent dwelling.

To be classified as a vehicle under the Land Transport Act, the tiny house must be within 2.55m wide (the dimension limit of a standard size vehicle) and road legal, with tyres, brakes, suspension, headlights etc fitted and working. Houses wider than 2.55m must be transported on a trailer as a temporary load, and can’t be permanently fixed to the trailer.

Tiny houses that are defined as a building (including those on wheels) must meet Building Code requirements and will need a

RECENT DETERMINATION:

IT’S A BUILDING

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work carried out to construct the unit was building work and, as such, required a building consent.

The February 2022 BRANZ Guideline includes some key points from this determination, mainly based on court findings: If a unit comes within the Land Transport Act 1998 definitions, it must be considered a vehicle or motor vehicle for the purposes of the Building Act. Registration as a trailer/caravan under land transport legislation does not by itself determine that a structure is a vehicle.

Whether something is ‘immovable’ (which brings it under the Building Act) is a matter of degree and will require consideration of things such as design, functional characteristics and purpose. Each case will turn on its own facts.

Parliament has used the word ‘immovable’ to refer to something that cannot readily be moved—not something that cannot be moved at all.

To be defined as a building, a structure does not necessarily have to be fixed to the ground.

Tiny House GUIDANCE Tiny House Guidance for the Building Act 2004

Guidance – Tiny Houses

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Released in late 2021, MBIE’s Tiny House Guidance for the Building Act 2004 aims to clarify the rules and requirements for those involved in a tiny house build.

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MBIE has a determinations process for dealing with doubts or disputes about building work, other than workmanship.

Determinations can be applied for by councils, building owners and others, and they are legally binding decisions.

One 2021 determination centred around a Lower Hutt ‘unit’ that the owner considered to be a vehicle— because he planned to fit it with axles and wheels. Hutt City Council considered it to be a building and had issued two notices to fix because no building consent had been obtained.

The unit in question was 3.2m wide, 8m long and 4m high and, once finished, would incorporate a kitchen, bathroom with laundry, shower, toilet, hand basin and vanity unit. According to the owner’s submission, it would be “self-contained” and blackwater from the toilet and shower would be held in “a holding tank and discharged through a flexible pipe” into an existing in-ground pipe as required, and there would be no “permanent connections”.

Whilst MBIE Determinations Manager Katie Gordon noted that every case must be considered on its own facts, in this case it was determined that the

building consent, unless the building work falls under Schedule 1 of the Building Act. Plumbers and gasfitters should always ensure that the owner has either obtained building consent or formal exemption from the relevant council before beginning any work that would normally require consent.

A building consent is required if the tiny house is to be connected to stormwater or foulwater. Gasfitters who carry out work on a tiny house still need to issue a CoC and/ or a GSC.

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Beyond building consent requirements, tiny houses also face land use challenges.

For example, many residential areas have minimum size requirements for dwellings.

Jacobson notes that there is still a lot that needs to be done in terms of regulations around land use to enable tiny homes to become part of the housing market.

The key, she believes, would be for the Government to look into changing land leasing laws to encourage and enable tiny home owners to find land on which to put their tiny homes.

By the end of 2021, the average price per m2 for building a new house rose from $2,359 (2020) to $2,463—a 4.4% increase.

Price increases look set to continue with the huge spike in building material costs.

At the same time, the size of the houses we’re building in New Zealand is getting smaller.

The average new house build floor area in 2010 was 182m2, compared with 155m2 in 2021.

Source: canstar.co.nz

Feature TINY & MODULAR HOMES

Is the tiny house a ‘vehicle’ or ‘motor vehicle’ by reference to the definition in section 2(1) of the Land Transport Act 1998?

YES

NO

Is the tiny house both immovable and occupied by people on a long-term basis?

YES

Is the tiny house a ‘building’ as defined in section 8(1)(a) of the Building Act 2004?

NO

The tiny house is a building, even though it is also a vehicle

The tiny house is not a building

YES

NO

The tiny house is a building

The tiny house is not a building

MAKING IT

MODULAR

Modular construction provides another potential solution to New Zealand’s housing crisis. Buildings that use modular manufacturing technology are usually designed using 3D volumes, units or pods. The term can also refer to a building made up of standard materials in set sizes or ‘modules’.

A modular building must meet local building rules and is permanently fixed to a foundation on site.

As a building method, modular construction uses components that are partially or completely assembled offsite. The manufactured components, or ‘modules’, are then trucked to the site and installed using a number of construction techniques.

Regulations are expected by mid-year to support the new Building (Building Products and Methods, Modular Components and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021, which brings reforms for the quality and consent process for homes built offsite.

The regulations will include detail on how the new voluntary modular component manufacturer (MCM) scheme will work.

Kāinga Ora has a bold plan to lead the way in delivering houses using modern construction methods.

In December 2021, Kāinga Ora—New Zealand’s largest provider of residential homes—released its new Offsite Manufacturing Plan, outlining how it aims to achieve future growth faster.

Underway right now is a research and development programme looking at different types and combinations of offsite manufacturing (OSM) technologies, including bathroom pods.

Bathroom pods supplied by Concision, Interpod and SYNC have been included as part of a trial across four build projects.

“One of those is an 18-home three-level apartment block built by Miles Construction in Blockhouse Bay, Auckland,” says Rohan Bush, Kāinga Ora Director – Building Sustainability

This flow chart from MBIE’s Tiny House Guidance is to help you consider if a tiny house (including those on wheels) is considered a building under the Building Act. Supporting information can be found in the Guidance.

Disclaimer: This flow chart is a guide only and may be applied differently to different situations. The information in the flow chart is subject to any relevant exclusions in section 9 of the Building Act.

Innovation and Standards. “Each unit received a bathroom pod supplied by Canterbury-based Concision, craned in and slotted into place within the apartment footprint. The build was completed in March 2021.

“That project incorporated other OSM technologies including Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels, which are fast to install and 100% renewable. This project was also our first OSM build to achieve the New Zealand Green Building Council 7 Homestar rating.”

The research and development programme looks to test, evaluate, review, improve and then test again to make the most of lessons learned as the project advances, says Bush. “Right now we’re in the evaluation phase, gathering data from these projects to streamline our process for future projects. We are also analysing the success of the inclusion of bathroom pods from both a construction and users point of view.”

Bathroom pods, such as these supplied by Concision, have been included as part of a Kāinga Ora trial across four offsite manufacturing build projects.

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Ian Jackson has been involved in the plumbing industry for nearly 70 years.

INDUSTRY

INNOVATOR As a supplier to the plumbing industry since the 1980s, Ian Jackson promoted the introduction to New Zealand of the AS 3500 Australian Plumbing Code, now known as AS/NZ 3500. NZ Plumber talked to Ian about his family run Allproof Industries business and his significant contribution to the industry over many years, which was recognised in the 2022 New Year’s Honours.

AUTHOR: MATTHEW LOWE

W

ork has always been a family affair for Ian Jackson, from joining his father’s plumbing business in 1953, to running successful ventures with his wife Maureen and seeing his children help him grow Allproof Industries.

The 85-year-old remains a shareholder and Director of the Auckland-based company and says he is happy to contribute where possible. His efforts over the years were recognised in the 2022 New Year Honours when he received the MNZM for services to the plumbing industry and the community.

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Apprenticeship beginnings It all began after Ian finished his secondary education at Wellington College and started working with his father Jim Jackson at JP Jackson Ltd in Taihape in January 1953. Ian says it was a unique plumbing and drainage business in the North Island’s Central Plateau that serviced an area from Taupo to Hunterville.

“Before World War II this area was relatively isolated with the roads mainly metal, which meant Jim Jackson had very little opposition as a plumbing and

drainlaying company serving the district’s rich farmlands, central mountain area, ski fields, Waiouru Military Camp and the Taupo area,” explains Ian. “My father’s business quickly flourished at the start of World War II with the building of Waiouru Military Camp half an hour north of Taihape.”

He adds that the company went on to obtain the first significant equipment in the area, such as diggers, compressors and rock-blasting equipment for major drainage and sewage treatment constructions.

Feature PROFILE

Ian with son Adam and daughter Jacinta celebrating the inaugural Jackson Woman in Plumbing Trophy, established in honour of Ian’s wife Maureen.

“Jim Jackson was much more than a plumber,” says Ian. “I remember my father having the conversation in our house with his good friends Jim and Rolly Shand about starting a plumbing supply business owned by plumbers.

“This was, of course, the idea that led to the Shand Brothers becoming Plumbing World in Palmerston North and the commencement of a successful major national plumbing supply chain.”

“We operated Auckland-wide for the next 30 years,” says Ian. “In the ’80s, Maureen and I purchased Barry Wilkie’s plumbing business on the Whangaparoa Peninsula and that company became Wilkie Plumbing, servicing the Hibiscus Coast area.”

Growth of Allproof Industries In 1986, Ian became a shareholder in Allproof Industries, an Australian company supplying waterproofing products to the

construction industry, and over the next few years he and Maureen gained the total shareholding of its New Zealand and Australian arms.

“As a supplier to the plumbing industry, I saw the opportunity to introduce to New Zealand a different more efficient and costeffective way of plumbing, particularly to the commercial and apartment construction sector,” he explains. “This was the Australian Plumbing system AS 3500 Plumbing Code,

Australia to Auckland After Ian completed his apprenticeship, he decided to move to Auckland in 1958 to gain experience in commercial plumbing before then heading across the Tasman.

“I was employed by WA Chenery, at the time New Zealand’s largest plumbing company. I gained further experience in Australia working as a plumber at Tooths Brewery, Sydney.”

It was in Sydney that Ian got married to Maureen in 1962 and three years later the couple moved back to Auckland and he started his own company, Jackson Plumbing Ltd. It soon became prominent as an inner-city maintenance company, with a sheet metal shop making the Asta brand of hot water cylinders, and lead edge barge and ridge products for Alex Harvey decramastic roofing.

Staff from Allproof Industries in 2009 included Jared Jackson (left), Mike Fairweather, Dave Berkley, Adam Jackson, Ian Jackson, Maureen Jackson, Alex McIntyre, Jacinta Robertson and Phil Carlisle.

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Feature PROFILE

The JP Jackson plumbing company was established by Ian’s father, Jim, in Taihape.

later to become known as AS/NZ 3500. With this design layout of the standard, materials and labour costs were greatly reduced.”

Allproof Industries commenced manufacture of products required for the AS/NZS 3500 standards and over the past 35 years has designed and manufactured a large number of products, including many new ones created by its design team.

Ian is proud of how the company has grown to now employ about 130 staff.

Its head office and main manufacturing factories are based at Beach Haven on Auckland’s North Shore, and it has a warehouse and team in Christchurch and representatives in Tauranga and Wellington. In Australia, the company has a warehouse facility and representatives in Melbourne and Brisbane.

Ian and Maureen’s children are also involved in the industry with one of their sons, Adam, now General Manager at Allproof, their daughter Jacinta the Administration Manager and their other son, Jared, spent 24 years with the company.

“It’s been a great privilege working so closely with my wife and children. I have

enjoyed watching them learn about the business and it has been an enjoyable experience working alongside them to grow the business to what it is today.”

Maureen passed away in December 2020 but Ian notes her legacy to the industry lives on as Master Plumbers introduced the Jackson Women in Plumbing Trophy, awarded at its annual conference.

Community involvement Through Allproof, Ian has also supported a number of charities, schools, sporting and local music organisations and he has been a member and president of the Auckland West Rotary Club.

“My family has always been philanthropic. We usually have a discussion amongst ourselves when we get requests and tend to support relevant groups or organisations that we may have a connection with, or feel they warrant and would benefit from our support.”

Ian lists his interests away from plumbing as sport, rugby, swimming, surf lifesaving and music. “I have played as a drummer and pianist in many bands,” he says.

Ian started his first business, Jackson Plumbing, in Auckland during the 1960s.

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Ian made the headlines while an apprentice with his father and appeared in the Dominion newspaper in June 1956.

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On the tools 24

nzplumber

“This year, changes are proposed to the Building Code compliance pathways that support plumbing and drainage work”

On the tools BUILDING CODE & STANDARDS

Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods

Prepared by by the the Ministry Ministry of of Business, Business, Innovation Innovation and and Employment Employment Prepared

For New Zealand Building Code Clause G12 Water Supplies

G12

Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods

Prepared by by the the Ministry Ministry of of Business, Business, Innovation Innovation and and Employment Employment Prepared

For New Zealand Building Code Clause G13 Foul Water

Your feedback is sought on proposed changes to the Building Code, which aim to ensure the safety of drinking water and the safe disposal of foul water and surface water.

G13

AUTHOR: MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT (MBIE)

Building Code update programme Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods For New Zealand Building Code Clause E1 Surface Water

E1

Once a year, MBIE consults on proposed Building Code updates and provides an opportunity for the construction sector and wider public to make submissions on the proposed changes.

The Building Code compliance pathways need to be updated regularly so that they continue to meet the changing needs of New Zealanders and remain fit for purpose and up to date.

This year changes are proposed to the Building Code compliance pathways that support plumbing and drainage work and aim to ensure the safety of drinking water and the safe disposal of foul water and surface water.

These changes are intended to provide greater confidence that water from a tap is healthy and safe, and are the latest in a series of continuous improvements to the

Building Code compliance pathways that support plumbing and drainage work.

Plumbing and drainage changes MBIE are proposing changes to the Building Code acceptable solutions and verification methods for E1 Surface Water, G12 Water Supplies and G13 Foul Water.

The proposed changes aim to improve the safety of new water supply systems in the following ways: reducing the allowable lead levels in copper alloy products intended to be used to supply potable water reducing the maximum temperature of hot water delivered to fixtures used for personal hygiene improving provisions for the protection of potable water from backflow contamination.

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On the tools BUILDING CODE & STANDARDS

It is also proposed to cite the most recent editions of the AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage standards, make changes to improve provisions for water supply system components in G12/AS1, cite the latest manufacturing standards for plumbing and drainage system components, and make editorial changes to improve consistency.

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1 Lead in plumbing products

The Building Code requires taps and fittings used for drinking water supply systems to be durable and safe for their intended use. Products that contaminate drinking water are not code compliant.

Lead is currently allowed in small amounts in the raw materials used to manufacture some plumbing products, provided it does not contaminate the water. World Health Organisation advice indicates that the most effective way to lower traces of lead in drinking water is to remove lead from plumbing and fittings and it recommends the use of low lead alloy fittings in new plumbing installations or repairs.

MBIE proposes to further reduce the allowable lead content for some plumbing products by 2025 in alignment with health advice and changes being made in Australia.

The proposed changes would affect plumbing products which contain copper alloys and are intended to be used to supply drinking water such as pipe fittings, valves, taps, mixers, water heaters and water meters.

MBIE proposes to further reduce the allowable lead content for some plumbing products by 2025 in alignment with health advice and changes being made in Australia

2 Water temperatures

It is proposed to reduce the maximum temperature of hot water at taps used for personal hygiene

The Building Code aims to ensure water temperature requirements are safe for all New Zealanders, including the most vulnerable. The current maximum hot water delivery temperatures for most buildings in New Zealand is higher than in other countries at 55°C. Research indicates those most at risk from tap water scalds are infants, young children, the elderly and people with physical or intellectual disabilities, and 65% of severe tap water scalds have been found to occur in infants and young children under four years old.

It is proposed to reduce the maximum temperature of hot water at taps used for personal hygiene to reduce the risk of scalding injuries. The maximum allowable temperature for most buildings is proposed to be reduced from 55°C to 50°C. For early childhood centres, the maximum allowable temperature is proposed to be reduced from 45°C to 40°C to align with Ministry of Education requirements. The proposed changes would only apply to new plumbing fixtures used for personal hygiene, such as hand basins, baths and showers.

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of potable water 3 Protection supplies from backflow

Backflow can create a health risk to occupants in buildings and to entire public water supply systems. It occurs when the flow of water is reversed and contaminants are drawn into a potable water supply.

Feedback from stakeholders in the plumbing industry confirmed that there are issues with current backflow prevention measures. Some requirements are unclear, which has led to inconsistencies

in application across the country. MBIE propose to update Acceptable Solution G12/ AS1 to provide clarity around when backflow prevention is required, what type of backflow prevention devices are suitable and how these devices should be installed and tested.

drainage systems and revisions to these standards were published last year.

It is proposed to cite the 2021 editions of the AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage standards as acceptable solutions for designing and installing plumbing and drainage systems in New Zealand.

3500 Plumbing and 4 AS/NZS drainage standards supply system 5 Water components The AS/NZS 3500 standards play an integral part in setting out design and installation requirements for plumbing and

Improvements to Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 are proposed to fill in gaps in this

It is proposed to cite the 2021 editions of the AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage standards as acceptable solutions for designing and installing plumbing and drainage systems

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On the tools BUILDING CODE & STANDARDS

The introduction of installation provisions for expansion vessels in mains pressure storage water heating systems is among the proposals for change to G12/AS1.

compliance pathway, address issues raised by stakeholders, and provide more ways for building water supply systems to comply with the Building Code.

These include proposed amendments to the requirements in G12/AS1 for: Expansion vessels Seismic restraint of water heaters Accessible taps Wetback water heaters UV resistant pipework insulation material Cleaning and disinfection of water storage tanks Water supply pipework installation standards

Minimum and maximum water pressures Relief valve drain discharge locations and tundish drain sizing Minimum pipework cover below ground Flushing of water supply systems Unintentional heating of cold water.

Other updates and changes Other changes proposed as part of the 2022 Building Code updates include citing the latest manufacturing standards for plumbing and drainage system components and making editorial changes to align compliance pathway requirements for plumbing and drainage systems.

HAVE YOUR SAY

MBIE’s consultation on the proposed changes to the Building Code will begin in May 2022 and run until July 2022. MBIE want to hear what you think on these proposals, so please take the time to have your say.

More information on the proposed changes and how to provide feedback is available at www.mbie.govt.nz/ have-your-say/

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29

Rules for solid fuel fire installations vary from region to region. NZ Plumber takes a look at the requirements within each of the 16 local government regions.

AUTHOR: SARAH JOHNSON

T

he National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NES) came into force in 2004. They comprise 14 interlinked standards designed to protect air quality, including a design standard for new wood burners.

Under the design standard, all new wood burners installed from 1 September 2005 on properties less than 2 hectares in size must have emissions of less than 1.5 grams of particles per kilogram of dry wood burnt and a thermal efficiency of not less than 65 per cent. Both the emission discharge and the thermal efficiency are determined in accordance with AS/NZS 4012:2014, or an equivalent method. The 2-hectare rule applies whether the property is urban or rural. Open fires, multi-fuel burners, pellet burners and woodburning cooking stoves are not covered by the design standard.

Regional councils and unitary authorities are responsible for upholding the NES. They do this by monitoring air quality in areas where it is likely or known to be bad (known as airsheds), and through the consenting process when fires are being installed.

To help councils, the Ministry for the Environment maintains a list of authorised wood and pellet burners that have been tested and found to comply with the standards (Authorised Wood Burner List).

However, councils are able to impose more stringent regional rules on wood and solid fuel burners in order to uphold the air quality in their region. Typically, this is through bylaws, regional plan or air quality plan rules, or bans on using certain

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types of fires in particular airsheds. The requirements for installing new solid fuel indoor fires within each of the 16 council areas are summarised below. More in-depth guidance, including on second-hand fires and reinstalling existing fires, is available on most councils’ websites.

AUCKLAND COUNCIL Fires must comply with both the NES and the Auckland Council Air Quality Bylaw for Indoor Domestic Fires 2017 (clause 7) All types of fires are permitted on all rural properties For rural properties <2ha, wood burners must comply with the NES For urban, coastal or industrial properties ≥2ha, all fires must meet a particle emission rate of <4g/kg For urban, coastal or industrial properties <2ha: • wood burners must comply with the NES • all fires must meet a particle emission rate of <4g/kg Most solid fuel open fires will not meet the emission standard in clause 7 of the bylaw, so cannot be installed in urban, coastal or industrial areas.

BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL COUNCIL In the Rotorua airshed: • indoor open fires, coal burners and ranges, multi-fuel burners, Marshall heaters, chip heaters and pot belly stoves cannot be installed or used • only pellet fires and wood burners on the Authorised Wood Burner List can be installed

• wood burners must have an emission discharge of no more than 0.60g/kg, effectively ruling out all but ultra-low emission burners • emissions from fires are capped in certain suburbs; any new fire installed in these areas must be offset by the removal of a fire in another residence.

Outside the Rotorua airshed, solid fuel burners must comply with the NES.

ENVIRONMENT CANTERBURY In the Christchurch, Timaru, Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Ashburton clean air zones: • for sites <2ha, only ultra-low emission burners can be installed • for sites ≥2ha, only ultra-low and lowemission burners can be installed.

In the Waimate and Geraldine clean air zones, on all sites only ultra-low and lowemission burners can be installed.

In all other areas, outside of a clean air zone: • for sites <2ha, only ultra-low and lowemission burners can be installed • for sites ≥2ha, all types of fires can be installed that comply with the NES.

ENVIRONMENT SOUTHLAND All new wood and pellet burners installed must comply with the NES All new small-scale solid fuel appliances and boilers must comply with the emission standards in the council’s Regional Air Plan Open fires are prohibited in the Invercargill and Gore airsheds.

On the tools DOMESTIC HEATING

TECHNICAL THEME

GISBORNE DISTRICT COUNCIL For new wood burners, only those on the Authorised Wood Burner List can be installed Second-hand burners can only be installed if they comply with the NES or the property is ≥2ha Multi-fuel burners, including pellet heaters, require a permit and building consent.

GREATER WELLINGTON REGIONAL COUNCIL Wood burners installed on properties <2ha must comply with the NES, and should be on the Authorised Wood Burner List New open fires cannot be installed in the Masterton airshed.

HAWKES BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL For all properties within the Hastings and Napier airsheds: • new wood burners installed must comply with the NES • new open fires are banned.

Elsewhere, wood burners installed on properties <2ha must comply with the NES.

HORIZONS REGIONAL COUNCIL Wood burners installed on properties <2ha must comply with the NES.

MARLBOROUGH DISTRICT COUNCIL In general, consents will not be issued for second-hand fires unless they are less than three-years old Wood burners installed on properties <2ha must comply with the NES.

NELSON CITY COUNCIL In the Nelson urban area and on rural properties <2ha enclosed solid fuel burners cannot be installed unless they replace an existing lawful solid fuel burner In the A, B1 and B2 airsheds, certain older enclosed burners can no longer be replaced In any airshed, if the property does not have an existing enclosed burner, or is a new dwelling, an ultra-low-emission small-scale pellet burner can be installed In the urban area of airsheds B2 and C, if the property does not have an existing enclosed burner, or is new, an ultra-lowemission wood burner can also be installed Enclosed burners include wood burners, pellet fires, multi-fuel burners and coal ranges. Replacement burners must be on the council’s lists of approved wood burners and ultra-low emission pellet burners.

Under the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality, all new wood burners installed on urban and rural properties under 2 hectares must have emissions of less than 1.5 grams of particles per kg of dry wood burnt.

NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL Wood burners installed on properties <2ha must comply with the NES.

OTAGO REGIONAL COUNCIL In Air Zone 1 (Arrowtown, Cromwell, Clyde and Alexandra), new burners must have an emission rate ≤0.7g/kg and a thermal efficiency rate of 65% or over In Milton and elsewhere, burners must comply with the NES Only council-approved pellet fires and ultra-low emission wood burners can be installed in Air Zone 1 and Milton.

TARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCIL Wood burners installed on properties <2ha must comply with the NES.

TASMAN DISTRICT COUNCIL In the Richmond air shed: • only wood burners that comply with the NES and that are listed on the Authorised Wood Burner List can be installed in existing dwellings • for new dwellings, only pellet fires can be installed; pellet fires must have an emission rate ≤0.8g/kg and a thermal efficiency rate of 70% or over.

Elsewhere, wood burners installed on properties <2ha must comply with the NES.

WAIKATO REGIONAL COUNCIL Wood burners installed on properties <2ha must comply with the NES.

WEST COAST REGIONAL COUNCIL Wood burners installed on properties <2ha must comply with the NES.

FIND OUT MORE

National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NES): https:// environment.govt.nz/actsand-regulations/regulations/ national-environmentalstandards-for-air-quality Authorised Wood Burner List: https://environment.govt.nz/ guides/authorised-wood-burners

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On the tools DOMESTIC HEATING

TECHNICAL THEME

HOME FIRES BURNING

Horizon Fires New Zealand have converted a shipping container into a transportable display, which the Gutrys took to the Tauranga Home Show in May.

A home-based home heating showroom has added another dimension to this plumbing and gasfitting business.

J

ohn and Tracie Gutry weighed multiple factors when deciding to extend their Tauranga-based gas and plumbing business by setting up a home heating showroom.

“We were shoulder tapped by the Australasian importer of a range of fires,” John explains. “This was in 2020, just as the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and businesses everywhere were concerned about the future.”

The Gutrys have run their own successful business, Gas & Plumbing Specialists Ltd, in the Tauranga area since 2014. Since 2020, their business has included sales, installation and service for the Horizon Fires New Zealand range throughout the wider Bay of Plenty region. The range includes solid fuel, gas, outdoor and electric fires.

“Our challenge was where best to display the fires,” says John. “It didn’t seem a good idea at the time to be opening a new retail showroom, with all the overheads and staffing commitments this entailed. We were also conscious of the work being undertaken by the Climate Change Commission, and ultimately what that might mean for the future of solid fuel burners and fossil fuel use in New Zealand.”

The solution the Gutrys came up with is a novel one, making use of several under-

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utilised spaces on their lifestyle property to create an immersive home-based showroom.

The original rumpus room in their house and an empty outbuilding were both redecorated and converted into displays with operating gas and electric fires, and static wood fires.

Recently a new outdoor deck area has been added to showcase outdoor fires.

The showroom opens by appointment only. Tracie manages the showroom and John provides extensive industry and product knowledge.

“Being home-based means that people who come to the showroom have usually done some research before they arrive,” says John. “Displaying the fires in the house gives people a real feel for what they will look and feel like in their own homes.

It also means we are able to give clients personalised, uninterrupted viewing time.”

Horizon Fires New Zealand has also converted a large shipping container into a transportable display to showcase its range.

The display can be toured to home shows nationwide. “It’s a fabulous set up with actual gas and electric fires operating,” says John.

The Gutrys successfully attended the May 2021 Tauranga Home Show but, due to the pandemic, other trade shows have since been cancelled. John is hopeful

Tracie and John Gutry have created a homebased domestic heating showroom on their Tauranga lifestyle property.

more shows will go ahead this year. He also considers it essential to keep a close eye on evolving rules around emission levels, and restrictions on installing solid fuel burners.

“One of the trickier aspects with solid fuel fires is the variable requirements across different regional councils,” says John.

“Regional rules and bylaws mean a fire that’s allowable in one area may not be in another.”

Despite these challenges, John and Tracie are very optimistic about their new venture.

“It’s been good to diversify. The heating side of our business is still in its infancy, but we’re keen to develop it further,” says John.

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HOME HEATING TECHNOLOGIES Increasingly, New Zealand plumbers are looking to source energy efficient, sustainable domestic heating options for their clients. Heating technology manufacturer Grant provides information on two technologies suited to new builds and property upgrades.

New builds Air to water heat pumps are an effective and efficient main heat source in a central heating solution for new builds, working best with underfloor heating, but also with correctly sized radiators. The minimised heat loss of these homes matches this medium temperature technology.

Air-to-water air source heat pump technology is perfectly suited for new builds. Shown here is the 10kW Grant Aerona3, with an ErP (Energy-related Products) rating of A+++.

By extracting heat energy from the air around us, air source heat pumps can also help to future-proof a property, as they have a lower dependency on fossil fuels and are subsequently less susceptible to rising fuel costs.

They are becoming an increasingly popular choice amongst New Zealand plumbers and installers due to their cleaner, more environmentally friendly performance, and their ability to lower a property’s overall carbon footprint.

Retrofits can be more challenging because the layout, construction, and existing heating design of older buildings traditionally incorporated high temperature heating systems. For an older building to become heat pump ready, it’s essential that upgrades are made to the building fabric and air tightness before the heat pump installation takes place.

With an ErP (Energy-related Products) rating of A+++, the Grant Aerona3 R32 air to water, air source heat pump was one of the first monobloc R32 air source heat pumps to be launched in the UK and Ireland.

Models within the Aerona3 range have several intelligent design features including weather compensation controls and a base tray heating element to stop ice formation in cold weather conditions. They also come with flexi hoses, valves and a built-in circulating pump as standard factory-fitted components which can help save time on installation.

Available in a variety of outputs, the Aerona3 range has a superior seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) even if outside temperatures were to drop as low as -20°C. Depending on the flow temperature and climate conditions, the Aerona3 heat pump can deliver over four times the amount of energy for every 1kW of electricity used.

Property upgrades For those installing central heating for the first time or upgrading a heating system, a condensing diesel boiler can be a costeffective option to prepare the property for its changing heating needs.

TECHNICAL THEME

YOU KNO

W?

Sustainable

DID

On the tools DOMESTIC HEATING

An ErP (Energy-related Products) Rating on a European boiler or other water heating system is an EU directive to drive increased efficiency and performance in these products.

Products are rated from A down to G. Within the A rating, there is A+++, A++, A+ and A. A-rated boilers will have 90% efficiency or more, whilst G-rated boilers will have 70% efficiency or less.

The Grant Vortex range, for example, is available in 15 different models, all with fullfront service access and with outputs from 26kW–70kW. Models include boiler house, utility—a smaller model designed to fit in a kitchen—and combi for instant hot water.

Fully compliant with ErP directives and with an A efficiency rating, this is one of the most efficient on the market, at up to 97% efficiency.

In 2021, Grant’s R&D breakthrough enabled the company to future-proof the full Vortex range to to use HVO biofuel by making a slight modification to the boiler, such as adapting the size of the fuel injector nozzle, fuel pump pressure and blast tube.

About the author: Grant has been designing and manufacturing innovative, reliable and high-quality heating solutions for over four decades and during this time has positioned itself as a global leader within the plumbing and heating industry. Plumbers and installers throughout New Zealand can feel reassured that when they choose Grant they have sustainable heating technologies to avail of from a name they can trust. Contact Waterware on 09 273 9191; www.waterware.co.nz. Follow Grant on Facebook @MyGrantNZ

Condensing boilers, such as this 26kW HVO biofuel compatible Grant Vortex Module, are a sustainable solution for central heating installations in new or existing properties.

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On the tools DOMESTIC HEATING

TECHNICAL THEME

Negative pressure can occur when there isn’t enough ventilation in the home and an extraction fan is operating.

NEGATIVE PRESSURE

The PGDB has information for gasfitters as we approach the time of year when calls are made for gas heater servicing before winter sets in.

W

hilst a gas installation may be compliant at the time of installation, there could have been changes to the building that affect the

proper functions of gas appliances. So, it is important that when gasfitters go to service gas heaters, they check that the installation is still safe and compliant.

One of the things gasfitters should look out for is whether negative pressure is affecting the appliance. Negative pressure can create a problem with the operation of any open-flued gas appliance, and particularly a faulty one.

Dangerous gases, such as carbon monoxide, can be drawn into living spaces from the gas appliance flue or chimney.

Negative pressure can occur when there isn’t enough ventilation in the home and an extraction fan is operating.

Changes to look out for are: The installation of fans such as a rangehood or extractor fan above a stove The installation of fans in bathrooms with doors interconnected to the area where the appliance is located The installation of controlled ventilation systems, such as HRV or DVS or heat transfer units installed in rooms using solid fuel fires Changes that could decrease ventilation, such as new, better sealed windows or permanent vents being covered.

Appendix R of AS/NZS 5601.1:2013 provides details of how to carry out a spillage test, which can show you whether negative pressure is affecting the appliance.

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Andrew, Watersmith Plumbing

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Insulating ring mains to a very high standard is essential. Any ring main is a fixed operating cost for a building. Where occupancy is low (think hotels during Covid), the heat loss from the ring main can be a significant proportion of the hot water energy use. Remember in systems not incorporating UV sterilisers, return water temperature must be greater than 55°C (AS/NZS3500.4) or 60°C (G12/AS1).

For applications where temperature is limited to 45°C, an even higher standard of insulation is required to ensure water at the last fixture is sufficiently hot.

Temperature gauges should be fitted to the storage vessel (or heat source) outlet, return water connection, and after the mixing valve of temperature-controlled systems. It is important that the sensing elements of gauges are inserted into pockets that sit well into the flow stream of a pipe. We have seen many temperature gauges which don’t sense the actual water flow temperatures. This makes it difficult to demonstrate compliance.

A well-operating ring-main system ensures near-instant hot water at the customer’s tap. Rinnai has advice on implementing a successful ring-main project.

G

uidance on ring main design and installation can be found in Section 1 of AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 and scattered throughout G12/AS1.

Ring mains (or circulatory heated water reticulation if you’re a fan of AS/NZS 3500.4) can be divided into two basic types: temperature-controlled and tank-temperature.

Temperature controlled ring mains are normally below 55°C in residential buildings to meet the safe water temperature limits of G12/AS1. They may also be controlled below 45°C for retirement homes (and other buildings defined by G12/AS1 6.14.1 b).

They can be controlled at greater than 60°C where: tank temperatures may be higher than the pipe system rating; or there is a poorly controlled temperature source; or the hydraulic designer prefers to have a known temperature circulating.

1 Tank-temperature systems

Tank-temperature systems have the advantage of simplicity.

They are lower cost to install where there are a small number of outlets. Hot water can be provided at a variety of temperatures to different fixtures.

Challenges with tank temperature systems include: excess temperature degrading polymer pipe access to point-of-use mixing valves for maintenance sticking non-return valves causing cross-connection through mixing valves (which results in low temperature water and high running costs) cost of valves in large installations.

Ring mains can be divided into two basic types: temperature-controlled and tank-temperature.

2 Temperature-controlled systems

Temperature-controlled systems are commonly set to 55°C in medium to large accommodation buildings, which allows simpler connections to each unit without mixing valves. The possibility of future cross-connections through partially open non-return valves is eliminated. The most common issue found with installation of mixing valves in temperature-controlled systems is the failure to include a short circuit path from the ring main return to the cold port of the mixing valve (see Figure 1, Point 1).

Figure 1: Temperature-controlled ring main.

1. Return connection to mixing valve.

2. Cold connection to mixing valve.

3. Ring main return non-return.

Two ring main return loops, each with active/standby pumps.

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This is required to supply the mixing valve with a source of water at a temperature below the set temperature at times of no draw.

Without this connection supplying the cold port, the mixing valve will have flow only into the hot connection, which will then close

On the tools RING MAIN PLUMBING

to limit the temperature. This results in no flow in the ring main causing several issues: the ring main will cool off the circulating pump will have its economic life reduced by pumping against a static head for long periods the mixing valve will be damaged over time as it blocks the hot port against the pump pressure.

All valve manufacturers will show the required hydraulic arrangements as part of their installation manuals.

The next most common issue with mixing valve installations is connecting the cold port of the valve on the tank side of an expansion control valve. This can result in only high temperature water being available to the cold side of the valve for periods of operation. It is best to ensure ‘virgin’ cold water is available to the cold side of the mixing valve with the use of a non-return valve (see Figure 1, Point 2). Remember that an effective non-return valve is also required on the return connection.

MULTIPLE LOOP SYSTEMS

There are two main ways of arranging multiple loop systems: 1. Use thermal balancing valves on all but the longest/most flow-resistant loop. The advantage of thermal balancing valves is that a relatively small circulating pump(s) can be used. Ensuring the longest loop is not controlled is important to keep water flowing across the temperature mixing valve and ensures the pump is not damaged by pumping against a static head. It is important to remember larger multi-stage pumps will have a minimum flow rate.

Dropping below this flow rate will result in premature pump failure. We have seen large pumps installed with thermal balancing valves, with the valve on the shortest loop knocking as pressure was relieved through the closed valve (naturally right behind a bedhead in an upmarket hotel).

2. Use flow restrictors on each loop and a circulating pump large enough to meet the flow in each loop x number of loops.

Multiple mixing valves in temperature-controlled systems It is important these are accurately hydraulically balanced.

Do not attempt to use different sizes or models of valves in parallel. The circulating pump must be capable of ensuring equal flow through all valves to meet the manufacturer’s minimum specification. This ensures the sensing elements can correctly position the valves at all times.

UV STERILISERS

In any ring main system with a return temperature lower than 55°C, a UV steriliser must be used to disinfect Legionella bacteria. The disadvantage with this is the requirement to replace bulbs at least annually. The site needs some means of monitoring the status of the bulb, whether via an alarm or regular documented checks. It is important to use only reputable well-supported brands to ensure replacement bulbs will continue to be available.

Issues with UV sterilisers include: failed bulbs, products intended for cold water only used in hot water applications, and products without appropriate IP ratings installed outdoors.

About the author: Well-implemented ring mains will result in highly satisfied customers. The Rinnai Commercial Hot Water team are available to assist in specifying to ensure Rinnai products work well in these applications.

We also peer review hydraulic designs to confirm no obvious issues exist.

To contact the Rinnai team call 0800 746624 (0800 RINNAI).

The important thing is not to mix and match the two concepts. Symbols used on hydraulic drawings can be confusing, so it is important to understand the hydraulic engineer’s design concept.

Two 80mm Jrgumat valves in parallel.

How would you replace that non-return though?

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On the tools PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION

4. Position Statements

The Fire Protection Association of New Zealand (FPANZ) explains how it has been taking a leading role in raising standards in the passive fire protection sector to ensure that buildings comply on completion.

AUTHOR: JUSTIN MCENTYRE, FPANZ PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION SIG CHAIR

O

ver the past five years, the FPANZ Passive Fire Special Interest Group (SIG) has been working collaboratively across its inner industry participants to put tools and measures in place to help everyone in the industry understand the importance of passive fire protection and how it can be done right.

FPANZ strongly supports the use of trained and experienced specialist passive fire protection installers. In 2022, there is sufficient knowledge, companies and staff across New Zealand to ensure passive fire protection is always completed in a compliant manner.

FPANZ has delivered a variety of initiatives, available to the wider industry, which are outlined below.

1. Passive Fire Products Register

FPANZ has developed a register of compliant passive fire products that manufacturers choose to list. It is an impartial document that provides a tool for searching or checking compliant materials and systems. Currently this document is in PDF format, available from the FPANZ website. It will soon be transferring to an online searchable version that will show comparisons for all available compliant options along with manufacturer/ distributor contact details.

Find the Product Register at www.fpanz. org/docs/product-registers

2. Intumescent Coatings Code of Practice This Code of Practice document has been developed by FPANZ to enhance the design, specification and application of intumescent paint on New Zealand buildings. It provides a step-by-step guide

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for best practice and satisfying the New Zealand Building Code when it comes to intumescent paints.

3. NZQA Level 3 Passive Fire Installer Qualification FPANZ has worked hand-in-hand with Competenz to develop the NZQA Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Passive Fire Protection Installation. This is the first and only NZQA recognised qualification for the installation of passive fire protection systems. Since the establishment of the qualification at the start of 2020, over 250 learners have enrolled, and currently more than 40 have completed the qualification. www.competenz.org.nz/employers/ industries-for-employers/engineering/ fire-protection/support-for-employers/

FPANZ regularly develop and release Position Statements to the market free of charge as a quick way to distribute information where there may be a particular troublesome point in the industry or an area where clarification is required.

Recent Passive Fire Position statements have included: 01 – Fundamentals of Passive Fire Protection 02 – Fire Stopping Methodology 04 – Smoke Stopping

5. Get it Right Seminars

A variety of half-day and full-day FPANZ seminars are held across New Zealand, hosted by subject matter experts. Last June, the Passive Fire SIG delivered its very first ‘Get it Right Seminar’ in Christchurch to a capacity audience. FPANZ will be delivering these to audiences across Aotearoa in 2022.

The agenda will include: Intumescent Coatings Code of Practice Passive Fire Design & Specification Passive Fire Installation Test Labs NZQA Level 3 and Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Passive Fire Protection Installation.

The first Get it Right Seminar for 2022 will be held in Auckland on 17 May. Go to www. fpanz.org/events/get-it-right-seminars for more dates and locations, and to register.

Visit www.fpanz.org for more information on these initiatives.

A qualified passive fire installer installs a tested system from the FPANZ Product Register.

About the author: Justin McEntyre is the FPANZ Passive Fire Protection SIG Chairperson and a Board member. Justin has been involved in the development of many of the FPANZ initiatives mentioned in this article over recent years. He is also the Managing Director of a Passive Fire Protection company that operates across the South and North Island. FPANZ is a not-for-profit member organisation and the national body for fire safety, providing information, services and education to the fire protection industry and the community at large.

First-class convenience from right outside WWK Hot Water Heat Pumps Quiet operation with encased compressor design Suitable for hard or soft water areas with maintenance free current impressed anode Operates down to minus 5°C, ideal for cold climates Unique roll bond condenser technology for optimal heat transfer Active defrost function maintains operation in cold climates automatically Single piece design for ease of installation Ideal to operate with solar PV system H models contain a smart element to aid hot water recovery for high use of hot water.

Get more Informatation www.stiebel-eltron.co.nz/wwk

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A WEALTH OF NEW PRODUCTS FOR THE PLUMBING, GAS AND DRAINAGE SECTORS.

Smart Dashcams from Teletrac Navman Teletrac Navman is proud to announce its new AI-powered Smart Dashcams, a must-have for plumbing companies wishing to increase safety and productivity in 2022. These ground-breaking in-vehicle cameras combine artificial intelligence, telematics data, and advanced on-board sensors to keep your staff safe and productive on the road.

Smart dashcams effectively pinpoint hazards. Frontfacing cameras ensure factors like stop signs and traffic lights are followed, while driver-facing cameras monitor dangerous behaviours like unbuckled seatbelts or distracted driving. The real-time data is accessible to both the drivers and management, allowing you to

pinpoint hazards while the system automatically alerts the driver when it detects poor driving behaviour to help prevent incidents and collisions.

This encourages safe driving habits, and highlights behaviours that cost your company unnecessarily. And for insurance claims or fraudulent insurance costs, your company has access to irrefutable proof.

Go to www.teletracnavman.co.nz/solutions/ solutions-by-role/fleet-manager/intelligent-multicamera-solutions to find how these solutions can transform your company.

Parisi Inwall Cisterns & Push Plates The new Parisi inwall cisterns and push plates from Robertson Bathware offer a harmonious blend of design and quality for inwall and wall hung pans.

Available for mechanical or pneumatic operation, Parisi 90mm inwall cisterns have a WELS 4 star rating and are weight tested to 400kg. Easily maintained through the front panel, the cisterns come with the wall fixing kit, providing multiple fixation points for the installer.

Push plates are available in multiple design options, with Twin Button plates in chrome, brushed nickel, gun metal, black/black glass and brushed brass finishes for pneumatic operation. Choose from Tondo (round) and Blade (rectangular) push plates in a wide range of finishes for mechanical operation. www.robertson.co.nz 42

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On the tools PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Tender faster with simPRO Takeoffs There’s a smarter way to estimate with simPRO Takeoffs. Takeoffs are ideal for marking up and estimating your plumbing project. Quickly and easily measure areas for waterproofing, lengths for piping and use your catalogue items to plan out bathrooms and kitchens in just a few clicks.

Streamline Takeoffs Processes Leave the frustrating back and forth with integrations and other job management software in the past.

With simPRO Takeoffs, you can do it all in one place!

Greater Accuracy of Projects Make your projects more accurate and visually appealing with up-to-date material prices accessed through simPRO.

Cost-Effective Takeoffs Software Save time and money with more productive estimators.

You’ll also save money with simPRO’s competitive pricing.

Upload, create and edit electronic plans, update directly to project cost centres and attach markups to your job or quote from anywhere.

Get tenders out faster and win more jobs with simPRO Takeoffs.

Any simPRO customer who signs up from 1 April 2022 will receive 2 months of Takeoffs for free.* *Terms and conditions apply.

Studio Thermostatic Bath/Shower Mixer by Englefield

Methven Minimalist MK2 collection The new Methven Minimalist MK2 collection is a fresh take on modern minimalism. It includes a design upgrade to the existing Methven Minimalist tapware, alongside the introduction of new showering featuring VJet technology. Shower mixers feature a universal in wall body with separate trim kits allowing for flexible installation. With its ultra-thin design, strict geometry and popular colour choices, Minimalist MK2 brings enduring sophistication to every space.

This shower or bath mixer from Englefield features technology that maintains a constant showering or bath filling temperature, even with fluctuations in the water supply.

It has a thermostatic cartridge with precise temperature control to reduce the risk of scalding or uncomfortable temperature fluctuations.

Easy to use – a single control for flow and temperature to help you fine tune your perfect experience Adjustable maximum temperature Englefield ‘Hub’ is a new and innovative feature that allows for a quicker and more reliable installation, meaning you can really fit and forget In hardwearing polished chrome Suitable for both equal mains and equal low pressure Operating pressure range 10 to 500kPa (equal). nzplumber

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On the tools PRODUCTS & SERVICES

NEW Rectangular Grates for APD StormPit Type 2 APD’s StormPit Type Two sumps are now available with two rectangular grate options—flat and concave Class D—as well as the existing round grates.

Why use heavy, difficult concrete sumps when you can use a New Zealand Building Code compliant APD Type Two sump and make your job easier? Made locally in New Zealand from durable recyclable polyethylene, APD’s Type Two sumps are lightweight at only 45kg, allowing for an easy two-person lift. The sumps are adjustable in height, to allow for maximum versatility to best suit your site, and feature an anti-flotation ring.

Talk to the team at APD today to find out more about the new StormPit Type Two rectangular grates on 09 263 7741.

Or visit www.apd.co.nz for more info.

New gas system: Bute-Gasline The Bute-Gasline (Gasline) System is available from Buteline as an extension to their plumbing systems, providing a new option for gasfitters and architects/specifiers.

Designed and assembled at Buteline NZ Ltd, the high-quality fittings utilise the same easy-to-install SureFit one-piece design concept as Buteline and Pexline, fitting onto multilayer PEX-Al pipe. The Gasline Gas System complies with the Australian standards AS/NZS 4176.8 and is ISO Type 5 approved. Quality controlled and tested in-house, the Gasline System is covered by extensive worldwide patents.

Features and benefits: No O-rings or pipe inserts Uses the same tooling as Pexline: Gasline 16mm ProClamp Tool (PROT3) can also be used on 15mm Buteline & 16mm Pexline plumbing systems Brazing Tails & Copper Tails as transition fittings to Cu Precise quality control Cost-competitive, startup packs available Sales and technical support nationwide.

Enquire at your local quality plumbing merchant or call 0800 BUTELINE for more information.

NEW SecuraGold™ PB Mains Fittings Reduce the risk of using the old, outdated multiple joint method to connect the mains water supply to a building and replace it with ONE Solid, Simple, and Secure PB Mains Fitting. Another industry-first from Dux, the SecuraGold™ PB Mains fittings are designed specifically for connecting the mains water supply (PE) to PB Pipes as the supply line enters the building envelope.

The new single fitting design is faster to install, locks on tight with triple barbs, and features the seeing eyelet that enables installers to visually check the pipe is fully engaged to the fitting before crimping. These new fittings reduce the risk of leaks by replacing the multiple joints with one fitting, giving you more peace of mind. www.dux.co.nz/securagold 44

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Maci and Mika from Greens Tapware SMC2520

SME2520

The Maci range from Greens Tapware is a gift of pure elegance and stunning minimalist design. A variation on the Maci range, the Mika range features a sparkling faceted texture detail on the handles.

Pictured here is the Mika basin mixer in brushed brass.

Perfect for every installation, from new builds to renovations of existing spaces, Maci and Mika are suitable for all pressures and available in five stunning finishes.

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

GOLD PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS

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MEMBER BENEFIT

MANUAL & APP

Master Plumbers

HEALTH & SAFETY:

One of the most valued membership resources is the Master Plumbers Health & Safety Manual and App—now available as a complete package, along with video guidance.

The Master Plumbers Health & Safety Manual and App have been reviewed and updated by health and safety consultant Greg Dearsly. Changes reflect new workplace obligations under the Privacy Act 2020; pandemic planning and risk assessment; plus clarification of a PCBU’s responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

Those who currently use the Master Plumbers Health & Safety App will be aware that the recent upgrades have been loaded to the new version, which is now available as a complete package for any members purchasing the Master Plumbers Manual in print and PDF. A series of eight short videos has also been developed to guide members step-by-step through using the manual and app.

Every aspect of the Master Plumbers health and safety platform is heavily discounted for members.

Option One: App PLUS Manual in print and PDF – $270+GST Option Two: App – $120+GST per year Option Three: Tailored health and safety support and advice from Greg Dearsly at First 4 Safety – $144+GST per hour.

For more information and to purchase, visit the Health and Safety section of the member log-in area at www.masterplumbers.org.nz

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THIS EDITION’S NEWS FROM MASTER PLUMBERS INCLUDES AN UPDATE ON THE SELF-VERIFICATION PILOT FOR PLUMBERS AND DRAINLAYERS.

Business Partner Forum held online Due to the Omicron surge in New Zealand, the annual Business Partner Forum and Member Forum were both held successfully online in late February and early March. Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace opened both events with an update on the work the organisation had undertaken to support members through the ever-changing workplace impacts of the Covid pandemic, including a recent video resource to help members apply for critical worker status.

He followed this up with an overview of the updated Master Plumbers strategy 2022-2025 and member feedback from the latest Master Plumbers annual survey, which showed that the shortage of qualified tradespeople, consenting delays, and issues with the current training system were the three main challenges facing our industry.

Greg finished his presentation by outlining key advocacy projects at Master Plumbers, which include the removal of lead from drinking water products; self-verification for plumbers and drainlayers; ensuring

the gasfitting sector is trained and ready to take advantage of viable alternative fuels to natural gas and LPG; and representation on the Construction & Infrastructure Workforce Development Council as a voice for the training needs of the PGD sector.

Guest speakers included Ross Wakefield, Senior Advisor, Plumbing and Hydraulic Services at MBIE, who advised of upcoming consultation on plumbing and drainage systems and standards as part of the annual Building Code update (see page 24); and Gareth Kiernan, Chief Forecaster at Infometrics, who provided a construction outlook, predicting continued strong construction activity for the next 18 months, with capacity pressures and material constraints presenting the biggest challenge.

Members can find the updated Master Plumbers strategy in the member log-in area of the website www.masterplumbers.org.nz, under Rules & Strategy.

In his economic forecast presentation, Gareth Kiernan noted that a squeeze on household budgets, high interest rates and a very tight labour market were causing a drop in consumer spending behaviour.

5,000 FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS!

Thank you to each and every follower of the Master Plumbers Facebook page, which has reached the milestone of 5,000 followers. We’re so grateful you’ve connected with us to keep abreast of exciting19. activities, competitions and initiatives coming up at Master Plumbers. Great to have you with us. www.facebook.com/masterplumbersnz

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Master Plumbers

SELF-VERIFICATION PILOT PROGRESS With slow inspection and consenting timeframes continuing to hold up building projects—particularly in Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty—Master Plumbers is making good progress on its initiative to enable selfverification for plumbers and drainlayers.

Tuhura Partners have been appointed to manage the project, which is being funded

by Master Plumbers and the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE).

“Our aim this year is to roll out a successful pilot in Hamilton, Christchurch and Tauranga, with the eventual goal of being able to extend self-verification throughout the regional Building Consent Authorities,” says Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace.

APPLIED DIRECTORSHIP PROGRAMME WINNER Many Master Plumbers member businesses have developed a board structure or are on the directorship journey.

So, it was no surprise that we received significant response to our competition to win a free place, worth over $6,000, on the Sirdar Applied Directorship Programme, which is licensed for delivery in New Zealand by Skills Consulting Group.

Congratulations to deserving winner Nick Paris of Plumbing Today in Auckland.

Nick began the 11-month programme in mid-March, which will see him completing monthly four-hour sessions on topics ranging from organisational culture to effective leadership and financial results.

The judges were impressed by Nick’s commitment to continuing his professional development and fulfilling his career aspirations. A Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer, he also has a Diploma in Marketing and a Master’s

UPDATES

“Current wait times for inspections can blow out projects by three to four weeks—even for simple drainage or first fit items for plumbers— and we know from our 2021 member survey that this is the second biggest challenge across the industry, after labour shortages.”

The pilot will use digital technology to speed up inspections and consent approvals, utilising the existing Artisan app developed

by BRANZ for the building industry.

“The average drive time for an inspector per site visit in Auckland is 42 minutes and the average time on site is four-and-a-half minutes,” says Greg. “Significant efficiencies could be created through the use of remote technology.”

The process would see plumbers and drainlayers taking photos of their work as they go and submitting these to the Building Consent Authority for a pass/fail. Any necessary remediation work would then be completed and the changes resubmitted for approval.

Two workshops have been held to date to discuss the pilot rollout. NZ Plumber will bring more updates as we have them.

Don’t forget to register for the 2022 NZ Plumbing Conference in Rotorua from 15-17 June. www.plumbingconference.org.nz Details on page 13.

Powered by

Degree in Business. Working with his wife Sarah, their Plumbing Today business offers full service plumbing, gas, electrical, drainage and heating.

Your journey to being more than just another director starts here.

MT. TARANAKI (MT. EGMONT), NEW ZEALAND

EDUCATE

Nick Paris, winner of our competition for a free place on the Sirdar Applied Directorship Programme. Nick’s first monthly four-hour session was held on 17 March.

Applied Directorship Programme

Find out more about the Applied Directorship Programme at skillsconsultinggroup. com/what-we-do/organisationaldevelopment/governance-development/ sirdar-applied-directorship-programme

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Get to know the Master Plumbers team with our quick Q&As. What’s your work background?

Relationships are an important element of my role, and years of sales experience have equipped me well. I spent nine years in high-volume sales across a variety of businesses, from vehicle sales for Kia—where I was named the 2016 national elite sales executive of the year—to fleet manager for the brand. My most recent position was as a key account manager for a wholesale building/ plumbing supply company.

NAME: Alana Fourie ROLE: Business

Development Manager

What does your day-to-day role look like?

As the Business Development Manager, I am responsible for recruiting new members and expanding existing business relationships. This can happen in a variety of ways! My job allows me to spend a lot of time meeting new people, going to events and travelling (as soon as Covid allows)…

Just the type of role I was looking for!

Can you tell us a bit about you?

I relocated to New Zealand in 2019 after falling in love with the country while on vacation the year before. They say that, as an immigrant, where you first lay your feet in your new country sets the tone for the rest of your emotional rollercoaster. Fortunately for me, I chose to settle in the beautiful Beachlands, east of Auckland—a hidden gem few people are aware of, and I’d like to keep it that way I moved here with my husband and son and, while we will always miss our South African home, we have all adjusted beautifully—and we are fortunate to have family and friends around us. As a sports fanatic, I had previously played netball for provincial colours and have recently joined our local netball club.

What are you listening to right now?

The exact song is So Far Away (how ironic) from one of my favourite bands Staind—I love me some good old rock.

ONLINE FORUM FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day on 8 March was ‘Break the Bias’. To mark the day, Master Plumbers held an online

Three successful women working in plumbing industry-related roles shared their experiences at our International Women’s Day online discussion on 8 March.

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What’s your favourite book, TV show or movie?

I’m not sure if I should say this, but Fifty Shades of Grey! Also the whole Harry Potter series, both as books and films. The most amazing show I’ve ever seen? The Handmaid’s Tale is haunting and powerful.

Where’s your favorite holiday spot?

In New Zealand it’s definitely a tie between Taupō and Kai Iwi Lakes. Well, so far at least.

What’s your favourite food?

Oh gosh, I love foods in general, but good spaghetti bolognaise is always a winner.

Can you name a person who particularly inspires you and why?

It’s probably a cliché, but my son motivates me. He inspires me to be a better version of myself, a better human, every day. To perform random acts of kindness, to talk positively to everyone you meet, to have ambition and to believe you are capable of anything, and to never limit yourself.

After all, he learns from me.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I usually read or dance. Both of these things, I believe, keep me engaged in a really creative way. I can go through space and time to an entirely different zone of bliss and peace. For me, it’s more like therapy. Aside from that, it can be any outdoor or sports-related activity.

discussion with three inspirational and successful women who work within or on behalf of the plumbing industry.

Hutt Gas & Plumbing General Manager Colleen Upton ONZM, Deborah Hart of Deborah Hart Consulting, and Master Plumbers HR Manager Lisa Duston shared their experiences, struggles and successes, as well as inspiration and insights.

Given that women make up around 50% of the New Zealand population, there is so much more opportunity for growth in the numbers of women working in plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses, whether it be on the tools, in office administration, or as business owners and directors.

Read about an inspirational female apprentice in this edition of NZ Plumber (starting on page 76)—the first-ever female winner of Plumbing World’s Young Plumber of the Year competition.

Master Plumbers

MILWAUKEE TOOL PACK PRIZE WINNERS: WORLD PLUMBING DAY World Plumbing Day on 11 March has been fixed on the calendars of the global plumbing community since it was established by the World Plumbing Council in 2010.

This year, to celebrate, we ran a World Plumbing Day Master Plumbers’ prize draw to be in to win one of three amazing Milwaukee Tool Packs. Well done to our winners: First Prize, valued at over $5,000: Turepu Keenan, CF Reese Plumbing Second Prize, valued at over $1,800: Phillip Penno, Mana Plumbing Third Prize, valued at over $1,700: Kris Stokes, Flow On Plumbing.

Win a Master Plumber for a Day To raise awareness of World Plumbing Day amongst New Zealand homeowners, we also ran a prize draw to Win a Master Plumber for a Day! One lucky winner will receive 8 hours’ free plumbing labour on their project. We look forward to featuring the winning project in an upcoming edition.

UPDATES

NEW MEMBERS

A very warm welcome to new Master Plumbers member businesses: Allday Plumbing Ltd, Auckland IMC Plumbing and Gasfitting Ltd, Auckland Leak Solutions Ltd, Auckland PGD Works Ltd, Auckland Rinnai NZ Service Agent, Auckland CC Plumbing Services Ltd, Waikato Connect Plumbing Ltd, Wellington Mana Plumbing Kapiti Ltd, Wellington Alpine Plumbing & Gas Ltd, Southland

WANT TO JOIN?

Masterlink apprentice Turepu Keenan with his First Prize stash of Milwaukee goodies!

GET READY FOR PINK SHIRT DAY: 20 MAY

WORKPLACE BULLYING PREVENTION

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 to discuss our two-year membership deal!

Master Plumbers and Masterlink have signed up for Pink Shirt Day again in 2022—how about you? Pink Shirt Day works to put an end to bullying and create workplaces, schools, communities and whānau where everyone feels safe, valued and respected.

Register at www.pinkshirtday.org.nz to receive information and updates in preparation for the day. You’ll also find some great resources on the site, including the workplace bullying prevention guidance shown here.

SPEAK UP, STAND TOGETHER, STOP BULLYING

Alana Fourie 021 985 894 afourie@masterplumbers.org.nz Or contact 0800 502 102 membership@masterplumbers.org.nz

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The McBeth Plumbing & Gas team with their clutch of awards. From left, Scott McBeth, Emma de Salis, Olaf Reinders, Chris Davis, Rae and Ralph McBeth, Robert Brull, Lisa McBeth, Nina Andrews and Shem Brown.

RUNNING IN THE FAMILY

The McBeth Plumbing & Gas family business took home no fewer than four trophies from the recent Volcanic Plateau Master Plumbers Awards—a sign of the success of their people-focused approach.

NZ Plumber talks to Scott McBeth about his journey from apprentice to General Manager, and the dedicated team he works alongside.

AUTHOR: NICK WALKER

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Master Plumbers

A

Master Plumbers’ tie pin has been passed through the generations at McBeth Plumbing & Gas since the 1960s. Ralph McBeth says it’s a tangible reminder of when McBeth’s relationship with the organisation began.

McBeth’s is a multigenerational family business in Taupō. The business took home four big awards at the recent Volcanic Plateau Master Plumbers Awards night, including the prestigious overall Volcanic Plateau Tradesman of the Year Award.

Ralph’s son and General Manager Scott won Training Leader of the Year, daughter Lisa won the Women in Plumbing Award, and Ralph was honoured with a Contribution to the Industry Award.

“That was totally unexpected,” Ralph says. “To receive an award like that is pretty big. It’s an amazing result after just working all those years and doing your job; what needed to be done.”

It’s the perfect bookend to a 56-year career that started at just 14 years old. Ralph recalls many significant changes in the industry over this time, such as moving from copper to PVC, having a specialist welder and creating most fittings from scratch on site.

“Our skillset was completely different back then,” he reflects.

From father to son Ralph took over the business from his dad, and was proud to hand it on in the same fashion to Scott when he retired last year.

“I’m totally at ease with the crew we have there, from the office to the tools. They’re totally dedicated to their jobs, and we’ve stepped back with a great feeling knowing the company is in good hands.”

Not that he’s always seen his son that way. Scott’s career got off to a rocky start, to the point where Ralph even fired him from his apprenticeship.

“As a young 18 year old, I took advantage of the fact that it was my dad’s business, and there were a few times where I didn’t show up because I just didn’t feel like it,” Scott recalls. “It wasn’t until he fired me that it all set in. I went off and worked in a few other areas and grew up a bit, and eventually Dad asked me if I wanted to come back. Now, I can’t see myself doing anything else.”

“I’ve learned the importance of growing your staff and keeping in touch with them both professionally and personally. Things get easier in life and work if you surround yourself with great people that want to strive for better for themselves.”

SCOTT MCBETH General Manager, McBeth Plumbing & Gas Scott believes Ralph was one of the best teachers in New Zealand, and perhaps his own sharp lesson is indicative of that.

That also makes his own training award all the more meaningful. In part, the award recognised Scott’s fortnightly training nights that are designed to proactively develop and maintain core competencies.

MEMBER PROFILE

“We get all the tradespeople in for a beer and pizza or something and disassemble valves, go over codes etc, just to keep all their skills alive. It was initially for apprentices but I thought, why not involve everyone? We’ve got staff from all over the world, so we have a wide range of expertise, and they can all teach each other something.

“I’ve learned the importance of growing your staff and keeping in touch with them both professionally and personally. Things get easier in life and work if you surround yourself with great people that want to strive for better for themselves.”

“Honest and reliable” This approach illustrates the peoplefocused aspect of the company.

Scott says working predominantly in maintenance makes customer service and communication vital.

“We’re pretty well known with our customers for having a great team of people that are honest and reliable. Our scheduling is a key part of it—we don’t work out of a diary and just say, ‘Yeah we’ll be there tomorrow.’ If we say we’re going to be there, we’ll be there, and if anything changes we’ll let the customer know; we won’t leave them hanging.”

He gives a lot of the credit for that to his sister Lisa, the company’s Office Manager.

Her award credited her management skills and understanding of the industry, which helps the entire business run smoothly.

“For her it was pretty cool. She’s never been recognised like that before, so she was pretty blown away. It’s really validating for all the great work she does.”

Managerial skills

Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace attended the 2021 Volcanic Master Plumbers Awards night, joining Ralph and Scott McBeth on stage with Volcanic Master Plumbers President Aaron Jamieson to present them with their Tradesman of the Year Award.

If anything, the learning curve Scott experienced as an apprentice has been just as steep in the past year. Since taking over from Ralph in March, he’s cut his teeth as a manager and dealt with the many challenges of the Covid environment.

“I’ve gone from being a tradesman to stepping into management, and that required a big shift in mindset. I’ve had to learn a lot of different skills, particularly around people, and change from being mates with the guys to still being mates but stepping up to be their manager too.

“It’s really rewarding though—we’ve had a lot of good times and some great achievements along the way. Anyone working in our industry should be proud of what they contribute to society. We really do play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of the people.”

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PLATINUM PARTNER PROFILE

2021 Co-operative Business of the Year The NZPM Co-operative has been named 2021 Co-operative Business of the Year for their growth and performance over the past year—and for ‘walking the talk’ with their support for members and the wider community.

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lumbing World is proud to be part of the NZPM Co-operative. The reasons for establishing the Co-operative, when they first started back in 1964, are still valid today. They want to contribute to their members’ business success by proactively representing their interests within the industry and supply chain and to deliver performance excellence.

Last month, this got well recognised when Co-operative Business New Zealand (NZ COOP) named NZPM Co-operative as their 2021 winner of the Co-operative Business of the Year Award.

The Co-operative Business of the Year Award is presented to a member business that has made a significant and positive impact within the co-operative and local community.

NZPM was recognised with this prestigious award for their considerable growth and a resilient and sustainable performance over the past year. What stood out in their winning nomination was their evidence of ‘walking the talk’ of the

NZPM CEO Rob Kidd (left) and NZPM Chair John DeBernardo receiving the Award from Co-operative Business New Zealand CEO Roz Henry.

co-operative principles and the initiatives they’ve worked on to support this.

This included their work in implementing a Social Responsibility Plan Initiative; their influence in key ethical and sustainable purchasing behaviours;

2021 CO-OPERATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

NZ COOP had a record number of entries to this year’s Awards and the finalists were: Ballance Agri-Nutrients FMG MG Marketing NZPM (2021 Winner)

Co-operative Business New Zealand (NZ COOP) named the NZPM Co-operative as their 2021 winner of the Co-operative Business of the Year Award. The Award is presented to a member business that has made a significant and positive impact within the co-operative and local community.

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engagement in the education and training space; their commitment to the next generation in the plumbing industry; and community fundraising efforts.

Roz Henry, NZ COOP CEO, says, “NZPM is living and breathing the co-operative guiding principles. Their work over the past year, supporting their members and wider community, has put them in good stead to continue to deliver on their strategy going forward.”

The award is about celebrating the success of the co-operative business model and the winner had to clearly demonstrate the value of the model in returning benefits to members and to their local communities.

In announcing the winner, the judging panel stated that some of the other key reasons NZPM won the award were: Their strong membership growth A healthy rebate return to their shareholders Nurturing the next generation with their Young Plumbers Club and Young Plumber of the Year initiatives Their support of women in the industry.

If you would like to join the NZPM Co-operative family and learn more about the benefits of being a shareholder member of this award-winning co-operative, talk to your local branch or visit: www.nzpm.co.nz/investor-centre

NEW RANGE

INTRODUCING

Heatpro Rapid is the price estimating service which allows an installer, specifier or retail customer to accurately estimate the finished capital and running costs for specific systems.

Excellent for selecting the right type of system to meet the client’s needs and setting a realistic cost.

Send us a floor plan and what the client is trying to achieve and Hal will return the Heatpro Rapid document with all of the details. ...and to make it even sweeter, we will turn your request around in 24 hours free of charge.

Key Features include: • Cost estimator service • Specifically configured to allow installer quotation and setting retail expectations • Merchant, installer or retail prices available • With or without installation estimate • 24hr turn around and free of charge • At least 95% accuracy guaranteed Contact Waterware to find out more, or request your Heatpro Rapid cost estimate for your next project.

WHO IS HAL?

Arcas Greens is introducing a new square all pressure range and features the patented FloBOOST® technology.

This is a full range of bathroom tapware including Side lever, Tower Basin, Basin, and Wall Basin, adn Shower Mixers.

Greens Tapware - designed and engineered in NZ since 1935 – and available through plumbing merchants NZ wide.

www.greenstapware.com/ranges/arcas

Hal is the latest member of our tech team, he strives to provide optimal results in the shortest time possible. Hal heads up the Heatpro Rapid design service, his ability to navigate a floor plan, and provide the customer with the most efficient system to suit their needs - is exemplary.

To find our more about Hal, scan the QR code below to download the Heatpro brochure.

VOLCANIC VICTORS...

Unlike so many events in recent months, the 2021 Volcanic Plateau Master Plumbers Awards Night Dinner and Graduation Ceremony eventually managed to go ahead this January, providing an awesome opportunity to celebrate the region’s winners and top-performing apprentices.

“It was super awesome that we managed to hold our awards night,” says Sarah Jamieson of BOP Plumbing and Gas, who organises the event with husband and Volcanic Plateau Master Plumbers President Aaron Jamieson.

Held in Rotorua and opened by Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick, the event was attended by many of the branch’s 33 member companies, their staff and apprentices, with speakers including New Zealand CEO Greg Wallace and National President Jon Lewis.

The McBeth family of Taupō-based McBeth Plumbing & Gas were the star performers on the night, taking away no fewer than four awards, including the Volcanic Plateau Tradesman of the Year.

Read more about this top-quality business on page 52.

VOLCANIC PLATEAU Tradesman of the Year 2021

VOLCANIC PLATEAU Training Leader of the Year 2021

The winner is: McBeth Plumbing & Gas

The winner is: Scott McBeth, McBeth Plumbing & Gas (shown here with wife Tara).

Ralph McBeth and son Scott accepting the award from Master Plumbers New Zealand CEO Greg Wallace (left) and Volcanic Master Plumbers President Aaron Jamieson.

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VOLCANIC PLATEAU Apprentice of the Year 2021

VOLCANIC PLATEAU Contribution to the Industry 2021

VOLCANIC PLATEAU Women in Plumbing 2021

The winner is: Shane Luke, Rawlinsons Plumbing & Gas

The winner is: Ralph McBeth, McBeth Plumbing & Gas

The winner is: Lisa McBeth, McBeth Plumbing & Gas

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BRANCHES & ASSOCIATIONS

VOLCANIC PLATEAU Most Outstanding Plumber 2021

VOLCANIC PLATEAU Most Outstanding Drainlayer 2021

VOLCANIC PLATEAU Most Outstanding Gasfitter 2021

The winner is: Matthew Adams, Town & Country Plumbing & Gas

The winner is: Ben Whitehead, BOP Plumbing & Gas

The winner is: Sam Baker, BOP Plumbing & Gas

RECOGNISING GRADUATES

15 newly qualified apprentices were acknowledged on the night, with five graduates in attendance to receive their National Certificates.

VOLCANIC PLATEAU Masterlink Apprentice of the Year 2021

VOLCANIC PLATEAU Best Fourth Year Apprentice of the Year 2021

The winner is: Jayden Turton, 100% Plumbing & Gas

The winner is: Joshua Powley, BOP Plumbing & Gas (Joshua couldn’t attend as he was getting married, so his award was collected by BOP Plumbing & Gas tradesman George Richmond.)

VOLCANIC PLATEAU Best Third Year Apprentice of the Year 2021

PLUMBING AND GASFITTING Logan Hirst Josh Kenyon James Maguire Matthew Pirini George Richmond PLUMBING Lawrence Cawte Glen Cowie

Jonathan Double Bradley Merwood Tama Stringer DRAINLAYING Zak Anderson Michael Dopson Hamish McLeod Zak Stoddart Robin Van Der Lem

Logan Hirst receiving his Plumbing & Gasfitting Level 4 National Certificate from Lisa Nisbet of Skills.

The winner is: Brad Charles, BOP Plumbing & Gas

A WORD OF THANKS

VOLCANIC PLATEAU Best Second Year Apprentice of the Year 2021

VOLCANIC PLATEAU Best First Year Apprentice of the Year 2021

The winner is: William Lawton, Advanced Plumbing Taupo

The winner is: Jayden Turton, 100% Plumbing & Gas

“We’re very grateful to our sponsors, who made the night possible,” says Sarah Jamieson.

Platinum Sponsor: Mico Gold Sponsors: Greens Tapware, RWC, Plumbing World, Masterlink, Kohler, Aqualine and Buteline Silver Sponsors: Dux and Rinnai Graduation Ceremony Sponsors: The Skills Organisation

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WAIKATO WINNERS!

Due to Covid-19, the 2021 Waikato Master Plumbers Awards were presented individually this February, with a special gala awards night dinner to be held in combination with the 2022 awards this September.

WAIKATO Master Plumber of the Year 2021 The winner is: Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas “On behalf of the Waikato Executive Committee and all members, I would like to thank Dave Strong and the MPG crew for all their contributions to our industry for many years,” said Waikato President Dave Morgan (far right).

“The Waikato Master Plumbers Awards Night is our pinnacle event each year and attracts interest from all over the greater Waikato,” says President Dave Morgan. “The event attracts up to 250 people, including the Mayor and other dignitaries, for a night of black-tie dinner and awards celebration.”

The 2021 event was rescheduled twice due to Covid-19 and eventually the difficult decision was made to cancel and to celebrate the winners at a combined event with the 2022 awards at a gala event on Friday 16 September.

“The event promises to be one of the largest awards nights we have ever run and will celebrate the best in our industry for both years,” says Dave. “We are also proud to support our apprentices with their New Zealand Certificates and to recognise this very important milestone in their journey in our industry.

“To all of our 2021 nominees and winners, I would like to thank you for your patience and understanding—and look forward to celebrating with you at the 2022 event. The inability to hold the 2021 awards night by no means lessens the prestige that goes with each and every award, and you all should be very proud of your achievements.”

Save the date: The 2021 and 2022 Waikato Master Plumbers award winners will be celebrated at a gala awards dinner and apprentice graduation ceremony on Friday 16 September 2022.

WAIKATO Master Plumbers Training Leader of the Year 2021

WAIKATO Master Plumbers Outstanding Services to the Industry Award 2021 The winner is: David Whitfield “A very well deserved award for all the hard work David has put into the Waikato and national plumbing industry, and his willingness to pass his knowledge on through training and advice,” said Dave Morgan.

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The winner is: FB Hall

WAIKATO Master Plumbers Outstanding Drainlayer Award 2021 The winner is: Kerryn Reardon “This is particularly special, given that Kerryn has also taken out Outstanding Plumber and Outstanding Gasfitter in 2019 and 2020 respectively—which has never been done before,” said Dave Morgan.

Master Plumbers

WAIKATO Master Plumbers Personal Growth & Development Award 2021

WAIKATO Master Plumbers Outstanding Plumber 2021

The winner is: Caleb Stewart

The winner is: Luke Cornille

BRANCHES & ASSOCIATIONS

WAIKATO Master Plumbers Outstanding Gasfitter 2021 The winner is: Cody Hall

THANKING THE SPONSORS

WINTEC Apprentice of the Year 2021

WAIKATO Masterlink Apprentice of the Year 2021

The winner is: Raiden Keeble

The winner is: Quintin Trott

Buteline, GWA/Caroma, Dux Industries, Greens, Hirepool, Marley, Masterlink, Iplex, Plumbing World, MM Kembla, Rheem, Wintec, Skills.

All-new Staria Load

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Built to work smarter and look better doing it, the all-new Staria Load features futuristic exterior styling, a roomy interior and flexible, easy-to-load cargo space.

Keen to experience the Staria Load? Get in touch with us today and find out about the special Master Plumber members deal on our newest work van.

hyundai.co.nz/master-plumbers *Vehicle accessories sold separately

THE LATEST FROM MASTERLINK, INCLUDING A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH METHVEN CAROMA GROUP THAT WILL SEE 10 MASTERLINK APPRENTICES ENJOYING A YOUNG LEADER OUTWARD BOUND COURSE IN JULY.

Masterlink & Methven Caroma Outward Bound Scholarships Masterlink has partnered with Methven Caroma to offer 10 Masterlink apprentices the opportunity to join other construction industry trainees on a fully funded 16-day Young Leader Outward Bound course running from 5 to 20 July 2022.

Each scholarship is worth more than $3,500 per person, travel to and from Picton is subsidised (up to $500) and Masterlink pays apprentices’ wages for each 8-hour working day spent on the course.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer this amazing experience to so many Masterlink apprentices, and we couldn’t do this without the incredible support of our partner Methven Caroma,” says Masterlink General Manager Steve Strawbridge.

Methven Caroma are strong supporters of the plumbing industry through their CARC (Caroma Accredited Research Customer) programme, and they were eager to find a way to invest in great young leaders amongst our industry’s trainee plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers.

Sponsoring the Masterlink Outward Bound Scholarship for

apprentices was the perfect fit for the company. Several of their staff, including Craig Jones, NZ Country Head, have been on Outward Bound courses, so they understand the impact and benefits of the programme.

“The next generation are our greatest resource, and we need to value and invest in them,” says Craig.

“Outward Bound provide a gold standard experience that sets you up for life.”

“Host companies of previous Outward Bound Scholarship winners say their apprentices returned from the course with greater confidence in their abilities and a clear sense of purpose,” says Steve Strawbridge. “It’s no exaggeration to say that this was a life-changing experience with direct benefit to the business training them.”

The 2022 scholarship winners were announced in April.

We’ll publish an update in the next issue of NZ Plumber.

Find the latest Masterlink & Methven Caroma Outward Bound Scholarship information on the Masterlink website at www.masterlink.co.nz/scholarships-outward-bound/

Outward Bound courses teach strength in communication, collaboration and teamwork, which benefits participants’ working and personal lives.

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MASTERLINK

YOUNG PLUMBER OF THE YEAR NATIONAL FINALISTS Masterlink apprentice Aki Shimamoto and former apprentice Sam Jenkin both made it to the national final of Plumbing World’s 2021 Young Plumber of the Year, held this February in Hamilton.

Only 10 young plumbers from around Aotearoa make it to the national, so this is a huge achievement. Congratulations Aki and Sam—we’re very proud and it also speaks volumes about the quality of the businesses you work for. Aki is hosted by HiFlo Plumbing in Oamaru and Sam is now a qualified tradesman at McIvor Plumbers & Gasfitters Wanaka.

Current and former Masterlink apprentices Aki Shimamoto and Sam Jenkin both reached the 2021 Young Plumber of the Year National Final.

MASTERLINK MILESTONES WELCOME

A warm Masterlink welcome to new apprentices: Lealofi Matautia – CB Civil, Auckland Jason Lunn – Gas & Water Ltd, Dunedin Jordie Greenan – Mains Plumbers 2004 Ltd, Dunedin Clay Cooper – Titirangi Plumbing and Drainage, Auckland Matthew Pao – Biolytix Ltd, Auckland Sidney Boyd – Quix Commercial, Auckland Finn Hunter – Hunter Plumbing, Blenheim Rahul Sami – Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas Services, Morrinsville Logan Rankin – Rankin Plumbing, Pahiatua Oliver Fisher – Bryant Plumbing & Maintenance, Otaki Levi Palmer – Stocker Dairy Plumb Ltd, Ashburton Mathew Taula Fili – Moods Plumbing Ltd, Christchurch Shea Kitchin – Marlborough Plumbing & Heating, Blenheim Devan Benecke – Laser Plumbing Christchurch West, Christchurch Casey Hicklin – Design Plumbing, Auckland Lachland Cuttance-Dunne – Advanced Plumbing, Tauranga Ethan Hakaraia – Hutt Gas and Plumbing Systems Ltd, Lower Hutt Simar Sidhu – Turfrey – Wellington Gurmeet Singh Grewal – Turfrey – Wellington Cameron Dickson – Ground Down Ltd, Christchurch Adam Watson – Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Palmerston North Rakshay Ram – Illingworth Plumbing, Auckland Jonathan Little – Peter T Davies Ltd, Auckland Blayne Howe – HiFlo Plumbing, Oamaru

Turepu Keenan – CF Reese Plumbing, Hamilton Maxwell Baines – CF Reese Plumbing, Hamilton Oliver Hansen – Fletcher Plumbing, Auckland Seth Thompson – Laser Plumbing Te Puke Brynn Landman – Tauranga Hardware & Plumbing Co, Tauranga Jack Borham – K-10 Ltd, Auckland Chaman Lal – Cooke Plumbing Company, Auckland Jacob Jones – Alba Plumbing Gas and Heating, Wanaka Michael Chamberlain – DB Henderson Plumbing, Christchurch Clay Regas – Plumbing & Gas Works, Hamilton Paul Seagar – Heron Plumbing, Auckland Adam Davis – City Limits Plumbing, Auckland Reef Raumati – CJ Cant, Hamilton.

Huge thanks to all Masterlink hosts for your commitment to training the next generation.

QUALIFIED

Masterlink Central North Island RM Russell Walsh presenting Ethan McBride with his Masterlink Certificate of Completion and National Certificate in Plumbing.

Congratulations to Adam Barclay, Hannah Cunningham, Tom Griffin, Ethan McBride, Jack Polglase, Mitchell Stringer and Corbin Winiata for completing your Level 4 Plumbing and Gasfitting National Certificates!

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MASTERLINK

MASTER PLUMBERS APPRENTICE MEMBERSHIP All Masterlink apprentices automatically receive Master Plumbers Apprentice Membership. Apprentice Members are entitled to special discounts, regular

member communications, and to enter member-exclusive competitions.

Congratulations to Turepu Keenan, a first-year Masterlink PDG apprentice

hosted by CF Reese Plumbing, who won the first prize in the recent Master Plumbers World Plumbing Day competition—bagging himself a Milwaukee Tool Pack, worth over $5k!

See page 51 for all the lucky winners.

ARE YOU STRUGGLING?

Masterlink would like to remind apprentices and hosts that wellbeing coach Kereama Carmody is just a phone call away if you need some support. Times are difficult right now and you may be feeling depressed or anxious or be dealing with other issues. Kereama, a registered social worker, is here to help in confidence.

Time is flying! Remember to refer an apprentice candidate to Masterlink by 30 June to be in to win a fabulous deluxe two-night trip for two to a mystery location in NZ.

AIR NZ MYSTERY BREAK GIVEAWAY Thursday 30 June 2022 is the final day for the Masterlink competition to win a deluxe two-night Air New Zealand Mystery Break for two, valued at $1,500!

For your chance to win, let Masterlink know if you have promising people contacting you wanting to be taken on as an apprentice. It’s

not always possible to take on every quality candidate you interview, so why not refer the good ones to Masterlink for a potential win-win?

Find out more and complete the online form at www.masterlink.co.nz/ air-nz-mystery-break-prize-draw

Find Kereama’s contact details at www.masterlink.co.nz/ wellbeing-on-tap (you’ll need your Master Plumbers website log-in details handy). Or contact one of the friendly Masterlink team on 0800 502 102 to ask for Kereama’s phone number.

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

Pete Shields Business Development Manager 021 289 0255

Bob McCoy Lower North Island 027 479 0075

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Rupert Sanford-Scutt Auckland & Northland 027 558 5441

Sam Timlin Upper South Island 021 433 615

Colin Kilpatrick Auckland 021 773 296

Russell Walsh Central North Island 027 600 9929

Brendan Parker Lower South Island 021 644 560

Abbie Buchanan Lower South Island 021 456 934

Give wellbeing coach Kereama Carmody a call in confidence if you need to talk.

Your home central heating & domestic hot water provider 54 Stonedon DR, East Tamaki, Auckland 2013, New Zealand Call: +64 9-273 9191 or visit www.waterware.co.nz

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BUSINESS COACH

(so your best staff never want to leave)

Business smarts

FIVE INCENTIVE IDEAS Business Coach Daniel Fitzpatrick looks at how to implement incentives that keep your staff self-driven and poacher-proof.

AUTHOR: DANIEL FITZPATRICK, NEXT LEVEL TRADIE

N

othing stings more than losing one of your standout workers. You know who I’m talking about. The ones that always turn up on time, have a great attitude and never let you down. They’ll go the extra mile, because they take pride in their work.

Things tick along nicely. Until they ask for a ‘quick chat.’ They’ve had an offer they can’t refuse and they’re off. You ask what you can do to keep them, but that ship has sailed.

Great staff are worth their weight in gold at the moment. So, how do you make sure your best staff stick around? Think about your current team. Who can you not afford to lose? Now consider this…

1 Dopassyourtheincentives poacher test?

Say your best employee got approached tomorrow with a job offer. What would stop them saying yes?

Losing a valuable team member hurts.

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The best incentives help you build a culture that people won’t want to leave.

Everyone wants to know where they’re heading. Help them get what they want in their lives. Invest in training them. Align their goals with your business goals. Show them how working with you gets them the career path they want. This creates loyalty and they are less likely to get poached.

Give great bonuses for hitting targets, like the team gets a certain dollar amount for completion of a job on time or early.

Consider a $$K bonus if they are still with you at the end of each year.

For the ultimate employee… consider offering a profit share or even an ownership share to keep them for good. Without stating the obvious, these incentives should only be considered for your MVPs.

know what your staff 2 Dowantyounext?

Long-term incentives are crucial for retention. But you’ve also got to walk before you can run. Knowing what your team wants in the short-term matters, too.

Have you spent time finding out what your team members value most? Don’t assume you know what they consider good perks. Ask them and find out what they really want. They’ll give you powerful incentive ideas for now and later on.

Show them how going the extra mile will help you help them achieve that goal. One business owner I work with goes out of his way to help out his staff. In their first few months, he finds a way to contribute to their personal lives. This could be setting them up with a mortgage advisor if they’re looking for a house, or they get to leave an hour early to coach their kid’s sports team on Thursdays.

The point is, it’s what matters to them.

your incentive programme 3 Isbreeding entitlement?

Entitlement. It’s the last thing you want in a staff member. So how do we stop it creeping in from incentives?

You might do this already—keep them random. Shout your guys the odd coffee here and there. Give them a gift card to the local tool supplier when a curveball meant they really had to dig in to get a job done on time, and they knocked it out of the park.

At the risk of stating the obvious, the key lies in the inconsistency. They’re informal gestures that say ‘we appreciate your effort.’

Keeping them unexpected is what keeps entitlement at bay. If staff don’t know they’re coming, then expectations don’t grow.

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“Align staff incentives with your business goals.

This gets everyone on the same page and your business ends up running with the fluency of a Formula 1 pit crew.”

DANIEL FITZPATRICK Next Level Tradie

That said… random incentives are a move, not a game plan. They’re valuable, particularly if you sense entitlement brewing.

But they’re best placed as the cherry on the incentive cake—not as the cake itself.

How often do you ask 4 your team members for their number?

You’ve asked each staff member what they prefer as an incentive. Extend the buy-in. Ask them to come up with their own performance goals. Go through this process together. Agree on something, then catch up regularly to help them stay on track. This doesn’t have to be long (10 mins weekly should do it) but consistency is key.

For example, if your apprentice wants to work on turning up on time or improving their attitude, and you agree, hold them accountable to these performance goals by grading them out of 10 at the end of each week.

Do this with each of your team so everyone has something they’re aiming for.

This way they don’t get bored, as studies show being bored in their current role is the biggest reason people look for a new one.

Keep your team challenged by giving everyone a number that they’re accountable to. The best sports teams are great at this. The players hold each other accountable, not the coach. When everyone has their number, your guys will help each other out too.

big are you 5 How on the little things?

Incentives are great. But they’re not your only tool to building a team that loves working for you. Recognition is powerful (and definitely a lot easier). Research shows that 63% of staff who feel recognised are highly unlikely to look for a new job.

On the flip side—a lack of recognition is why 44% of employees change jobs.

One tradie I worked with had an admin person who was on a bit of a performance roller coaster. She wasn’t quite giving the boss what he needed. Productivity fell,

Business smarts BUSINESS COACH

appreciated by acknowledging what was true—he couldn’t have done that task without her. Sometimes we can overlook the power of recognising the value of what our team does every day.

This recognition doesn’t have to only come from you. Put praise from customers in your group chat. This will make your team feel great about the work they’ve done.

Recognition of a job well done can be one of the best returns on investment in your business. How often do you say “thank you”?

So what’s the ultimate key to staff retention?

You’ve got to pay your staff well, but more money isn’t always the answer.

Instead, find out what truly matters to them and reward them in that way.

Even better, attach it to their long-term professional growth. Make it personal.

Cookie cutter bonuses and incentives can be helpful, but they only go so far.

Align staff incentives with your business goals. This gets everyone on the same page and your business ends up running with the fluency of a Formula 1 pit crew. Well, maybe not quite. But you get the idea.

especially when she was at home during the holidays. Deliverables weren’t meeting deadlines or required standards.

Tough conversations weren’t working.

Turns out she finds it hard if she’s not encouraged. Once he said things like,

“Thanks for your work on that project—I couldn’t have done it without you”, there was a huge change. She was diligent again and a lot easier to work with.

So what drove this change? Not a lot, actually. Just her boss made her feel

Need some help to get your team performing at the highest level? Book a free strategy chat with me here: https://nextleveltradie.co.nz/nextstep/

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Business smarts TAX AND FINANCE

CHAOS VERSUS ORDER Business is a tug between forces of chaos and order. In today’s uncertain environment, it helps to focus on the things we can control within our business, as Brett Crombie explains.

AUTHOR: BRETT CROMBIE, STRAIGHT EDGE ACCOUNTING

A

s I write, yet another wave of Covid-19 in the form of Omicron is sweeping through the country and impacting businesses in all the ways we are now familiar with. For the past two years, business owners have become used to the constant uncertainty that the pandemic has caused. They’ve coped with the primary impact of sickness amongst staff, plus the secondary impact of things like reduced turnover, supply shortages and dramatic changes in inflation and interest rates.

This constant shifting of the business environment gives rise to a helpful way of thinking about business as a tug between forces of chaos and forces of order.

All businesses have some things in common. They take resources such as money, assets, skills and work, and join these together towards producing a state of order for clients in the form of a product or service.

Plumbers, for example, combine plumbing skills, experience, specialist tools and work effort to produce orderly plumbing for each client. Put another way, all clients are ‘buying orderliness’ in some aspect of their lives, be it a new bathroom or a cleared stormwater drain.

Along this journey from resources to the final product or service, forces of chaos act to upset and distract the business, while forces of order serve to help the business.

FORCES OF CHAOS Anything that increases uncertainty is a potential source of chaos. These may be external to the business or internally generated.

Examples of external chaos Pandemics Global warfare Supply shortages Economic instability.

Examples of internal chaos Planning blunders Scrappy bookkeeping Inconsistent work effort and quality.

VS FORCES OF ORDER By contrast, businesses also have stabilising forces, which act to repel the chaotic influences. Most forces of order are internally generated by the business owner, rather than imposed on the business from the outside.

Examples of internal order Consistent and high-quality work Written processes and systems Clear communication Attentive bookkeeping Smart use of technology.

Applying these concepts to your business Thinking of your business as a tug of war between these opposing forces can help focus attention on aspects of business that are controllable, yet sometimes neglected.

A focus on strengthening the orderly aspects of your business will inevitably flow through to the final product or service.

For example, businesses with orderly bookkeeping also tend to get their quotes and invoices out promptly, price jobs accurately and maximise tax deductions.

There is also a strong psychological component to having these things in order.

It feels good and generates confidence.

Importantly, the consistency and savings resulting from this bookkeeping orderliness all eventually flow through to producing consistency and quality for clients.

While there will always be many aspects of business that are imposed upon us, it is worthwhile to focus on orderliness in those areas that can be controlled, especially in uncertain business environments like the current one.

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

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Leadership is not about the flash title, it’s about how you act, says health & safety consultant Greg Dearsly, who sets out 6 signs of a true leader.

AUTHOR: GREG DEARSLY, FIRST 4 SAFETY

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Business smarts HEALTH & SAFETY

L

eadership is one of three things that contribute to good health and safety outcomes, alongside risk management and worker engagement.

When we talk or think about leadership, we tend to focus on the people at the top of the hierarchy—those with outstanding or extraordinary skills—but maybe we shouldn’t. Leaders can come from any part of the business and can show leadership skills at any time.

This is explained well in the quote below from Debra Meyerson’s book Tempered Radicals: “Leaders of positive change are not all CEOs of course, nor are they in titled and powerful positions. On the contrary, the most important leadership demonstrated in organisations usually occurs in departments, divisions, and teams and by individuals who take it upon themselves to enter a temporary state of leadership.”

Walking the talk It is the act of leading that makes you an effective leader, not the leadership role itself.

Below are six action-orientated behaviours that demonstrate true leadership.

1

Leading without authority

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone in your organisation took every opportunity to do good for their colleagues and the business, without asking for anything in return? This is the concept of ‘organisational citizenship’ and is an outcome of good leadership.

The goal of leading without authority is to get others to willingly cooperate and engage, rather than just following directives because you’re the boss.

Leaders can come from any part of the business and can show leadership skills at any time.

2

Influence vs persuasion

There are two dimensions to influencing people in a way that gains their trust and voluntary support: your level of assertiveness – how you communicate your feelings and beliefs to the other person in a non-offensive way your level of cooperativeness – how you attempt to satisfy the needs of the other person.

Organisational growth expert Margaret Considine says: “Influencing is not persuading, which uses argument to convince others. Influencing is about

HOW DO I CONNECT THIS TOGETHER?

Use positive emotions and listen with empathy Understand how you handle conflict Use compassion, forgiveness and gratitude—and focus on team member strengths Ask more questions than you give answers Understand your team values and what makes your organisation unique Dial up your courage… being vulnerable doesn’t mean you’re weak.

gaining the trust of others in order that they will do what you want without actually having to ask. Effectively the aim is to gain voluntary support for your idea.”

3

Mood engineering

Mood engineering is the relationship between our feelings, moods, attitudes and traits. Research has found that mood while working, along with positive and negative emotions, is significantly related to overall job satisfaction.

Mood engineering research tells us that employees’ emotions and moods are affected by their reaction to events within the workplace environment. These moods in turn shape their attitudes, such as their commitment to the job. Leaders therefore have a critical role in setting the emotional tone of their group.

Of course, a leader’s own mood or displays of emotion can be contagious, influencing the performance of the group as a whole.

4

Curiosity

Curiosity, or the art of enquiry, has significant business benefits. By leveraging curiosity, you can expect to see the following: Better decision making because you are better informed More respectful, trusting and collaborative working relationships More innovation and less conflict.

A good, curious leader will be aware of and comfortable with their own ignorance.

They are humble enough to acknowledge their lack of knowledge and confident enough to admit it in front of others.

5

Understanding your people

6

Vulnerability

This is not about what you value in yourself. It’s about what service you provide as a team that is valued by your clients. What makes your team unique?

Enhance your cultural intelligence— your ability to be effective when working across different cultures. Consider how your cultural identities influence your work life. You can’t start down the path of becoming culturally intelligent without first understanding your own culture and creating an inclusive workplace.

Vulnerability is your superpower. It’s not necessarily about sharing everything— it’s about listening and empathy. It’s about showing you can share and connect with other people. My own research has found that while leaders may say to their workforce, “This is a safe space to share your concerns and worries; it’s OK to be vulnerable”, very often those leaders don’t lead by example—mainly because they have a mindset that they are the person in charge who must show strength and control at all times.

About the author: Greg Dearsly owns First 4 Safety Ltd, a generalist health and safety consultancy. He has been involved in the provision of occupational safety and health advice and assistance for 20 years. Greg holds a Masters in Advanced Leadership Practices, a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health, and the National Certificate in Adult Education. His work has involved supporting industries in their H&S development. He encourages organisations and their senior people to show good H&S leadership, conduct effective risk management and ensure their workforces are able to contribute. Greg is a Professional member of the NZ Institute of Safety Management (NZISM) and was NZISM President from 2016-2020. He represents NZISM as President Elect on the Board of Directors of the International Network of Health and Safety Practitioner Organisations (INSHPO) and will be INSHPO President in 2022.

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Business smarts YOUR PEOPLE, YOUR WELLBEING

MINIMUM WAGE RISE

Master Plumbers HR Manager Lisa Duston sets out what employers need to know about the recent minimum wage increases.

The minimum wage increased by 6% on 1 April, which means the minimum hourly rate goes from $20 to $21.20. The startingout wage and training minimum wages also increased from $16 per hour to $16.96 per hour from 1 April.

The minimum rates apply to all employees who work full-time, part-time or casually. It also applies if they are paid a salary, or on a commission basis. Employees paid on salary or commission must be equal to or higher than the minimum wage for each hour worked.

There is no legal minimum rate for employees aged 15 years or younger, but you need to pay the adult minimum wage to all employees aged 16 and over unless they are eligible for the ‘starting-out’ wage or the ‘training’ wage.

Whenever there is a change to an employee’s terms and conditions of their employment agreement (eg, a wage rate), employers need to advise the employee of the change and record it in writing.

For this, we recommend issuing a variation

KEREAMA CARMODY Master Plumbers Wellbeing Guy

Sadly, some legends of sport have passed away in recent times: Warney, Inga the winger and Joeli Vidiri—all gone way before

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Minimum Wage for:

Description

Minimum rate until 31 March 2022

Children

Aged 15 years or under.

No minimum No minimum applies applies

Startingout Wage

• 16 and 17-year-olds, first six months with a new $16.00 employer, not training or supervising others.

New Minimum rate from 1 April 2022

$16.96

• 16 to 19-year-olds on an employment agreement specifying the requirement of an industry training programme involving at least 40 credits a year, not training or supervising others.

• 18 and 19-year-olds, previously on a benefit for six months or more, not yet completed six months’ continuous employment with any employer, not training or supervising others.

Applies to employees aged 20 years or over whose employment agreement states that they have to do at least 60 credits a year of an industry training programme to become qualified in the area they are working in. Many of these employees will be apprentices.

$16.00

$16.96

All other employees, including 16 and All other employees 17-year-olds after six months of employment with the same employer.

$20.00

$21.20

Training Wage

of employment for your employee to sign.

After signing, keep one copy for your records, and give the other to your employee. If you have adult employees earning less than minimum wage, you are legally required to pay the minimum wage.

Master Plumbers have a variation template for members’ use in the member area of the website at www.masterplumbers.org.nz

their time. Research suggests that genetic factors and lifestyle choices can both play a part when we hit our late forties and early fifties. This is why, from age 45+, booking in those annual ‘Warrant of Fitness’ checks with your GP are so important.

As good Kiwi tradies, we often won’t reach out and connect when we’re struggling mentally. This is just as important when we have physical health struggles. Your next weekend away with your mates, find some time over a cold one to steer the conversation towards encouraging everyone to think about when they last had a check-up.

Hopefully by the time you’re reading this, we’ll be coming through to the other side of this Omicron situation. The last couple of years of lockdowns and restrictions has got some of us into the habit of just staying in and not socialising as much.

It will be important to focus on reconnecting with family and friends, which is

Lisa Duston from the Master Plumbers HR team is available to Master Plumbers members to discuss any employee situation. Contact Lisa on 021 245 1704 or email lduston@masterplumbers.org.nz

so good for mental health. Remember, team, if you need advice or just a yarn to check in, feel free to reach out on the 0800 number.

Try this podcast out in regard to stress: Huberman Lab, Master Stress: Tools for Managing Stress & Anxiety – 8 March 2021.

About the author: Need to talk?

Master Plumbers members and their teams can get in touch with registered social worker Kereama Carmody on the 0800 Wellbeing Number during normal business hours. Details in the member log-in at www.masterplumbers.org.nz (under Human Resources).

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Business smarts EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVES

There’s good reason why businesses should have a tradesperson tools policy, as Sam Tyson explains.

A

while back, one of our tradespeople came to me saying his power drill had broken and to fix it was going to be $1,000, but to replace it would be $1,400, so I should replace it rather than get it fixed.

I said, “Hang on a minute… Me replace it? It’s your tool; why should I replace it?”

He said, “Because it broke while I was using it on a job, and I won’t be able to work without it.”

At the time, we had no clear tradesperson tools policy and it became a standoff situation. I did not feel I should have to pay when the tradesperson was receiving a tool allowance. He felt, because it broke at work and it had worn out because of all the use it got at work, I was responsible for replacing it or at least getting it fixed.

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In our industry it is common practice for tradespeople to provide all or some of their tools of trade. Ideally, these tools should be sufficient to carry out the function of their trade. Good practice would be to have a list in their agreement outlining exactly what tools the employee is required to provide.

If the tradesperson is providing tools, my responsibility as the employer is to pay the tradesperson a tool allowance in return. The amount is negotiated in the employment agreement and is dependent on what level of tools they are providing—all or some.

It is the tradesperson’s responsibility to maintain and keep the tools they provide in a good, safe condition—replacing or fixing unsafe or broken tools as soon as possible.

As I found out, it is really important you have

the responsibilities of both the employer and the employee outlined in a tradesperson tool policy, so there is no argument.

As an employer, I also need to ensure the tools the tradesperson provides are safe to use and comply with current safety standards. If a safety incident were to occur due to an unsafe tool, as a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking), I would ultimately be responsible, even though the tool was owned by the employee.

We have a guy who comes in every six months to test and tag all companyand employee-owned power tools and equipment, but as a safeguard you also need to be regularly inspecting the other tools and equipment employees provide, and making

sure the employee is trained in the correct use and the right tool for the job as well.

If a tool does need replacing or upgrading, you could offer your tradesperson a tool account, where they can purchase a tool through one of your suppliers or trade merchants. You pay the supplier, and then bill your employee passing on the cost, giving them the option of paying it off in weekly instalments.

Your tools policy needs to outline at what point they need to seek approval to purchase. Ours is set at $200 and considers what unpaid tool account invoices they have outstanding at the time. Then there is the total amount you are prepared to go to and how much they must pay each week—they need to be able to afford to pay you back in a reasonable timeframe without hardship.

Plus, there is always the risk that if, for whatever reason, they leave, they might not be able to pay you the balance owing on exit.

In your tradesperson tools policy, you should include how you stand on replacing tool consumables. What we have written in ours is, we will replace tool consumables that are used in the course of work, such as drill bits and blades, as long as we consider the level of replacement to be reasonable.

2041_PNT_21_Master Plumber Ad_F2.indd 1

“It is the tradesperson’s responsibility to maintain and keep the tools they provide in a good, safe condition” If, in our opinion, the replacement of such tool consumables is or becomes excessive, we will discuss with the tradesperson what is considered reasonable and agree.

You may need to include who pays for insurance. Our insurance covers the tradesperson’s tools located in our company vehicle, should the vehicle or equipment from the vehicle be stolen, or should a vehicle accident occur and the tradesperson’s tools are damaged.

It depends on the value of the tool, but what if their power drill was accidentally damaged on a work site, or at home on the weekend? Whose insurance kicks in: their personal insurance or yours?

The great thing about policies is everyone knows where they stand should a situation arise. In my situation, if I had had a tool policy in place, it would have avoided feelings of inequity creeping in. Policies make it fair and ensure every employee is treated the same.

Sam Tyson is working with Master Plumbers HR Manager Lisa Duston to develop a generic Tradesperson Tools Policy, exclusive for members of Master Plumbers. Members will be advised when this is available for use.

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

20/01/22 1:59 PM

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Career starters For the very first time, a woman has won Plumbing World’s Young Plumber of the Year competition. NZ Plumber talked to Veronika Kreitner about the event, her thoughts on being a female tradie… and why plumbing is the career choice for her.

W

hen we caught up with Veronika Kreitner, she was working on her favourite challenge… fixing a water leak.

“I love digging holes to find them,” says Veronika, who works alongside boss Craig Guy at Guy Plumbing & Gas in Wanaka.

Originally from Germany, she left home at 18 to go travelling in New Zealand and fell in love with Wanaka for its stunning scenery and plentiful opportunities for mountain biking, hiking and skiing.

Now 28 and in the fourth year of her plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting apprenticeship, Veronika was introduced to her future career through a chance conversation with a friend at the pub, whose partner’s firm were looking for an apprentice.

She always knew her career would be in a trade—it was just a matter of which. “My dad is a landscape gardener, so I grew up around tradies,” she says. “I like getting

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stuck in and getting my hands dirty, and plumbing is awesome because you never do the same thing twice.”

When her first boss retired, she jumped at the chance to complete her apprenticeship at Craig’s business, which specialises in maintenance work and 24/7 emergency services for homes, restaurants and hotels—and she says they are “insanely busy”, despite the impacts of the Covid pandemic.

Being in a team of two, Veronika says she’s been lucky to have on-job training in a wide range of skills, with Craig handing her the van keys virtually on day one to help handle the workload.

Young Plumber of the Year success When the manager at her local Plumbing World branch suggested to Veronika that she enter the 2021 Young Plumber of the Year competition, she thought she might as well go along and find out what it was all about.

Career starters YOUNG PLUMBER OF THE YEAR

Veronika Kreitner, 2021 Young Plumber of the Year winner and fourth-year apprentice at Guy Plumbing & Gas in Wanaka.

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Career starters YOUNG PLUMBER OF THE YEAR

Veronika says she loves getting her hands dirty and getting stuck in.

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She never imagined that she’d make it through to the national final this February as a Wildcard (having placed second at her regional competition)—and it came as a complete shock to hear her name announced as the overall winner.

“The national final was a lot more intense than the regional, starting with a 45-minute written theory test,” she says. “We also had to do a bathroom pipe out and fit out, with vanity, toilet, shower and solar hot water… all within four hours. It was very tight.”

Veronika is the first woman to take home the Young Plumber of the Year title,

Plumbing World CEO Rob Kidd with Veronika Kreitner, the first woman to win the Young Plumber of the Year Competition. The 2021 national final was held this February at Hamilton’s Claudelands Arena, having been delayed due to Covid.

“Veronika’s win is testament to her hard work and dedication to her career in plumbing,” says Kidd.

Attracting new talent The Young Plumber of the Year competition is a chance to recognise the high calibre in today’s plumbing trade and the support of employers and suppliers that keep the wheels turning. It also aims to encourage other young Kiwis to consider a plumbing career.

“New Zealand’s construction sector continues to face a growing shortage of tradespeople that will only increase until apprentices can start filling the gaps,” says Plumbing World General Manager Rob Kidd.

Research suggests that as a country we currently need a 30% increase in qualified plumbers to join the trade to plug the skills shortage. Demand has continued to grow over the past few years, as more Kiwis choose to spend their savings on home renovations rather than on the usual overseas holidays due to Covid.

“As the industry demand continues to expand, there comes an abundance of opportunities and career growth for skilled tradespeople,” says Kidd. “Now more than ever it’s a great time for young Kiwis to consider starting a career in plumbing.”

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Career starters YOUNG PLUMBER OF THE YEAR

Veronika during the fourhour practical stage of the national final. “I had no expectations going into the final,” she says. “It was a lot more intense than the regional event.”

2021 WINNERS

Congratulations to all 10 contestants who represented their regions at the 2021 Young Plumber of the Year National Final in Hamilton in February.

1st – Veronika Kreitner Guy Plumbing & Gas, Southern Region (Wildcard) 2nd – Nick Sillars Straight Flush, Wellington/Marlborough Region 3rd – Sam Sonneveld Green Plumbing & Heating, Auckland Metro Region.

George Wrenn, of Master Plumbers’ member business Plumbers HB, was also awarded MVP (Most Valuable Plumber) at the event.

Nick Sillars, a tradesman at Master Plumbers member business Straight Flush, placed an admirable second at the National Final. “Proud to support Nick at the Young Plumber of the Year competition,” said Ngaire Mansfield, who runs Straight Flush with husband Jeremy. “He has entered four times, and this proves that persistence pays off. I still don’t think he will stop entering—that’s the spirit!”

outperforming nine other competitors aged 31 and under from around New Zealand to win her share of $55,000 worth of prizes.

“I really do credit a lot of what I’ve done throughout this competition to my boss,” she says. “I’ve been taught to be really particular with each job that I do and to always be very organised. This win is testament to the fact that being meticulous with each task really does pay off. Building your skills on the job and then having the opportunity to showcase them in a competition like this is so motivating and also really fun.”

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“So many avenues for growth” Veronika says she’d definitely recommend plumbing to anyone considering a career in the trades—especially other women.

“We can do it just as well as the guys can!” she says. “There are so many avenues for growth and development within this career, which is super worthwhile if you put in the hard work and aim to always be improving your skills.”

There are now heaps of women tradies working in and around Wanaka, says Veronika, and customers are becoming

increasingly used to having a woman plumber arrive at the job. “We may not be able to lift as much as some men, but we can ask for a hand—and that’s the right thing to do for health and safety anyway,” she says.

As far as the future’s concerned, Wanaka is now where Veronika calls home and she is forging ahead with her career, having already completed her plumbing and drainlaying registration exams and preparing to sit her gasfitting exam.

With the 2021 Young Plumber of the Year title to her name, there’s no doubt she’ll go far.

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Career starters SKILLS COLUMN

Under the transition plan, around 57% of Skills’ learners will transition to Te Pūkenga subsidiary Work Based Learning Limited (WBL). The rest will be split across six different PTEs: Industry Connection for Excellence (ICE) Vertical Horizonz (VHNZ) Electrical Training Company (Etco) Strategi Institute St John Ignite Colleges.

Introducing the new PGD Level 4 programmes, plus an update on the Skills transition.

Welcoming better digital integration The Covid pandemic has proven beyond a doubt that it’s important for PGD trainees to access a programme that’s less reliant on in-person block course delivery. With the new PGD Level 4 programmes, endorsed by industry, Skills is now able to meet that need with better digital integration.

PGD Level 4 has been designed to better fit industry needs and will provide trainees with the opportunity to progress faster by completing the online theory at their own pace.

The programmes are available now for all new apprentices. If you have any questions or want to know more, please call 0508 SKILLS or touch base with your Skills account manager.

The new PGD Level 4 programmes enable trainees to complete theory learning online.

This trainee is using a virtual reality headset available for learners at ICE, the newly NZQAregistered Private Training Establishment (PTE) located in Auckland and Wellington.

Skills ITO transition plan gains approval The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has formally approved Skills’ transition plan to transfer its arranging training functions, learners and employees across to Te Pūkenga and six different Private Training Establishments (PTEs).

Skills is the eighth transitional ITO to have its plan approved under the Government’s Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE ). With seven receiving organisations and three transition dates (1 July, 1 September and 1 October 2022), Skills’ transition plan was described by TEC as the most complex by far.

Currently Skills manages programmes leading to 100 qualifications across 22 industries for 11,800 apprentices, 6,200 trainees and 5,000 employers. It employs over 300 staff across the country and supports a wide range of industries across electrical, plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying, scaffolding, roofing and cranes.

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Chief Executive Garry Fissenden says Skills has been grateful to have the support of its industries and employers behind its transition plan, describing it as a complex but highly satisfying project. “We’re proud of getting this transition plan approved, and of TEC’s endorsement that this is a good way forward. We’ve now passed another hurdle and we’re all go for the future.”

The relevant receiving organisations for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying (PGD) are ICE and Te Pūkenga.

ICE is a PTE newly registered with NZQA, with five years’ experience in delivering innovative and high-quality training to PGD apprentices. It was established in 2016 as a collaboration between industry stakeholders, The Skills Organisation, and Auckland polytechnics.

ICE stands out because of its industry connection, offering relevant, up-to-date tutors and content; and its innovative and flexible delivery. It’s located in Auckland and Wellington with plans to expand.

Branch Manager – Putāruru Ridgid K-1500B drainage cleaning machine for sale

Our Branch Manager - Putāruru is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the branch.

This means looking after our staff and our customers, while ensuring the branch is financially successful too.

The current Branch Manager and our Regional Manager are both available to mentor and develop a senior plumber wanting to progress their career to the next level, but if you are experienced and ready to go now, we’d love to hear from you too.

In like-new condition. Has not done a lot of work. It comes with 2 x sets of 20m of spring and steel carriers, 40m in total. It also includes the original manual, glove and attachments. I bought this machine new.

Pick up is Manukau Auckland. $4,400.00.

Mike Gillard – 027 601 6224

To apply head to our website www.foleys.co.nz or for a confidential discussion call our Regional Manager, Wayne on 021 992 937.

The cost to place a classified advertisement is $120+GST for Master Plumbers members; $200+GST for non-members.

Email advertising@masterplumbers.org.nz

WE HAVE OUR WINNER! 1ST PLACE - VERONIKA KREITNER, GUY PLUMBING & GAS, WANAKA.

2ND PLACE - NICK SILLARS Straight Flush Plumbing Ltd, Wellington.

3RD PLACE - SAM SONNEVELD Green Plumbing & Heating Ltd, Auckland.

MOST VALUABLE PLUMBER - GEORGE WRENN Plumbers HB, Hawkes Bay. T HANK S TO O UR SP ONSORS

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And finally... DODGY PLUMBING, GAS & DRAINAGE

Naughty stool “Was under a house while renovating a bathroom when I found the original waste for the toilet, which was held in place with just an old wooden stool,” says Zack Stalker.

Drinking from the toilet?!

“The restaurant asked why we were capping it off,” says Soren Ebbett of Peter Jackson Plumbing. “Our plumber said, ‘Because otherwise you will have toilet water in your drinking water.’”

This edition’s dodgy assortment is enough to make you cry (and laugh).

Mixing it up Thanks to Marty Fairbairn for sending this photo in. “Who needs a mixer?” he says.

Home and hosed “Was at this job for a leaking water main,” says Sam Hieatt. “Customer didn’t want me to replace the tap and it’s a rental house.

Not sure whether I was impressed or disappointed.” nzplumber

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And finally... DODGY PLUMBING, GAS & DRAINAGE

Shrinking standards “The 100mm w/c connections that reduce to 80mm make me smile, “ says Craig Tremeer, who sent in this photo. “This one uses a bush rather than an invert.”

Friday night special Another gem sent in by Craig Tremeer. “This guy used PTFE tape on one of the croxes that was leaking like a sieve. Hemp on everything else. It lasted 10 years then blew out on a Friday night. Just love having to deal with a CWE screwed straight into the cylinder.”

Creative plumbing “Found this vented trap upside down on open vented 10 metre long 40mm PVC waste that was totally full of fat,” says Martin O’Donaghue. “Interestingly, the diaphragm hardly leaked at all even though it was under constant load. Good old Dux traps.”

As a plumbing and drainlaying trainer, Martin says what particularly interested him here is that whoever was let loose on this kitchen waste had the foresight to use the old male and female connector onto the basket waste. “This is good, although they cost more than the trap itself,” he says.

Let’s stick together Geoff Aburn from Adams Plumbing in Dunedin sent in these three photos for our Dodgy Plumbing pages. “This is what happens when sparkies try to plumb… waste pipe siliconed together.”

Send your dodgy photos to the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz. The bigger the file, the larger we can show it on the page.

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Reduce the risk of using the old, out-dated multiple joint method to connect the mains water supply to a building and replace it with ONE solid, simple and secure PB Mains Fitting.

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