NZ Plumber February-March 2022

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF

WORLD PLUMBING DAY – 11 MARCH

F E B R U A R Y– MARCH 2022

Be in to win $$$ prizes!

PAGE 53

How you can minimise the impact on your business PAGE 14

HOT TOPIC

Trends and tips for hot water systems PAGE 37

DRINKING WATER FUTURES

New drinking-water standards for NZ PAGE 22

RATE YOUR BUSINESS

Business benchmark tool for specialist trades

PAGE 26

REASON #11

Supporting Tradies now & in the future There are plenty of reasons why Kiwi tradies trust Plumbing World to have their back.

So here are a few of the things we’re doing behind the scenes to support our mates in the trade.

Keeping business moving.

With the pandemic disrupting global supply chains, thereʼs an urgent need to keep Kiwi businesses functioning. We’ve been working alongside other industry bodies advocating on your behalf to MBIE and the Government. We’re also working closely with our own suppliers to keep you updated on stock levels.

Keeping the flame alive.

We’re dedicated to cutting carbon emissions and understanding what the industry is already doing to move away from fossil fuels and meet the zero carbon future of gas energy. We’re working to ensure kiwis are well informed and confident about the future of gas in NZ’s energy mix.

Supporting equality.

Itʼs great to see more women making their mark on the industry and we want to make sure that everyone continues to enjoy the same opportunities.

plumbingworld.co.nz/30reasons

Plumbing World is a supporter of NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) and the Women in Trades Expo series. Equality starts at home, so weʼre focussed on providing a supportive and inclusive culture for our own team members.

Championing the next generation.

We want to ensure that apprenticeships remain an attractive option for school leavers, so weʼre proud to support the Masterlink and ATT apprenticeship schemes. We’re also proud of our Young Plumbers Club and Young Plumber of the Year initiatives, which helps to future proof our industry, add support and celebrate excellence.

We’re your Team in Black In good times and bad, you can count on the Plumbing World team to have your back. Like you, weʼre looking forward to a better year ahead, so letʼs work together to keep our workplaces safe, inclusive and open.

A few words EDITOR

Volume 74, Number 1 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 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.

Safe to drink?

Welcome to 2022, a year that will see change for New Zealand’s drinking-water standards.

You would hope that every person in New Zealand would have access to safe drinking water direct from their kitchen tap. But it’s not so—and I speak from personal experience. There’s a permanent boil water notice on the supply that feeds my home and others in our small, rural community.

The latest email I received from our district council told us E. Coli had been detected in the distribution network, so it was more important than ever to ensure we boiled our water for drinking and other purposes, such as food preparation and teeth brushing.

A note at the end of the email said “nearly all household filters provide no protection against bacterial contamination. If you have an under the sink carbon filter or cartridge filter, you still need to boil your water.”

So, I was glad to hear that new Drinking-Water Standards and Quality Assurance Rules for New Zealand are out for feedback now and will apply to all water suppliers, no matter what size.

NZ Plumber talked with independent water quality specialist Dr Heather Uwins-England, about the new Standards for our feature article starting on page 22.

Heather helped develop the new drinking-water safety framework for registered water suppliers following the Havelock North campylobacter outbreak

in 2016, and was also called on by the Ministry of Health when Waikouaiti residents were told to stop drinking their tap water after elevated levels of lead were detected in the local water supply.

I recommend a read of what Heather has to say about the new standards and rules, and whether or not she thinks they take the right approach. One thing’s for sure— the fact that the draft makes no mention of reducing the allowable lead limits in drinking water is deeply disappointing.

Beverly Sellers Editor, NZ Plumber, bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz PS: We’re all doing it tough again as Omicron spreads across New Zealand (see our feature article on p14). Staying upbeat can feel hard at times like this, but it helps get through. We’d love to receive your good news stories and photos for the magazine—top-quality work done by your team, things you’ve done to help your local community, or just the biggest fish you caught at the weekend. Send them to the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz

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

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

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F E B R U A R Y- M A R C H 2 0 2 2

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Scaling up This project demonstrates the increasing use of largescale secondary wastewater treatment systems around NZ

TECHNICAL THEME:

HOT WATER SYSTEMS

14 9 WHAT’S UP

9

Ready to eInvoice?

New way to do business

10 12 13 04

14 FEATURES

14

We Good news stories

Calendar Activities, training and events

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Rate your business What you need to know about the new BizRate tool, funded by the Construction Sector Accord for specialist trades businesses

ON THE COVER

Omicron surge: Business continuity Advice on steering through choppy waters ahead

Updates Latest happenings in the industry

26

Shake-up for NZ’s drinking water New Drinking-Water Standards for NZ are out for feedback—are they up to the job?

ON THE TOOLS

28

28

Keep up with the Code Discover Building Code changes in the latest annual update

37

UV hot water disinfection

38

Domestic water heating futures

Why low temperature hot water systems require extra protection

How NZ’s climate change approach will affect the way we heat water in our homes

40

Hot water thermal efficiency Advice from the PGDB on meeting Code requirements

42

45

Hastings LPCU failures Why are so many low pressure copper water heaters failing in Hastings?

Products New products for our sector

MASTER PLUMBERS

47 48

47

Member benefit The power of the brand

Bulletin Member survey results, conference bookings, new vehicle partnership... plus some epic Milwaukee prize packs

BUSINESS SMARTS

61

61

What’s your plan?

64

Bullying must stop

64

How a business plan will help you navigate 2022

Workplace bullying is mentally damaging... and ruinous for business reputations

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73

Always driven to achieve more?

Sometimes it’s OK to be just as you are

76

Keeping it real How homegrown videos helped plumbing tutor Olaf Sparrow keep students engaged through lockdowns

81

AND FINALLY...

81

10 minutes with...

Plumbing business owner and muscle car fan Stu McIvor

84

Dodgy Plumbing More woeful work from people who should have stayed well away...

Collaborating for change It will take everyone working together to improve vocational education, says WDC CEO Philip Aldridge

Life on track Why becoming a plumbing apprentice has helped Matt Bird turn his life around

Growing their own Why apprentice training is a core philosophy at CF Reese Plumbing

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF

Platinum Partnership profile Marley is proud to be part of Meridian Energy’s Certified Renewable Energy programme

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70

OK as you are

54

54

CAREER STARTERS

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Masterlink Messageboard How Masterlink is celebrating its 20th anniversary

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.

WORLD PLUMBING DAY – 11 MARCH

F E B R U A R Y– MARCH 2022

Be in to win $$$ prizes!

PAGE 53

66

66 67 69

Best year ever How we personally can determine the quality of our year ahead

I need help...

Now! What today’s realtime, instant society means for plumbing businesses

Real risks in a virtual world Cyber cover: the final part in our series on the strings you need for your insurance safety parachute

How you can minimise the impact on your business PAGE 14

HOT TOPIC

Trends and tips for hot water systems PAGE 37

DRINKING WATER FUTURES

New drinking-water standards for NZ PAGE 22

RATE YOUR BUSINESS

Business benchmark tool for specialist trades

PAGE 26

COVER STORY With Omicron cases set to peak between mid-March and mid-May, our feature article looks at ways plumbing businesses can keep running as smoothly as possible with the least possible financial impact. This includes the use of rapid antigen tests for quick COVID-19 testing of close contacts at critical service businesses, and taking advantage of financial support available for workers who may need to stay at home and isolate while waiting for test results, or having tested positive.

Turn to page 14 to read the full story.

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Report CEO

CEO’S REPORT

Master Plumbers has had a strong start to 2022.

This is a significant step and we have been working Following on from our work last year, we are extremely with our colleagues in Australia to ensure that the pleased that MBIE has decided to join with us in funding Australian and New Zealand Standards remain joint and a self-verification pilot for plumbers and drainlayers. that trans Tasman plumbing products have the same In simple terms, this will mean that members who protections for the consumer. complete the required training will be able to digitally As we have stated many times, lead has been removed verify their consented work without the need for a from petrol and paint. It’s now time to remove it from physical inspection by a council representative. plumbing products that come into contact with drinking As you know, we’ve been working on this project for a water. The plumbing market worldwide is moving in few years now. The reason it has been a key priority for this direction and it has been a long battle here in New Master Plumbers is to speed up the efficiency of required Zealand—including testing, evidence gathering and consenting and inspections in order to progress projects. detailed analysis by Master Plumbers—but we are very We are encouraged by the start pleased the consultation has started we have made with Hamilton, and we are looking forward to a Tauranga and Christchurch City positive outcome for our industry.

Councils, who have all engaged well There are three other pressing issues Members who complete in the process and understand that for Master Plumbers in the year ahead. the required training will modern technology can be used We will be looking at ways to address be able to digitally verify to provide virtual inspections and this industry’s labour shortfall and their consented work speed up building consenting. We supply chain restraints, and at how without the need for a hope to use our learnings from the we can increase the capacity of block physical inspection by a pilot to expand the programme to all courses and off-job training to meet the council representative. councils across the country. needs of apprentices. We know there An online self-verification system is a lot of work to be done to achieve would not only make inspections results in all these areas, but we will be and consenting more efficient, but making these a key priority in 2022. it would also provide a permanent In the meantime, we are deep into digital record of work completed. This helps both planning for our annual Master Plumbers conference consumers and tradespeople when undertaking future on 15-17 June and we have a strong line-up of speakers, projects at these sites. sessions and social activities. It has been a while since We are also pleased to announce that MBIE is going we’ve had face-to-face contact with members due to ahead with the review of plumbing standards relating Covid, and we look forward to catching up in person with to lead in drinking water. Consultation is open on all our conference attendees. If you haven’t registered yet, proposals for change to AS/NZS 3718:2005 Water please do come along—we’d love to see you in Rotorua. supply – Tapware, which include halving the allowable limit of lead content in tapware sold in New Zealand— Greg Wallace, CEO effectively requiring products to be ‘lead free’.

Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ

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nzplumber

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 On most small business accounting software packages, updating to eInvoicing is free.

What’s up

READY TO

eINVOICE? Find out about eInvoicing, a new way of invoicing for businesses of any size.

eInvoicing is being rolled out by the Government. It’s not turning an invoice into a PDF – which most cloud software does. Instead, it’s the digital exchange of invoice information between any two finance systems.

With no human handling or data entry required, it can reduce admin, errors and delays – and help speed up processing and

payment, to improve business cashflow.

Enabling eInvoicing through your software may be a few simple steps and for most businesses is free or low cost.

So far, over 3,500 businesses have registered for eInvoicing.

To get started, go to www.einvoicing.govt.nz

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LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FOR OUR INDUSTRY.

Changes coming for freedom campers A new freedom camping certification scheme for New Zealand will be administered by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.

Freedom campers will have to be in a certified self-contained vehicle to stay overnight on land managed by local councils under new legislation being introduced to Parliament in 2022.

Vehicles will be required to have a fixed toilet to be certified as self-contained under the new certification system, which will be overseen by agents authorised by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB).

Those caught breaking the rules will face fines of up to $1,000—a hefty increase on the current $200.

The new rules can be extended to cover land managed by Waka Kotahi—NZTA and Toitū Te Whenua—Land Information NZ.

Freedom campers in vehicles that aren’t self-contained will still be able to stay on DoC land, unless prohibited at the site, as well as at commercial hostels and campgrounds that allow travellers in any type of vehicle.

“Feedback from communities and councils made it clear some freedom campers remain a problem,” said Tourism Minister Stuart Nash on announcing the new rules. “Issues include uncertified vehicles parking outside designated areas, including on private driveways and front lawns, littering, and disposal of human waste.”

Find more information at www.mbie.govt.nz/freedomcampingchanges

STRONG CONSTRUCTION PIPELINE FORECAST

National Construction Pipeline Report 2021

Residential construction will continue to be the main driver for construction activity growth through to 2023, according to MBIE’s latest National Construction Pipeline Report. Whilst New Zealand’s total construction value decreased by 5.7% in 2020 to $42.6b, it is expected to grow steadily to about $48.3b in 2024, according to the report.

Other key forecasts include: 265,000 new dwellings are expected to be consented over the next six years (an average of over 44,000 a year) Non-residential activity is expected to reach $10.2b in 2025, rising to $10.3b in 2026 Infrastructure activity is expected to reach $11.2b in 2026, dominated by transport, water and subdivision projects.

The Construction Sector Accord says these strong forecasts, despite Covid-19 disruptions, show the construction sector must prepare for a different future.

“As a sector we need to get ahead of the game,” said Accord Transformation Director Dean Kimpton.

“We need to invest in our people and cast a wider, more diverse net on recruiting. We need to up our game on innovation. We need to accept that climate change also means a change in how we build. At the Accord we think this strong pipeline should give the sector confidence about the changes that are needed.

The work is there. The investment will be worth it.”

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nzplumber

A Forecast of Building and Construction Activity

9th Edition

BP 7208

Construction activity has held up well against Covid-19 and is expected to continue in the same vein, according to the latest National Construction Pipeline Report—although it acknowledges the ramifications of the pandemic are likely to be felt for several years.

Read the National Construction Pipeline Report 2021 in full at www.mbie.govt.nz/dmsdocument/18150national-construction-pipeline-report-2021

What’s up INDUSTRY NEWS

INFRASTRUCTURE: VALUE FOR SPEND?

DID YOU KNOW? The building and construction sector employed 275,600 people in the year ended June 2021.

The number of residential building consents reached record highs between July 2020 and June 2021, with multi-unit homes the main driver. During this period, 44,299 building consents were issued for new dwellings, breaking the previous 1974 record of 40,025.

New Zealand spends about the same as other wealthy countries on infrastructure, but we don’t do so well when it comes to the value we get. Our building infrastructure ‘efficiency rating’ is in the bottom 10%, according to new infrastructure efficiency research from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga.

“The costs to consent and build infrastructure are rising,” says the Commission’s Director of Economics Peter Nunns. “We’ve recently published other research showing that consenting costs for infrastructure projects are increasing, and availability of key materials like aggregates is increasingly constrained. This makes it difficult to deliver infrastructure efficiently.

“We need to address these types of systemic issues to get good value from infrastructure investment.”

Since 2012, the value of residential building activity has been growing at a greater rate than nonresidential. Residential building work rose 21% in the March 2021 quarter to $4.6 billion, while nonresidential fell 0.6% to $2.1 billion.

The 2020 nationwide Covid-19 lockdown had a clear negative impact on both residential and non-residential building activity.

Dwellings consented per 1000 residents per region (year ending June 2021)

Change of residential dwellings composition between 2011 and 2021 12 8%

2011

10 82%

8

5%

2021

31%

6

RENEWED YOUR LICENCE? Now is the time to renew your PGDB practising licence for the 2022/2023 year, which starts on 1 April.

Following industry consultation, the PGDB has completed its three-year review of fees. For the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025, increased fees are as follows:

6%

4%

55% 9%

4

2

Stand-alone houses Apartments Townhouse, flats, units, and other dwellings Retirement village units

Source: MBIE Building and Construction Sector Trends Annual Report 2021

NEW FEE EFFECTIVE 1 APRIL 2022

INCREASE ON PREVIOUS YEAR

First time registration Registration per class, per trade

$375

$15 (1%)*

Annual practising licence (Journeyman, Tradesman, Certifying)

$90

$10 (4%)

Disciplinary and prosecution levy per licensed person

$285

$15 (2%)

Relicensing 1 licence

$375

$25 (2%)

2 licences

$465

$35 (3%)

3 licences

$555

$45 (3%)

Exemption under supervision

$90

$10 (4%)

Trainee limited certificate

$55

$10 (6%)

Provisional licence, per trade

$90

$10 (4%)

*Percentage increase over the three-year period that the fees are in place.

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What’s up INDUSTRY NEWS

Some good news stories to begin the year on a positive note.

Ian Jackson, Allproof Industries founder, has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the New Years Honours List for services to the plumbing industry and the community. Allproof, which supplies the plumbing and construction market with drainage, insulation and passive fire protection products, was established by Ian in 1987, and the company is still family owned and run. Ian ran Jackson Plumbing in Auckland for 30 years from 1965, and promoted the uptake of the AS/NZS 3500 plumbing and drainage standard throughout New Zealand.

Look out for a full profile of Ian in the next editon.

Dunedin Master Plumbers' member business iPlumb Plumbing and Gas is the overall winner of the Web Genius 2021 Kiwi Business Heroes Awards, held online towards the end of last year. Owner Matt Maley started his business in 2015, having worked as a plumber for his father Craig of Impact Roofing and Plumbing. Matt featured in the April/May 2021 of NZ Plumber for his involvement with Digital Boost, a free, government-funded skills training programme to help small businesses get tech savvy. iPlumb was nominated for holding Digital Boost workshops throughout Otago, in conjunction with MBIE. The Peter Jackson Plumbing team on the Kapiti Coast got creative and hand-crafted 11 toilet roll holders late last year, to be auctioned off online in aid of the Kapiti Food Bank. With names such as the Stink-o-meter, Alien Ablution and Badass Brass, the loo roll holders raised over $3,500 in donations and at auction, with the team’s in-house favourite voted as Love in the Lavatory. “It was amazing to see the bidding wars happen on the Trade Me auctions, and to see people really get involved to raise funds for an amazing cause,” says Office Manager Soren Ebbett.

Ian Jackson (centre) with son Adam and daughter Jacinta in 2020, celebrating their sponsorship of the new Jackson Women in Plumbing Award, in honour of Ian’s wife Maureen.

UK plumber David Campbell has decided to ditch his van in favour of a pushbike for his jobs around Cardiff and beyond. David, 44, says he hopes his switch will open up other people’s imaginations to what they could do to help the environment—but he also cycles for fun and a simpler life. “Having a cargo bike makes going anywhere so much easier. I don't have to worry about parking or the idea of being stuck in traffic for half an hour.” David says people love it, and he’s now known around town as 'the plumber on a pushbike’.

David Campbell’s electric bike cost £6,000 and, from a business point of view, will have paid for itself in two years. Photograph: Wales Online.

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Two of the Peter Jackson Plumbing team’s fund-raising toilet roll holders, including in-house favourite Love in the Lavatory (right), by Brad Mason.

The team raised over $3,500 for the Kapiti Food Bank.

What's up CALENDAR

TRAINING & EVENTS Events and upskilling opportunities in the first half of 2022.*

Skills Business Advisor Programme

BY APPOINTMENT NATIONWIDE

Height Safety Essentials

Confined Space Safety Essentials

ELEARNING

ELEARNING

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

masterplumbers.org.nz/ training

masterplumbers.org.nz/ training

Homestar Practitioner Training ONLINE nzgbc.org.nz

Backflow Prevention 2022 8-10 MAR – CHRISTCHURCH 15-17 MAR – CHRISTCHURCH 12-14 APR – LOWER HUTT 3-5 MAY – HAMILTON 25-27 MAY – TAURANGA

Backflow Prevention Refresher

Debt Collection with Rapid Results

11 MAR – CHRISTCHURCH

13 APR – ONLINE

https://nzetc.wsp.com

https://nzetc.wsp.com

masterplumbers.org.nz/training

2022 New Zealand Plumbing Conference 15-17 JUN – ROTORUA plumbingconference.org.nz

2022 GAS NZ Forum Photograph: Mark Smith

‘Our Low Carbon Pathway’ 27-28 OCT (POTENTIAL NEW DATE) gasnz.org.nz

For all Master Plumbers 2022 course dates and venues, go to www.masterplumbers.org.nz/training *Please be aware that some events may have to be postponed due to COVID-19. Check with the individual organisers. nzplumber

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The Government has ordered 123 million rapid antigen tests through to June. Modelling suggests New Zealand may be using up to nine million RATs a week during the omicron peak—equivalent to testing a quarter of NZ every day.

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nzplumber

Feature OMICRON SURGE

With Omicron cases set to peak between mid-March and mid-May, NZ Plumber looks at ways plumbing businesses can keep running as smoothly as possible.

A

s we went to print in midFebruary, there were 5,656 cases of Omicron in the community, and transmission is shortly expected to become widespread.

The Construction Sector Accord predicts that, at Omicron’s peak between midMarch and mid-May, there will be a 20-22% increase in additional absenteeism for New Zealand’s 50-60,000 construction workers, either ill or isolating. In other words, at its peak, there could be as many as 25,000 workers absent per day.

The construction workforce is 93% vaccinated, but workers will still contract Omicron, albeit with fewer health impacts and lower transmission rates (ie, less time off work and fewer close contacts having to isolate). Aside from absenteeism of field workers, there is likely also to be disruption to material and service supply chains, with these workers also having to take time off.

How the surge may impact your business For a specialist trade business with a team of about five, the chances of contracting Omicron increase if working on larger sites.

Even on small sites, there’s a high chance of workers contracting Omicron at its peak between mid-March and mid-May. For a medium size contractor with 20 or so staff, absenteeism is predicted to increase from the second week of March, peaking at the end of the month. There could be four to five workers off per day for seven weeks, before dropping to normal levels by the end of May. For a large contractor or site of around 500 people, between 80 to 120 people could be off work daily for seven weeks from the second week of March, peaking at the end of March—again dropping to normal levels by the end of May. In all scenarios, product manufacturers and transport operators are likely to be similarly impacted.

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Feature OMICRON SURGE

What can you do right now?

Plan, protect, prevent is the key to business continuity, advises the Construction Sector Accord.

1. Plan Identify key tasks and critical work deliverables between March and June Identify key materials, services and skills to meet these deliverables Can any critical tasks be brought forward or delayed?

Can materials be pre-purchased and stored?

2. Protect Vaccination/boosters Where practical, segregate key skills Put workers into team bubbles to limit close contacts Ensure cashflow is protected: bank and client support Encourage immediate testing for the symptomatic.

3. Prevent Apply the construction protocols Keep worksite visitors low and, where possible, work from home Support workers to ensure they don’t come on site when ill Consider how workers get to site safely.

USEFUL RESOURCES

YOU KNO

W?

DID

www.chasnz.org.nz – COVID-19 Construction Protocols and other resources www.business.govt.nz/covid-19 – COVID-19 business information, including business continuity, testing and returning to work

Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness and boosters are likely to provide greater protection The interval between second vaccination and booster has been shortened to 3 months At all Omicron health response phases, critical workers should wear certified well-fitting medical masks. Master Plumbers recommends N95, KN95 or P2 masks for best protection.

Proof is needed to claim financial support for workers required to self-isolate, so make sure your team is using the NZ COVID Tracer app.

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ABSENTEEISM:

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

If an employee is ordered to isolate at home as a COVID-19 positive case or as a case contact, they should get in touch with their manager or HR manager as soon as possible.

To be able to claim funding from Work and Income, the employer must show proof confirming the employee’s isolation is required. This can be from: a screenshot of the alert from the employee’s NZ COVID Tracer app the employee’s health professional.

Leave payments

1. If an employee, or their spouse or dependant is a positive COVID-19 case Your employee may apply for sick leave in the usual way. If they don’t have any sick leave owing, they could consider requesting annual leave or taking unpaid leave.

2. If an employee is not sick, but is required to isolate as a contact, and cannot work from home In this situation, the employer may consider offering unpaid leave, annual leave, or special paid leave. Also see the Close Contact Exemption Scheme information over the page.

Current financial assistance

Once an employee provides the employer with evidence of the order directing them to get a COVID-19 test, or to stay home and isolate, the employer can apply to Work and Income for the appropriate funding, as outlined below.

The employee will receive payment if/when Work and Income approve and make the payment to the employer. There may be a delay between the request for funding and the funds being paid by Work and Income, if it approves the request.

COVID-19 SHORT-TERM ABSENCE PAYMENT

The COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment is available to employers to pay workers who follow public health guidance and stay home while waiting for a COVID-19 test result. To be eligible, workers must be unable to work from home and will have to miss work while waiting for their test results.

HOW MUCH This is a one-off payment of $359 payment for each eligible worker. Employers or the self-employed can apply once for any eligible worker in any 30-day period, unless a health official or doctor tells the worker to get another test.

HOW TO APPLY You can apply at www.workandincome.govt.nz/ covid-19/short-term-absence-payment

COVID-19 LEAVE SUPPORT SCHEME

The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme is available to employers to help pay employees who have been advised to self-isolate because of COVID-19 and can’t work from home. It is also available to eligible self-employed workers.

HOW MUCH $600 per week for full-time workers and $359 per week for part-time workers.

HOW TO APPLY You can apply at www.workandincome.govt.nz/ covid-19/leave-support-scheme Find more information about available financial support for businesses at: www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/financial-support-for-businesses

All your Dux in a row

COMPLETE HOT WATER SOLUTIONS Dux Hot Water has over 100 years of experience manufacturing hot water systems.

Dux boasts a comprehensive range of hot water solutions; electric storage, continuous flow, and even commercial water heating models.

SPK Industries

TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM

The COVID-19 Protection Framework, known as the traffic light system, places a strong focus on vaccination. Go to www.covid19.govt.nz for the key pointers of Life at Red, Orange and Green.

Localised lockdowns can also be used.

The nationwide COVID-19 traffic light settings have replaced alert levels. Everyone over 12 must now show their official COVID-19 vaccination record (My Vaccine Pass) to access places where there is a vaccination requirement in place to operate under the traffic light settings.

The Red setting means action is needed to protect the health system, as it could be overwhelmed by hospitalisations. Action is need to protect at-risk people.

Factors that will determine a shift between Red, Orange and Red in any particular region include: vaccination coverage health system capacity testing, contact tracing and case management capacity community transmission levels.

The Orange setting means there is community transmission, which is putting pressure on the health system—though it can manage. There is increasing risk to at-risk people.

The Green setting means there is COVID-19 across NZ, including sporadic imported cases, but limited community transmission.

Hospitalisations are at a manageable level and the health system is ready to respond.

GENERAL SETTINGS Record keeping/ Face Scanning coverings

Public facilities (eg, libraries, museums)

Retail (inc outdoor markets)

Workplaces

Education

Accommodation (eg, hotels, cabins)

Yes

Flights, public transport, taxis, retail, education (Year 4 and up, including tertiary), public facilities Encouraged elsewhere

Open with capacity limits, based on 1m distancing

Open with capacity limits, based on 1m distancing

Working from home may be appropriate for some staff

Schools and ECE open with public health measures in place. With My Vaccine Pass used, tertiary open onsite with capacity limits, based on 1m distancing. If Vaccine Pass not used, alternative learning options only.

Open

Yes

Flights, public transport, taxis, retail, public facilities Encouraged elsewhere

Open with capacity limits, based on 1m distancing

Open with capacity limits, based on 1m distancing

Open

Open with public health measures in place (schools, ECE, tertiary)

Open

Yes

Flights

Open

Open

Open

Open (schools, ECE, tertiary)

Open

RED

ORANGE

GREEN

This information was accurate at time of going to press. Check latest updates at: https://covid19.govt.nz/assets/COVID-19-Protection-Framework/COVID-19-Protection-Framework-traffic-lights-summary-table.pdf

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Feature OMICRON SURGE

MY VACCINE PASS Vaccination record (My Vaccine Pass) used?

RED

Hospitality (eg, cafés, restaurants, bars)

Gatherings (at home)

Other gatherings (eg, weddings, worship, marae, social sports)

Events (eg, cinemas, concerts, auctions, sporting events)

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

Up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing, seated and separated

Contactless only

Up to 100 people

Up to 25 people

Up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing

Up to 25 people, based on 1m distancing

Not able to operate Up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing, seated and separated for service of food and drink

No limits

Contactless only

No limits

Up to 50 people

No limits

Up to 50 people, based on 1m distancing

No limits

Not able to operate

No limits

Up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing, seated and separated

No limits

Up to 100 people

No limits

Up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing

No limits

Up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing, seated and separated for service of food and drink

ORANGE

GREEN

Vaccination record (My Vaccine Pass) used?

RED

NO

Close proximity businesses (eg, hairdressers, beauty salons)

Gyms

Outdoor community gatherings with uncontrolled access (eg, public parade, community fair)

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO

Public health requirements in place

Not able to operate

Up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing

Not able to operate

Up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing

Up to 25 people, based on 1m distancing

No limits

Not able to operate

No limits

Not able to operate

No limits

Up to 50 people, based on 1m distancing

No limits

Face coverings for staff, 1m distancing between customers

No limits

Up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing

No limits

Up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing

ORANGE

GREEN

This information was accurate at time of going to press. Check latest updates at: https://covid19.govt.nz/assets/COVID-19-Protection-Framework/COVID-19-Protection-Framework-traffic-lights-summary-table.pdf Localised protections and lockdowns can be used as part of the public health response, in addition to other measures, where necessary to protect affected communities. You cannot be asked to provide your My Vaccine Pass to access basic needs services, including supermarkets, dairies, petrol stations, public transport, pharmacies and essential health care.

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Feature OMICRON SURGE

3-PHASE OMICRON PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE At the Red traffic light setting, all businesses can have staff onsite, provided those staff and the business meet the operating guidelines for their sector at Red (see the construction industry protocols at www.chasnz.org/covid19).

However, staff must isolate if they have COVID-19, show COVID-19 symptoms or are a close contact of a case.

At the end of January, the Government announced a 3-phase plan to managing Omicron, with different approaches to testing and isolation in each phase.

PHASE 1 – keep cases as low as possible while people get boosted and children vaccinated

Testing: Anyone with symptoms should isolate and get PCR test at community testing station or public health provider.

Isolation: Cases must isolate for 14 days; close contacts must isolate for 10 days with tests at days 5 and 8 (or immediately if symptomatic).

PHASE 2 – slow the spread

Testing: Anyone with symptoms must isolate and get tested.

Isolation: Cases must isolate for 10 days; close contacts must isolate for 7 days with a test on day 5. If a close contact is vaccinated and asymptomatic, they may be able to continue to work through the Close Contact Exemption Scheme if they work for a critical service (see information on this page).

PHASE 3 – cases in the thousands

Testing: Anyone with symptoms must isolate and get tested.

Isolation: Cases must isolate for 10 days; close contact must isolate for 7 days and get a test if symptomatic. If a close contact is vaccinated and asymptomatic, they may be able to continue to work through the Close Contact Exemption Scheme if they work for a critical service (see information on this page).

Find more information at www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/close-contact-exemption-scheme www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/ covid-19-response-planning/omicron-community-what-means-you

CLOSE CONTACT EXEMPTION SCHEME Individual plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses can apply to register as a critical service, having selfassessed to see if they meet the criteria.

(Master Plumbers has provided assistance to members with the application process.)

Workers at businesses on the Critical Services Register can access the Close Contact Exemption Scheme during Phases 2 and 3 of the Omicron public health response.

Under this scheme, workers at registered critical services who are vaccinated and asymptomatic close contacts of a COVID-19 case will be able to continue to work, as long as they return a negative Rapid Antigen Test each day/shift they are at work during the isolation period, and follow specific health protocols.

Workers participating in the scheme are able to access a limited number of Rapid Antigen Tests from Government supplies for rapid testing purposes.

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Businesses may also want to purchase their own stocks of RATs to assist with business continuity.

Apply for the Critical Services Register at www.business.govt. nz/covid-19/close-contactexemption-scheme/ Get RAT guidance at www.health.govt. nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19health-advice-public/assessment-andtesting-covid-19/rapid-antigen-testing

POSITIVE CASE AT WORK?

If someone at your workplace tests positive for COVID-19, they must isolate at home for the period required by the specific Omicron health response phase (see left).

Anyone living with the positive case is considered a close contact and will also need to isolate for the time required by the specific Omicron phase.

If the positive case was at work during their infection period, then anyone else who was there during this time (including workers, contractors, visitors and customers) may be considered a contact if they were in the same space as the person. This includes workspaces, shared facilities (such as kitchens and staff rooms) and meeting rooms.

Public health will tell you which days the case was a work during their infectious period, or you can work it out yourself if needed. The infectious period is calculated as two days before symptoms started, or two days before their positive test (if they didn’t have symptoms) until 10 days after this date.

Among other things, the employer of a positive COVID-19 case must identify, assess and inform contacts, in discussion with public health officials. Identified workers, clients or visitors will be classified as ‘close’ or ‘casual’ contacts. This will depend on factors like the size of the space they were in with the positive case, the airflow or ventilation in the space, the length of exposure and mask or other PPE used.

The way New Zealand’s water suppliers assess, test and monitor their drinkingwater supplies is likely to change when new Drinking-Water Standards and Quality Assurance Rules come into effect this July. NZ Plumber talked to independent water quality consultant Dr Heather Uwins-England about what’s happening and why.

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Feature DRINKING-WATER QUALITY

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explains Heather. “Drinking-water safety is not one-size-fits-all. The WHO recommends that all drinking-water suppliers carry out their own risk assessments of potential hazards and hazardous events, ensure risks are managed appropriately and have systems in place to ensure that preventive measures and drinking-water quality management measures are working effectively.”

Not all water providers are finding it easy to develop their own drinking-water safety plans under this framework, with some taking their time to update theirs.

New Water Services Act More change came into play for drinking water regulation on 15 November last year with the passing of the Water Services Act 2021. The Act, says Heather, is a lot more specific about the requirements in drinkingwater safety plans and these now apply to all water suppliers, no matter what size.

New small suppliers under the Act have four years before they must register but, even within this timeframe, Heather

WAIKOUAITI: PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE REVIEW

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However, the report did identify several areas where improvements could be made to the drinkingwater regulatory framework, with 12 recommendations including to:

Ensure drinking-water suppliers assess the risk of lead leaching from their infrastructure as part of their risk assessment process in their water safety plans—and where necessary instigate a monitoring programme and response plan Review requirements for how drinking-water suppliers manage plumbosolvency and raise consumer awareness of lead exposure risks in their homes and the environment Review the current plumbing standards relating to allowable lead levels in imported tapware and fittings.

believes small rural suppliers may struggle to fulfil their water safety obligations.

The passing of the Water Services Act also saw the transfer of the drinking-water regulatory system from the Ministry of Health to the new standalone Crown entity Taumata Arowai, established in March 2021.

Taumata Arowai will oversee the new Three Waters regulatory framework, with the initial focus on drinking water.

Proposed new Drinking-Water Standards Taumata Arowai has developed new Drinking-Water Standards and Quality Assurance Rules for New Zealand, which are currently out for consultation and due to come into effect for all water suppliers on 1 July 2022.

The quality assurance rules take a prescriptive approach to drinking water quality management rather than embracing a risk-management approach, says Heather.

E. Coli and protozoa (known as Priority 1 Determinands) must be monitored in all supplies—with some exceptions for protozoa.

In the Priority 2 Determinand group sit the likes of lead, arsenic, fluoride, copper and nitrate. The monitoring requirements for this group differ for each provider, depending on the size of the supply and the source of the drinking water.

“Under the current Standards, water suppliers must carry out an annual test to see if any of these Priority 2

YOU KNO

W?

Heather Uwins-England was called on by the Ministry of Health in early 2021 when Dunedin City Council testing of its drinking-water supplies to three East Otago towns showed alarming lead level spikes.

Heather says she was not surprised to learn about this latest water contamination event, and suspects that other similar issues are probably going unnoticed around New Zealand, given our ageing water infrastructure.

The task she and Dr Jill McKenzie were given was to complete a rapid review of the Waikouaiti public health response—how quickly and effectively Wai-Comply (the contracted drinkingwater assessors), Public Health South, and the Ministry of Health had reacted to and managed the situation. In the resulting report, the co-authors found the response to be ‘timely and appropriate’.

The regulator has developed new DrinkingWater Standards and Quality Assurance Rules for New Zealand, which are currently out for consultation.

DID

W

hen roughly a third of Havelock North residents fell ill after drinking contaminated water in 2016, with 58 hospitalised and four fatalities, it was clear that something major had to be done about the state of New Zealand’s drinking-water supplies.

Environmental microbiologist and water quality specialist Dr Heather UwinsEngland was among the advisors called on by the Ministry of Health to support the implementation of recommendations from the Havelock North Inquiry and improve the regulatory regime.

Heather helped develop a brand-new drinking-water safety plan framework for registered water suppliers, which was published in December 2018. “The new framework meets World Health Organization [WHO] guidelines and brings New Zealand into alignment with the rest of the world,” she says.

It takes a strong risk management approach rather than being prescriptive,

Drinking-water suppliers are responsible for water quality up to the toby. Changes to household water infrastructure are the responsibility of the property owner.

Feature DRINKING-WATER QUALITY

LEAD IN DRINKING WATER: AT A GLANCE

Dr Heather Uwins-England is an independent consultant specialising in safe drinking water, water quality, water policy, regulation and compliance.

She has lived in New Zealand for the past eight years. Previous to this, she was Director of Water Supply Regulation for Queensland, Australia.

The proposed new Drinking-Water Standards and Quality Assurance Rules are currently out for public consultation, with the new Standards to come into effect on 1 July 2022.

The draft standards do not include halving the amount of allowable lead in drinking water from 10 micrograms (0.01 milligrams) per litre to 5 micrograms (0.005 milligrams) per litre, despite recommendations from the Ministry of Health.

Drinking-water product standard AS/NZS 4020:2018, which aligns with the 10 microgram limit in the Drinking-Water Standards requirements, is to be reviewed by MBIE. Water testing by Master Plumbers has shown that taps can readily be bought online in New Zealand that leach lead way over the current 10 microgram limit.

Tapware standard AS/NZS 3718:2005, which gives a 4.5% limit on allowable lead content in taps, will also be reviewed.

Australia is moving to 0.25% lead content limit over the next three years—effectively lead-free. This will go a long way towards minimising the amount of lead in drinking water.

Master Plumbers in New Zealand is advocating for the same 0.25% limit here to keep us aligned with Australia, and to prevent us becoming a dumping ground for taps that no longer comply over the Tasman.

DRAFT Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules 20 December 2021

The proposed new quality assurance rules take a prescriptive approach to drinking water quality management. In Heather Uwins-England’s view, a risk-based approach would be more effective.

It is disappointing that the proposed changes to the Drinking-Water Standards and Quality Assurance Rules do not include a reduction in the maximum allowable level of lead in drinking water.

Determinands are in their supplies. If they are present at more than 50% of their maximum acceptable values (MAV), then the parameter must be monitored more frequently,” explains Heather.

“In other words, suppliers only have to monitor issues they know to be in their water supplies, based on an annual test.

What happens if something emerges during those next 12 months, such as nitrates or disinfection products in the water?

“In my view, water suppliers should use a risk assessment approach to determine

what contaminants their supplies could potentially contain and then conduct appropriate monitoring for any issues.”

It is disappointing to note that the proposed changes to the Drinking-Water Standards and Quality Assurance Rules do not include a reduction in the maximum allowable level of lead in drinking water— even though we know the Ministry of Health has recommended it be reduced from 10 micrograms (0.01 milligrams) per litre to 5 micrograms (0.005 milligrams) per litre.

The draft new Drinking-Water Standards and Quality Assurance Rules are open for public consultation until 28 March 2022. Master Plumbers will make a submission on behalf of members. www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/for-water-suppliers/new-compliance-rules-and-standards

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RATE YOUR

BUSINESS Want to know how your business is tracking against industry benchmarks? A new BizRate Tool is being developed by the industry for the industry—helping you find out what ‘good’ looks like for your business. Learn more about this valuable new resource in our Q&A with Graham Burke, Executive Director of the Construction Industry Council.

Q: What exactly is the BizRate Tool?

A: It’s an online tool for for specialist trade businesses, who can anonymously enter their financial, commercial and operational performance data to receive a report, benchmarking their business against industry-wide targets.

The report will give a clear understanding of what a ‘good’ construction business looks like—helping you measure how well your business is performing against a wide range of criteria.

The report will help your business: Spot problems, so you can identify improvements Compare your business with other businesses in the same sector Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of changes in business functions and processes on your overall performance.

Graham Burke is Executive Director of the Construction Industry Council and past President of the Specialist Trade Contractors Federation.

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Specialist trade businesses will be able to log in to the BizRate Tool to anonymously enter their business performance data and receive an industry benchmark report on an annual basis.

Feature BUSINESS BENCHMARK

Once you receive the report, the BizRate Tool will provide links to a knowledge library where you can find resources to help you build capability and further develop your business.

Q: Is it confidential?

A: The data you enter and the report you receive are completely confidential. Your data belongs to you, and you have the right to ask to see what the system has, as well as to be removed from the database.

Only the system administrators at PwC will be able to access the data so they can provide help for your business, if required.

Industry associations, such as Master Plumbers, will be provided with an anonymous industry-level report, so they can identify overarching sector trends and focus areas, but no individual businesses will be mentioned. Your privacy is assured.

Q: Who’s behind it?

A: The BizRate Tool is a collaboration between numerous specialist trade associations. It is funded by the Construction Sector Accord and delivered by PwC.

WHAT DOES ‘GOOD’ LOOK LIKE? Construction businesses are facing a barrage of challenges, making it more crucial than ever to have a sustainable, resilient business.

Without an industry benchmark, it can be hard to know what ‘good’ looks like—which is why the BizRate Tool has been developed.

To read about the key challenges facing the industry right now, see the article NZ Plumber ran on page 62 of the OctoberNovember 2021 edition.

The Construction Sector Accord has supported the development of the tool because it aligns with its goals to foster sustainable, resilient and successful construction businesses.

Many people working in the specialist trade sector do a great job, but most acknowledge they could improve how they look after their finances and manage risks.

A similar, successful programme is already available to the vertical construction sector.

Q: Is it free?

A: There is a small annual fee to input your data and receive your yearly report.

Q: How do I take part?

A: The programme is moving into its pilot phase and we are keen to get Master Plumbers’ member businesses involved in this pilot.

We are offering the first 25 users free access to the Datakit tool, where you can input your data anonymously to receive a report for your business. Please email admin@masterplumbers.org.nz to register your interest. The BizRate tool is expected to officially launch within the next three months.

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www.bosch-climate.co.nz

KEEP UP WITH

THE CODE H1 ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION H1/AS1

On the tools

New Zealand climate zones

This edition’s Building Code news includes information about changes for HI Energy Efficiency Paragraph C.1.1.2 and B1 Structure in the latest annual update of the Code.

FIGURE C.1.1.2: Map of New Zealand climate zones

Climate zone 1

New roof and window insulation Climate zone 3 requirements Climate zone 4 Climate zone 2

Far North Whangarei

Changes to Building Code H1 Energy Efficiency H1/AS1, Climate 5 H1/VM1, H1/AS2 andzone H1/VM2 aim cut the energy needed to heat new homes and buildings, with a 40% reduction zone 6 expected forClimate new home builds.

The changes will see: Six new climate zones for New Zealand A doubling of the minimum level of roof insulation for new builds nationwide An increase for the minimum level of window insulation for new builds, with higher upgrades needed in colder climate zones.

There will be a one-year transition period for the majority of changes. The new window insulation requirements in the warmest climate zones will increase in 2022, with an additional increase in 2023. By the end of 2023, all parts of New Zealand will have Buller a similar minimum level of window insulation requirements.

Grey Other changes include the Westland introduction of Verification Selwyn Method H1/VM3 for the Ashburton energy efficiency of Mackenzie HVAC systems in Timaru commercial Waimate Queenstown-Lakes buildings.

MatamataHauraki Piako Tauranga Waikato Western HAMILTON CITY Bay of Plenty Waipa Ōtorohanga Rotorua Ōpōtiki South Kawerau Waikato Gisborne Waitomo Whakatane

New Plymouth

Ruapehu

Taupo

Wanganui Manawatu Horowhenua Kapiti Coast

NELSON CITY

Tararua

Marlborough

Hastings

Central Hawke’s Bay

Mangaweka H1 ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACCEPTABLE Ōhingaiti

New Zealand climate zones

PALMERSTON NORTH CITY Masterton

Carterton Tasman

NAPIER CITY

Rangitikei

South Taranaki

Taupo

Ruapehu

WairoaStratford

Hastings

Stratford

South Wairarapa

PORIRUA CITY UPPER HUTT CITY WELLINGTON CITY HUTT South CITY Wairarapa

FIGURE C.1.1.2: Map of New Zealand Paragraph C.1.1.2

Kaikoura Hurunui

Climate zone 1 Waimakariri CHRISTCHURCH CITY

DUNEDIN CITY Gore

ThamesCoromandel

AUCKLAND

Central Waitaki Otago

Southland

Map of New Zealand climate zones

Kaipara

Climate zone 2

Banks Peninsula

Climate zone 3 Climate zone 4 Climate zone 5

Otekaieke

Climate zone 6

Waikaura

Clutha WAITANGI

INVERCARGILL CITY

Chatham Island County

Learn more about the 2021 Building Code updates at www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/annualbuilding-code-updates/2021-building-code-update

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On the tools BUILDING CODE & STANDARDS

Flooring options for watersplash Timber or timber-based products are no longer deemed an acceptable option as linings and finishes to floors in wet areas in Building Code Acceptable Solution E3/AS1.

Until 4 November 2021, either Amendment 6 or 7 to E3/AS1 could be used as a means of compliance, but now only Amendment 7 can be used—and timber or timber-based products are not among the flooring options for wet areas in this latest version.

If a homeowner wants a particular wet area floor other than PVC, tiles or concrete, it will have to be designed and consented as an Alternative Solution as a means to compliance, says BRANZ Technical Writer Bruce Sedcole in Build Magazine (Build 186).

“This is not difficult for robust systems and where the risk of failure is lower, such as standalone housing,” he notes.

Foundations on liquefaction-prone ground Amendment 10 to Acceptable Solution B1/AS1 in 2011 stated that the Acceptable Solution could no longer be used for foundations on ground prone to liquefaction or lateral spreading in the Canterbury region. From 29 November, Amendment 19 extends the effect of Amendment 10 to cover the whole country.

Buildings on this type of ground will require more robust foundations than before and will have to use a Verification Method or Alternative Solution for building consent. The definition of ‘good ground’ in Building Code clause B1 Structure has been amended.

Liquefaction happens when loose saturated soils lose strength and stiffness, typically as the result of earthquake shaking. This was a major feature of the 2010/11 Canterbury Earthquakes, when liquefaction caused considerable damage to buildings. The new rules aim to ensure buildings on these soils have greater resilience.

While the change was already applied in Canterbury, it was expanded to the whole country as part of the 2019 Building Code update but with a 2-year delay in its implementation. The time gap allowed councils to finish their mapping of liquefaction-prone land.

Learn more about the 2021 Building Code updates at www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/annualbuilding-code-updates/2021-building-code-update

Securing exterior hot water systems

Anchor an exterior hot water cylinder to wall framing through a veneer. Do not fix to the veneer, advises BRANZ.

Heat pump water heaters often have an outside storage cylinder, either as part of an integrated heat exchanger/ cylinder unit or a split system where the cylinder is outside by choice.

BRANZ is reminding installers that, in either case, restraining the cylinder against earthquakes is crucial. A 25x1mm galvanised or stainless-steel strap with tensioning device can be installed around the top and bottom. Cylinders over 200 litres require a third strap in the centre (see G12/AS1 Figure 14).

The ideal is to directly fix the straps to the wall framing with coach screws a minimum 50mm into the studs. Fixings can be slightly tricky with brick veneer, however. Fixing the cylinder to the veneer itself is not desirable because veneer is generally not designed to cope with additional lateral point loads such as this.

There is one answer that requires careful planning: screw stainless-steel straps to the studs on both sides of where the cylinder will stand, passing the straps through the brick perpend joints as the veneer is constructed. Durable packing will be required between the heater and veneer to allow the straps to be properly tensioned.

As with any installation work, always check you comply with the manufacturer’s own installation instructions.

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During laying, the AES pipes were secured with temporary wooden ‘staples’ to ensure correct spacing and prevent them from rising when the system sand was packed around.

Commercial secondary treatment systems have become a popular and effective solution for largescale wastewater projects in New Zealand, as this AES project for Gentle Annie Seaside Accommodation shows. NZ Plumber discovers what was involved.

PHOTOGRAPHY: DAIMON SCHWALGER, NOMAD AV

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On the tools PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

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hen Gentle Annie Seaside Accommodation north of Westport found itself becoming increasingly popular, owner Jesse Atkins says it became clear they needed a larger wastewater system that would see them into the future.

“We have a camping ground here that runs along the Mokihinui River and the ocean,” says Jesse. “We have around 300 guests over the summer holidays, Christmas and New Year, which fluctuates a lot from our winter season. In choosing a wastewater system that could handle that fluctuation without causing issues, we kept coming back to Advanced Enviro-Septic [AES].

“We liked its ability to handle large variations in flow as well the simplicity— lack of power and moving parts—which means easy maintenance moving forward, giving us peace of mind knowing it can handle what we need.”

“We have around 300 guests over the summer holidays, Christmas and New Year, which fluctuates a lot from our winter season.”

JESSE ATKINS Owner, Gentle Annie Seaside Accommodation After talking to various engineers and doing some more research, Jesse and his team came across Environment Technology in Nelson. “They provided awesome advice and top-quality service, supporting us throughout the process to get the system in place,” he says.

Environment Technology introduced AES wastewater treatment systems to New Zealand almost a decade ago—most of them in residential properties at this time.

The technology has a 30-year history in the USA, and the standard AES-38 system was also tested in Trial 12 of the On Site Effluent Treatment – National Testing Programme (OSET-NTP) in Rotorua to treat effluent to a level 10 times better than that required by AS/NZS 1547:2012 for secondary wastewater treatment. In OSET-NTP Trial 13, the same components were configured as a recirculating AES-R system, with the addition of a low power recirculation pump, to further enhance nitrogen reduction for receiving environments where this is required.

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On the tools PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Two 25,000 litre septic tanks, made by Alpha Precasts, being put in place before the installation of the 136-pipe AES secondary wastewater treatment system.

Design details The Gentle Annie system, installed in November 2021, comprises 136 AES pipes and has a design capacity of 30,000 litres per day.

For Rowena Dixon of Takaka-based Wastewater Design, this was her largest AES design to date. “It was the perfect situation for an AES treatment system,” she says. “There was plenty of room on site and the in-situ soil was good quality as well. Because it’s a campground and not used at full capacity all the time, we were also able to increase the loading rate in the AES pipes.

“The AES pipes have been certified by the USA manufacturers to treat 38 litres per metre of pipe per day for flows averaged over a week.

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However, in this case we could increase the loading, which reduced the total number of pipes, saving the customer plenty of money.”

Rowena says longevity was a major drawcard for Jesse in deciding to use an AES system. “They could have had a primary system, but wanted something that would last a lifetime.”

Installation know-how Once Rowena had completed the design, with Environment Technology’s review and approval, Jesse contacted Dwan & Andrews in Hokitika. “Led by Duncan Hamilton, the team provided an awesome installation service, which has made things so much

PROTANK+ INSTALLATION KIT

The PROTANK+ installation kit is designed to reduce installation time, with a tidy and efficient finish.

Never before has it been this quick and easy to have a professional hot water cylinder installation.

Caleffi Combo Set Insulation clam • Reduces heat loss

Straps and blocks • Safely secures tank

Attaching the offset adaptors that enable the AES pipes to connect to 100mm PVC pipe.

quicker and easier for such a large-scale job,” he says. “It’s been great.” Environment Technology Director Dick Lamb was also on site, assisting with the installation on the tools throughout the project.

Two 25,000 litre septic tanks feed through to a nine-port distribution box feeding the wastewater into the bed, constructed at a depth of around 1.2m. Fortunately, the soil on site proved to be acceptable sand media for the bottom 150mm of the bed in which the pipes were laid. “This helped considerably with the installation costs, reducing the amount of sand that needed to be trucked into such a remote area,” explains Rowena. “No expensive six-month or yearly call outs for ongoing servicing to maintain a warranty also helps considerably with the cost, including the carbon cost associated with travel and repair of electronic componentry. They can install and forget.”

TPR valve and clam • Temperature pressure relief valve

Current sizes MODEL

RANGE

Description

Height Ø

135L, 3kW

1380 x 475

180L, 3kW

1780 x 475

Wide-ranging applications As AES technology has become established in New Zealand, the number of large-scale AES designs has increased considerably.

Environment Technology says the largest system to date, with a daily flow of 35,000 litres per day, was installed at a Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers’ accommodation in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, in February 2020. This called for 320 3m lengths of AES pipe to be installed in the treatment bed.

Other locations and applications have ranged from tourist facilities in Te Anau, Taranaki and Taupo, to golf clubs, orchards and DoC sites on the West Coast and the North Island’s Lake Waikaremoana and Coromandel Peninsula.

Element and electricals Cold water expansion

Tray and tundish • In case of cylinder overflow

On the tools PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

“Campgrounds and holiday parks are opting for the AES system, as it reaches secondary level treatment quickly from seasonal start-up, allows for fluctuation in daily flows, has a large buffer capacity for peak occupation and requires no ongoing servicing,” explains Environment Technology Managing Director Hazel Pearson.

Western Bay of Plenty Council have also proposed AES for all marae upgrades undertaken under the Regional Development Fund, due to the absence of costly ongoing servicing fees. The AES system provides authorities with an assurance of high-quality treatment for the design lifetime of the system—and, with no electrical or moving parts, the lifetime is indefinite.

Environment Technology was off to a busy start in 2022, with a 128 pipe system installed at a primary school in Waikato in January. In their first week back at work, the team had also dispatched AES components for another two large-scale jobs: one RSE accommodation and another school.

Towards the end of the installation, with most of the pipes in place.

A video of the Gentle Annie System can be viewed on Environment Technology’s website www.et.nz/videos

N

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On the tools HOT WATER

TECHNICAL THEME

UV hot water

DISINFECTION Low temperature hot water systems require extra protection from harmful bacteria, such as Legionella, as Taylor Purification explains.

U

V water disinfection is a natural process that does not add any chemicals into the water, nor alter the water chemistry. UV light energy inactivates harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, by disrupting the DNA—effectively preventing them from multiplying and causing illness. The pathogens are destroyed when the water passes through the disinfection chamber.

E. coli, cryptosporidium and giardia are all examples of waterborne microorganisms that cause gastrointestinal illnesses, and that can be controlled with UV disinfection.

Legionella bacteria Legionella bacteria can cause a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) called Legionnaires’ disease, or a less serious illness known as Pontiac fever. Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams.

The bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in manmade building water systems. People can get sick when they breathe in small droplets of water in the air that contain the bacteria, or by accidentally ingesting affected water into the lungs while drinking.

People at increased risk from Legionella include people 50 years or older, current or former smokers, those with chronic lung diseases, people with weak immune systems or who take drugs that weaken the immune system (like after a transplant operation The Greenway 32H Hot Water UV System is an example of a system that’s suitable for hot water reticulation systems under 55°C.

Retirement homes, apartment buildings, medical facilities and schools have lower temperature hot water systems, so they require protection from harmful microorganisms, including Legionella bacteria.

or chemotherapy), people with cancer, or people with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure or liver failure.

main places with these susceptible lower temperature hot water systems, so they require protection.

Susceptible hot water systems

Lower temperature hot water solutions

In domestic hot water systems, the temperature is typically maintained at 65°C so bacteria cannot grow. However, there are some institutional hot water systems that are kept below 55°C for protection against severe scalding. Below this temperature there is a danger of bacterial growth, and this can lead to serious outbreaks— particularly of Legionnaires’ disease.

Retirement homes, apartment buildings, medical facilities and schools are the

Various solutions are available, one of which is ultraviolet (UV) disinfection with a hot water UV system. Normal domestic UV systems don’t work very well on hot water applications, as they are intended to run at about 35°C or less, and their output diminishes dramatically at temperatures over 45°C. The Greenway 32H Hot Water UV System is an example of a system that’s suitable for hot water reticulation systems under 55°C. It can treat flows of up to 8,820 LPH in a single pass situation but has greater capability in a recirculation system where there are multiple passes through the UV. The system incorporates Low Pressure High Output lamps that are specifically designed to operate at higher temperature of 55°C without difficulty and have twice the power of a standard low pressure UV lamp.

About the author: Taylor Purification are the distributors of the Greenway® range of UV disinfection systems. For more information, please visit www.taylor-purification.nz or contact sales@taylor-purification.nz

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New Zealand’s approach to climate change will impact many aspects of our day-to-day lives. Rinnai looks at what changes we might expect for how we heat water in our homes.

T

he Government is in the process of deciding on policies following the Climate Change Commission’s (CCC) recommendations on how to tackle climate change and meet the requirements for carbon neutrality by 2050. This article looks at how these policies may impact the two main categories of domestic water heating: instantaneous gas and electric storage.

Instantaneous gas Much has been talked of a ‘gas ban’. While the CCC’s advice does not advocate a total gas ban, they do recommend the Government sets a date on the halt of new gas connections once a national energy strategy is developed and there is greater clarity around the contribution future gases can make.

Given the complexity of converting a natural gas or LPG appliance to 100% hydrogen, in future we are likely to see hydrogen-specific appliances where hydrogen combustion is factored in at the design stage.

The gas industry is advocating that fuel gas transitions towards hydrogen and bioLPG over the next 10-20 years.

This decarbonisation of gas has the same outcomes for New Zealand in terms of ‘carbon budgets’ as a halt on new connections proposed in the CCC recommendations.

The initial stage of decarbonised fuel gas would be the introduction of a blend of natural gas and up to 20% hydrogen. This percentage is used as it is the maximum you can realistically add to NZ natural gas whilst keeping the general characteristics of natural gas that current appliances run on.

When you consider a fuel change, it’s not just the current appliances being sold that will be impacted, but all the in-use connected appliances in homes, schools and businesses. At Rinnai, we have been doing some testing on our current appliances and we can report that these can operate perfectly well on a natural gas blend with 20-30% hydrogen.

We will shortly start testing water heating appliances that we have sold over the last 20 years to determine if they can operate on the proposed 20% blend. We don’t expect issues, but the correct thing to do is test and find out.

The work for bioLPG is also underway, and we will be running trials on some appliances shortly to see how they perform and operate.

Testing on current Rinnai appliances has shown that they can operate on a natural gas blend with 20-30% hydrogen. Rinnai will shortly start testing water heating appliances sold over the last 20 years to determine if they can do the same.

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On the tools HOT WATER

TECHNICAL THEME

The move to 100% hydrogen A current conversion from LPG to natural gas or vice versa is reasonably straightforward, but the same cannot be said for converting an existing natural gas or LPG appliance to hydrogen.

Hydrogen as a fuel gas has some unique challenges. It’s unlikely that a ‘conversion kit’ will be available to convert a current appliance to a hydrogen appliance.

Whilst you should never say never, here are some of the challenges that you might face in a water heater (in no particular order): Noise and resonance.

Combusting hydrogen is a noisy business. This is due to the physical properties of the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen combusts with a popping noise, and this is far louder than current fuel gas combustion.

Safety systems. Current appliance safety systems like flame rectification do not work with 100% hydrogen.

Burner and aeration. Burner designs intended for natural gas and LPG are not necessarily suitable for hydrogen.

These factors make it difficult to convert a natural gas or LPG appliance to a 100% hydrogen appliance. Therefore, what we are likely to see is hydrogen-specific appliances or appliance designs where hydrogen combustion is factored in at the design stage and can operate on different gas types entering NZ’s market over time. Of course, the appliances will need a fuel source and gas companies are actively discussing the requirements for generation of hydrogen and how it will be distributed.

We are somewhat ahead of the curve here, as the current fuel gas standards will in time need to be updated to cover the new gas mixes as they become available.

Electric storage Electricity as an energy source has a far lesser environmental impact in New Zealand than fossil fuels, as a large proportion of it is

Rinnai are working on developments in the electric storage water heater space, as electricity will become an increasingly important energy source for water heating due to its lower environmental impact than fossil fuels.

generated by renewable sources. Therefore, going forward, electricity will be an increasingly important energy source for water heating. NZ’s electricity generation capacity will have some challenges as it adjusts to cope with the electrification of transport and private car fleets.

How we manage our electricity resources and use electricity efficiently and wisely will become increasingly important. At Rinnai we recognise this and are working on numerous developments in the electric storage water heater space.

So, how might you improve the performance of electric storage?

You can use the electricity to heat water efficiently by increasing the insulation on cylinders. This helps retain heat in the cylinder, which in turn allows the cylinder to require less electrical power. Cylinders are already subject to regulation in the form of MEPS regulations on the amount of energy they can lose. Having a cylinder with very good insulation and heat loss that is far lower than the current MEPS regulations results in low energy consumption.

Most electric storage cylinders currently use a simple resistance element to heat the water. Using heat pump technology can deliver a more efficient use of electricity to heat the same volume of water. Whilst heat pump technology is currently available, it is often designed for an overseas market and not New Zealand.

Coupling heat pump technology with a highly insulated cylinder makes for a high performing appliance that maximises the energy it’s supplied.

About the author: John Swarbrick is Innovation & Technical Manager at Rinnai New Zealand.

With qualifications in mechanical engineering, John has 18 years’ experience in the New Zealand gas industry and has been with Rinnai NZ for 10 years. He has previously chaired New Zealand’s Gas Equipment Supplier’s group and represented New Zealand’s gas industry on many appliance standards committees.

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On the tools HOT WATER

TECHNICAL THEME

Hot water thermal efficiency Advice from the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) on meeting Building Code requirements for the thermal efficiency of hot water systems.

W

ater heating in Aotearoa makes up a large part of a household’s total energy bill. A poorly designed hot water system can cost the building occupier in extra energy and the installation might not comply with New Zealand’s Building Code (NZBC).

Mandatory requirements NZBC Clause H1 Energy Efficiency outlines the mandatory requirements for thermal efficiency. For hot water systems, H1.3.4 says:

Before installing a hot water system, consider the thermal efficiency aspects of the design, including the location of the water heater, pipe type, pipe volume and insulation.

Systems for the heating, storage, or distribution of hot water to and from sanitary fixtures or sanitary appliances must, having regard to the energy source used,— (b) be constructed to limit heat losses from storage vessels and from distribution systems; and (c) be constructed to facilitate the efficient use of hot water.

When designing and/ or installing a plumbing system, consideration must be given to the distance that hot water needs to travel to the outlet and how much heat will be lost in the draw off process.

Acceptable solutions NZS 4305:1996 (cited in H1) gives the acceptable solutions for energy efficiency for domestic hot water systems to meet the mandatory requirements of H1.3.4.

NZS 4305 outlines that: water heaters should be located as close as practicable to the areas they service the pipe supplying the kitchen sink should not be more than a total volume of two litres the maximum hot water pipe length to a kitchen sink is: • 12m for a pipe that has a nominal pipe size of 15mm; and • 7m for a nominal pipe size of 20mm.

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You freakin’ beauty!

Since NZS 4305 was released in 1996, a number of new types of water supply pipes have come into the market. This means NZS 4305 may not consider individual characteristics of newer pipe systems and their thermal efficiency.

If you are not installing the pipework as per NZS 4305, you can use an alternative solution, as long as the installation meets the mandatory requirements of H1.3.4.

For consented work, you must get approval from the council for an alternative solution before you do the work.

There can be several ways to meet the hot water thermal efficiency requirements of H1. However, before you install the hot water system, it is important to consider all aspects of the design.

This includes the location of the water heater, pipe type, pipe volume and insulation.

USEFUL LINKS

NZS 4305:1996 Energy efficiency – domestic type hot water systems www.standards.govt.nz/shop/nzs-43051996 NZBC H1 – Energy Efficiency www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/h-energyefficiency/h1-energy-efficiency

The Tita Progressive shower mixer is an equal mains pressure shower valve.

The benefit of a Progressive Shower Mixer is that its clockwise rotational action opens the cold-water flow first, then gradually introduces the hot water to achieve a comfortable showering temperature and then continuing to rotate the handle full hot water flow will be achieved. This rotational / progressive temperature functionality eliminates the risk of accidentally delivering hot water by always opening the cold-water flow first, thus reducing the risk of accidental scalding and the wastage of hot water.

GET IMPROVED TEMPERATURE CONTROL WITH THE PROGRESSIVE SHOWER MIXER

The temperature adjustment mechanism is a ceramic cartridge which being progressive in one direction is more durable than a normal tilt and turn ceramic cartridge and delivers a full flow within a quarter turn.

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On the tools HOT WATER

TECHNICAL THEME

HASTINGS LPCU FAILURES

Plumbers in Hastings met for an online forum with the Hastings District Council, Rheem New Zealand, Rinnai New Zealand and Master Plumbers in early February to discuss the significant rate of low pressure copper water heater failures in the city. NZ Plumber reports on the event.

L

ow pressure copper water heaters (LPCU) have been failing at a concerning rate in parts of Hastings.

With a population of around 88,000, Hastings makes up just under 2% of New Zealand’s total population, yet the failure rate of LPCU in the city is close to 30% of total failures nationwide—16 times the national average.

to its water supplies in 2018. Unlike in Hastings, however, this has stabilised.

Failures in Christchurch also tended to be in the base of older cylinders, where the chlorine dissolved scale and sediment to expose pinhole corrosion. Analysis of Hastings failures by Rheem and Rinnai has found corrosion points to be more random, often in the copper sheet of the cylinder wall.

Why Hastings?

Ongoing issues unusual

Hastings water is drawn primarily from underground aquifers. Until 2016, water was essentially fed untreated from the aquifer into the pipe network to people’s taps. That all changed in 2016, when chlorination commenced, following the Havelock North drinking water contamination event.

Chlorination is a Ministry of Health requirement unless a council can prove that its network is without faults and the water is safe to drink. “Our first priority is to deliver safe water,” said Brett Chapman, 3 Waters Manager at Hastings District Council, at the forum. “Chlorination is an accepted practice globally in terms of disinfection treatment and providing a residual that protects drinking water on its way to consumers.”

Rheem New Zealand R&D Manager Ian Horsburgh, who presented a review of the Hastings failures at the forum, said when chlorine was introduced in Hastings, a lot of older low pressure copper water heaters failed. “This was not entirely unexpected, but should have quickly stabilised,” he said. “In actual fact, it has got worse and, five years on, we are seeing significant premature failures.”

Hastings is not the only area in New Zealand to have LPCU issues. A handful of small towns—including Otaki, Turangi and Te Kuiti—are also affected, as are properties on private water supplies, which often have poor water quality with little or no treatment.

Christchurch also experienced a spike in failures during the initial dosing of chlorine

Brett Chapman acknowledged that the initial shock dosing of chlorine in Hastings caused some older copper laterals to fail, as weaknesses were exposed. However, the network has since rebalanced and any failures have dropped back to a manageable level, he said. “So, it’s quite surprising to see hot water cylinder failures continuing and with relatively new products.”

The council carries out continuous online monitoring and daily manual sampling and

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testing of its water supplies, so it can respond to water quality changes. “We monitor a range of both chemical and biological parameters and there is nothing to suggest the water chemistry has changed to become extremely corrosive to copper,” he said.

Whilst Chapman noted that Hastings District Council doesn’t discount the fact that there have been chemical changes as a result of putting chlorine in the network, he said what needs to be understood is what those changes are and why they might be different in Frimley as opposed to somewhere in the Eastbourne network and in Havelock North.

“If you look at the statistics that Rheem have provided in their presentation, it shows that it’s certain parts of Hastings that are more prevalent to these types of failures and we chlorinate right across all of our water supplies—Havelock North gets the the same level of chlorination as anywhere else but

In his forum presentation, Rheem New Zealand R&D Manager Ian Horsburgh noted that LPCU failures were particularly significant in the 4120 and 4122 postcode areas of Hastings.

LOW PRESSURE COPPER: FACT FILE Copper water heaters are the oldest type of water heater available in New Zealand.

Now rarely installed in new builds, they were the dominant type of water heater before the 1980s and are still commonly found in older homes.

Available in a range of sizes and diameters, copper water heaters are only available in low pressure (76-120kPa).

Copper hot water cylinders are less resilient to poor water conditions than today’s stainless steel and vitreous enamel options.

we’re not seeing failures there. It’s not just chlorination. If it was that simple, then we would have an answer to that.”

Failure not an option At the meeting, all were agreed that the status quo is not acceptable and there will be thorough ongoing investigation.

In the interim, the general consensus was that plumbers in Hastings should be advised not to install or carry out like-forlike replacements of low pressure copper water heaters within the city’s 4120 and 4122 postcode areas.

Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace said it was important for plumbers to make recommendations that would mitigate costs to the consumer, now and into the future.

A like-for-like replacement may be simpler, cheaper and quicker to install than vitreous enamel or stainless steel alternatives, but this upfront saving could prove a false economy if it fails prematurely.

“Installers should let clients know in writing about the situation,” said Wallace.

“They should get written acknowledgement from customers who choose a like-for-like replacement that they understand the risks and are aware of their options.”

IMPORTANT ACTIONS FOR HASTINGS PLUMBERS 1. Watch the Hastings LPCU failures webinar recording at: www.masterplumbers.org.nz/ dashboard/business-resources/ low-pressure-copper-water-heaterfailures-in-hastings 2. Provide consumers in the 4120 and 4122 postcode areas with a written recommendation not to choose a like-for-like replacement of their failed low-pressure copper water heater, with reasons why 3. Ensure households and businesses have good information about alternative water heating options that are appropriate for use in these areas 4. If the consumer insists on a likefor-like replacement, ask them to

Should a customer go ahead with a like-for-like replacement, despite recommendations otherwise from the plumber, both Rinnai and Rheem confirmed they would stand by the terms

sign an acknowledgement that they understand the risks (Master Plumbers has developed a letter template for members’ use) 5. Provide manufacturers with photographic evidence of any failed installations or components 6. Send any failed copper products, including elements and heat exchangers, back to the manufacturer to assist with analysis and data collection.

NOTE: Plumbers in all areas of New Zealand should confirm the suitability of materials for use within their particular region. For municipal supplies, plumbers should be able to access information on long-term water quality trends.

of the manufacturer’s warranty conditions if, on inspection of the failed product, it turned out to be a manufacturing fault.

Warranty conditions include specific LSI (water chemistry) parameters.

Durable Indoor/Outdoor design with Colourbond® steel finish.

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RINNAI ENAMEL INDOOR OUTDOOR HOT WATER CYLINDERS Suitable for indoor and outdoor installations of mains pressure systems.

Available in: 90 L, 135 L, 180 L, 215 L, 275 L, 340 L. To find out more visit rinnai.co.nz

On the tools PRODUCTS & SERVICES

DISCOVER THE LATEST PRODUCTS FOR PLUMBERS, GASFITTERS AND DRAINLAYERS.

INTRODUCING...

Caroma G-Series wall mounted electronic tap & soap dispenser Caroma’s new G-Series wall mounted electronic tapware is ideal for a range of commercial applications, including hospitality, education, office, public areas, and care applications such as hospitals, aged care facilities and accessible bathrooms.

New sizes for Allproof Sealproof

Learn more at www.caroma.co.nz

Cylinder Quick from Aqualine Cylinder Quick units are a cost effective and efficient solution to installing hot water cylinders to NZ Building Code Standards.

Manufactured from low pressure laminate moisture resistant board, these units arrive flat packed for ease of storage and include assembly instructions and fittings within each kit.

Cylinder Quick units are assembled in less than five minutes and only require either a battery drill or screw driver to complete. The front panel is completely removable so future maintenance access is as simple as removing five screws.

Three carefully selected colour ranges, Classic, Honed and

Architectural, ensure a large variety of finishes to allow for pricing alternatives for every job. Paired with Aqualine’s Cylinder Tray, these units make a complete kit for quick and tidy installations for residential and commercial projects.

Cylinder Quick units are available from all leading plumbing merchants.

The Allproof Sealproof is a drainage pipe seal ideal for water tanks and sumps. The addition of a 90mm, 80mm, and 80mm for downpipe, alongside the 100mm, further expands the scope for the Sealproof. Made in New Zealand, the Sealproof has been UV stabilised and designed for NZ conditions.

Made from thermoplastic rubber, it provides a durable and flexible pipe seal for penetrations into water catchment services, with wall section depths up to 10mm. The elasticity in the material provides a tight seal on stormwater pipe and 80mm plastic downpipes with a push fit and ensures watertightness against the hole in the tank or sump. Easy to install, simply fit into place in the tank/sump, then push fit pipe through the opening.

Makita 40V Max XGT Brushless Angle Drill The 40V Max XGT Brushless Angle Drill (DA001G) from Makita is a cordless drilling solution designed for demanding, heavy load applications. It delivers the power, speed, and run time for corded demands, without the cord.

The DA001G features Brushless motor, producing 136Nm max torque in low speed, 2 Speed Transmission for rapid drilling and high torque applications and variable speeds (0-350 RPM, 0-1,400 RPM). Automatic Torque Drive Technology adjusts drilling speed

and torque under load for optimum drilling performance. Added features include an electric brake for maximum productivity, and a built-in clutch that reduces gear damage by disengaging gears if the bit binds.

Maximum drilling capacities of the DA001G include 159mm with a hole saw and 50mm with an auger bit. For added durability in harsh jobsite conditions, the DA001G features Extreme Protection Technology (XPT), engineered for improved dust and water resistance. nzplumber

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

GOLD PARTNERS

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MEMBER BENEFIT

Master Plumbers

BRAND BENEFITS Access to the Master Plumbers brand is the number one benefit of belonging to Master Plumbers.

It’s official. The Master Plumbers brand has serious clout with customers and clients. Feedback from our latest annual survey shows the brand is the most valued benefit by members. Survey respondents also believe that the majority of consumers (81%) think it is important to choose a Master Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer for their job.

There are so many ways to maximise the brand in your business. Download the logo in digital format to display on your website, social media channels, email signatures, letterheads, quotes and invoices.

Incorporate it in your vehicle signwriting, your workplace signage and your branded workwear.

Or use our online order form to order free vehicle decals and purchase Master Plumbers branded envelopes and keyrings.

Want to shout your membership from the treetops? Go to Branding in the member log-in at www.masterplumbers.org.nz to access the Master Plumbers logo and branded merchandise.

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NEWS AND ACTIVITIES FROM MASTER PLUMBERS AS 2022 GETS UNDERWAY.

COME TOGETHER DON’T MISS OUT! Book your spot now for the 2022 NZ Plumbing Conference.

If you only attend one event in 2022, make it this one. The 2022 New Zealand Plumbing Conference is the leading event for the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying sector.

Take advantage of networking opportunities with topquality exhibitors and like-minded business owners Get practical business ideas from inspirational guest speakers Learn how your business may be affected by latest industry developments Enjoy time away from your business while adding value to it.

Speakers include Building and Construction Minister Hon Poto Williams; LPG and Gas Association of NZ Chief Executive Janet Carson; Michelle Burman of leadership development consultancy Hatch Talent; and motivational speaker Dr Paul Wood.

Full conference registration entitles you to all business and speaker sessions, morning and afternoon teas and lunches, Friday leisure time activities and all evening social events. These include the Mico Welcome Night function at the Te Puia geothermal wonderland, the Marley and Dux Fun Night Dinner at the Skyline Rotorua and the celebratory 2022 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Dinner, MC’d by Paddy Gower.

Not attended one of our conferences before? We’ll make you very welcome!

Get set for an epic event. Book today.

When: 15-17 June 2022 Where: Energy Events Centre, Rotorua Cost: From $995 ex GST per person Register: www.plumbingconference.org.nz/register

TOP: The Marley and Dux Fun Night Dinner will be held at the Skyline Rotorua. ABOVE LEFT: The Energy Events Centre is the contemporary and spacious conference venue.

ABOVE RIGHT: Keynote speaker Dr Paul Wood works with senior leaders to help them reach and maintain peak performance.

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Master Plumbers

Current business confidence

High confidence 19% Moderate confidence 71% Low confidence 8% No confidence 2%

Has the product supply chain impacted your business?

Yes 84% No 13% Other 3%

SURVEYING OUR MEMBERS

Despite 84% of respondents in our latest annual survey of member businesses saying that product supply chain restraints are affecting their businesses, the general outlook remains positive—with 90% rating their current business confidence as moderate to high.

This is reflected in good numbers currently training apprentices (67%) and over half of those surveyed (55%) planning to take on an apprentice in the next 12 months.

The Covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on member businesses, with only 8% reporting no impact at all. More than a quarter of respondents (27%) said Covid-19 had resulted in a loss of earnings, with some members seeing an increased job load (20%) and others a decrease (15%). Fortunately, only 8% of those surveyed had had to lose staff to date. Covid-19 related admin and vaccinations were also mentioned as issues.

The shortage of tradespeople was top of the list of individual business challenges (37%), followed by too much work (16%), loss of revenue (8%) and consenting delays (8%).

Shortage of tradespeople was also considered the biggest challenge facing the industry as a whole (69%). This was followed by consenting delays and a lack of enforcement of unlicensed people.

Member support Primary reason for joining

Brand/logo 26% Consumer guarantee 11% Networking opportunities 11% Advocacy 9% Technical support 6% Health and safety 5% News and communications 5% Deals and discounts 5% Human resources 4% Training courses 3% Other 15%

The Master Plumbers’ brand, consumer guarantee and networking opportunities are the top three membership drawcards, according to the survey. Advocacy sits at number four, with 90% of respondents saying Master Plumbers does an ‘excellent’, ‘very good’ to ‘good’ job as a voice for the industry.

The Master Plumbers training programme and communication channels are also valued by members, with NZ Plumber the main source of information for 80% of survey respondents, followed by the website (56%) and social media (48%).

It is encouraging to know that 84% of respondents are ‘very likely’ or ‘likely’ to recommend Master Plumbers’ membership to other businesses.

The annual Master Plumbers survey informs the development of new member resources and training course topics, as well as our future strategic direction. We sincerely thank all member businesses who participated in the 2021 survey.

UPDATES

Main challenge for business

Shortage of tradespeople 37% Too much work 16% Loss of revenue 8% Delays in consenting 8% Future job prospects 7% Compliance paperwork 6% Staff retention 5% Too little work 4% Other 9%

How many apprentices does your business train?

10+ 4% 5–9 13% 2–4 33% 1 17% 0 33%

How do you rate Master Plumbers COVID-19 support?

Excellent 17% Very good 34% Good 33% Fair 13% Poor 3% nzplumber

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Get to know the Master Plumbers team with our quick Q&As. What does your day-to-day role entail?

Being in marketing and communications, no two days are the same. The wide variety of activities in my role keep things interesting, from social media, website, and promotions to advertising and writing, all of which I enjoy.

Can you tell us a bit about you?

I’m originally from Northland and have now lived in Wellington for a few years.

Where’s your favourite holiday spot?

When we were able to travel, one of my favourite holiday destinations was Lady Elliot Island, the southernmost coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef. It’s a magical place where you can swim with manta rays, turtles, and sharks, enjoy sunset drinks on the beach, as well as learn about sustainability and nature around the secluded island.

What are you listening to right now?

I listen to a variety of music in my spare time, as well as the Ted Talks, as they cover some interesting topics.

What’s your favourite food?

Being a keen fisher, I do enjoy fresh seafood. You can’t beat fresh vegetables from the garden as well.

What’s your work background?

My background is actually in science. I transitioned into communications and marketing, where I get to express my creative side.

NAME: Sheree Phillips ROLE: Marketing and

Communications Manager

POSITIVE FUTURE FOR GAS APPRENTICES

Confidence in gasfitting as a career continues to grow, with the number of gasfitting apprentices increasing by 5% between 2020 and 2021.

“Renewable gases will still need qualified gasfitters, and Master Plumbers strongly believes carbon-neutral gas fuels will be a strategically important part of New Zealand’s energy resources in the future,” says Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace.

“It’s encouraging to see the number of apprentices choosing gasfitting as a trade continuing to grow, but we also need to ensure the appropriate training is available around the servicing of existing supply and to develop the industry further.

“We look forward to working with the Government and the wider sector to ensure we have a steady stream of future-ready apprentices coming through the training system as we move toward a carbon-neutral future.”

Overall, PGD apprenticeships have seen record growth. There’s been a 60% increase in the number of apprentices beginning their PGD training from 2020 to 2021.

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

One of my favourite books was The Power of One—that left a lasting impression on me. Regarding movies, I enjoy a good thriller, comedy, stop animation or drama.

WANT TO JOIN?

Master Plumbers is here to support all businesses in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry.

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

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

REACHING CONSUMERS OVER SUMMER

Over the summer break, Master Plumbers ran a radio campaign ran in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, reminding people not to try and fix their own plumbing. “Choose a Master Plumbers for quality assured workmanship and the 12-month Master Plumbers Guarantee,” was the message, pointing homeowners to the Find a Master Plumber search tool to help find a Master Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer in their area.

Master Plumbers

UPDATES

HAPPY DAY IN HAWKE’S BAY

It was fantastic to see Master Plumbers members around the country able to get together in person for Christmas festivities at the end of 2021. The photo here is of the Hawke’s Bay Master Plumbers Christmas function, held on a lovely sunny evening at the Black Barn Bistro and winery. Here’s hoping for plenty of Branch and Association events and activities in 2022!

BEST IN BRAND PRIZE

We just had to give the latest Best in Brand prize to the Garner Holdings team in New Plymouth for some fantastic Master Plumbers branding. Love the way they’ve given prominence to all three Master logos on the side of this van. A $200 Prezzy Card voucher is on its way!

Time to enter Send your entries now to be in to win the next $200 Prezzy Card prize. Email admin@masterplumbers.org.nz by 21 March 2022.

All-new Staria Load

Built to work smarter

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

DRIVING YOUR BUSINESS FORWARD

NEW MEMBERS

At Master Plumbers, we’re very excited to announce our new Gold Partnership with vehicle partners Hyundai New Zealand, Isuzu New Zealand and Renault New Zealand—providing our members with some special deals on the vehicles you need to run a successful business.

Hyundai New Zealand The Hyundai brand has grown so rapidly as a global automotive powerhouse, it’s easy to forget that they’re a local business. Hyundai New Zealand is 100% Kiwi owned and each and every Hyundai dealership is 100% NZ operated.

They like to think it gives you the best of both worlds: the benefits of global investment, research and development, combined with local commitment and understanding.

0800 HYUNDAI (498 632); www.hyundai.co.nz

Get in touch with Hyundai to learn about their special offer for Master Plumbers on the Staria Load—their newest work van.

A very warm welcome to new Master Plumbers member businesses: Auckland 2D Gas & Plumbing Ltd Aspen Plumbing Ltd Assist Trade Services Ltd, T/A McDermond Plumbing and Gas Solutions Auckland Gas Services B&R Plumbing Ltd Brightside Plumbing Ltd Buffalo Plumbing & Gas Ltd Drain Surgeons NZ Ltd Hi Spec Plumbing & Gas Magenta Industries Ltd Mint Plumbing Ltd Proline Plumbing & Gas Ltd RT Plumbing & Drainage Ltd Scott Plumbing Ltd Target Drainage 2020 Ltd The Drain Company Ltd Watersmart NZ Ltd Waikato Rich Plumbing and Gas Solutions Ltd Gisborne Alex Hyland Plumbing Ltd Taranaki Ariki Plumbing and Gas Ltd Motion Plumbing & Gas Ltd

Contact Isuzu Utes New Zealand about the special Master Plumbers deal on a new Isuzu D-Max or MU-X.

Isuzu Utes New Zealand Being a 100% NZ owned company, Isuzu Utes New Zealand know that Kiwi tradies need tough utes to keep up with their work—and that’s where the D-Max comes in. Not only is the D-Max tough, it’s also NZ’s safest ute, and NZ4WD Ute of the Year for 2021. Available in a bunch of options—like single, space, or double cab, as well as 2WD or 4WD—there’s a D-Max to fit your job. Looking for a tough SUV? Don’t go past the all-new 7 seat MU-X. 0800 478 986; www.isuzuutes.co.nz

Renault New Zealand Proud to be 100% Kiwi owned and operated, Renault New Zealand brings Kiwi tradies sturdy and reliable Renault commercial vehicles. Renault is one of the best-selling commercial vehicle brands in Europe, and they stand behind that with their range of stylish vans. From the small Kangoo (available as an EV), through to the popular Trafic and the large Master, there is a Renault van for your business. All with the backing of their three year/350,000km warranty.

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Hawkes Bay Riley Brothers Ltd Whanganui Buxton Gas and Plumbing Ltd Hutt Valley/Wairarapa Get Plumbing and Gas Maintenance Ltd Porter Plumbing Ltd Wellington BPH Plumbing Ltd Garcia Services Ltd, T/A Garcia Plumbing and Gasfitting TKO Plumbing Ltd Canterbury Full Bore Plumbing Ltd Queenstown Lakes District Gas Engineering Services Central Otago Otago iPlumb NZ Ltd Mike Hasler Plumbing and Gas Ltd

Enjoy the special Master Plumbers member deal on the Renault range—give them a call today.

Southland ADP Plumbing and Gas Ltd

Master Plumbers

UPDATES

NEW SILVER BUSINESS PARTNER:

St Michel

A warm welcome to new Master Plumbers Silver Business Partner St Michel.

St Michel have been crafting high-quality New Zealand made bathroom furniture for 30 years. In that time, they have a built a reputation for inspired design, high manufacturing standards and reassuring ongoing support.

They don’t cut corners and apply rigorous quality and checking processes. That means St Michel offers robust and durable products, across all price points. At their modern production facilities in Auckland, the team use their knowledge and skills to ensure St Michel customers will be pleased they bought New Zealand made.

St Michel have New Zealand’s only in-house bathroom furniture design team. Working in-house with their furniture craftsmen and production specialists means they can deliver the best results, from design aesthetic and functionality, through to product durability.

WORLD PLUMBING DAY 11 MARCH Master Plumbers is celebrating World Plumbing Day in 2022 by partnering with Milwaukee to give away THREE amazing prize packs, worth a total of over $,8000* to our First Prize, Second Prize and Third Prize winners!

The competition is open to all members of Master Plumbers until the end of Wednesday 9 March. Check out our Facebook page for all the details.

Go to www.masterplumbers.org.nz to enter today. *Terms & Conditions apply.

About World Plumbing Day World Plumbing Day highlights the importance of plumbing and plumbers in protecting public health and improving amenities.

11 March has been fixed on calendars of the global plumbing community and political and social institutions since World Plumbing Day was established by the World Plumbing Council in 2010.

Through our competition, we want to acknowledge the fantastic work our members do in helping keep New Zealand homes and businesses sanitary and warm, with safe drinking water and hot water supplies.

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GROWING THEIR OWN Bringing apprentices through into the industry has been at the heart of CF Reese Plumbing since 1946— and it remains a core value today.

AUTHOR: NICK WALKER

C

F Reese Plumbing in Hamilton has been dedicated to nurturing apprentices for the past 75 years, thanks to the philosophy of original founder Colin Reese.

Current owner Aaron Rink started out himself as one of Colin’s apprentices back in 1990 and he is one of the large majority of Waikato plumbing business owners to have come through CF Reese.

“It’s an important philosophy, and we’re just doing our best to carry it through,” says General Manager Dave Morgan. Six of the organisation’s current 24 staff are apprentices, and they bring on one or two new trainees each year. It’s how they stay ahead of the well-publicised skills shortages (New Zealand currently needs 30% more qualified plumbers to join the workforce to meet demand), and help upskill the industry as a whole.

“A shortage of skills is one of our biggest barriers,” says Dave. “We really ramped up our training about five years ago when we saw it coming, and we’d really like to see a lot of other organisations adopt the same philosophy. Training apprentices is really the only way for our industry to succeed.”

“The word I’d use is nurturing,” Gary says. “It’s having that guidance and support, so apprentices don’t feel afraid to step forward and tackle issues—because that’s how they grow.”

“There wouldn’t be too many organisations that have a dedicated guy with Gary’s experience,” says Dave.

For many of the apprentices, their first encounter with CF Reese is through the Gateway programme. The company then often takes them on through Masterlink, including the two Dave is looking to bring on at the moment.

“That comes down to the strength of the Masterlink Regional Manager, and Russell Walsh aligns really well with our values,” says Dave. “It makes our job of training them a lot easier.”

New apprentices may have had no training at all, or they may have completed a pre-trade course before they start. Gary says they gauge an apprentice’s skill level so they can be appropriately challenged when they begin. Once they have the basics down pat, they start accompanying qualified plumbers on jobs.

“That’s where they learn some of the hands-on skills, and some of the softer skills in dealing with customers, working ethically and so on,” says Gary. “We gradually put them onto larger projects, so they’re developing problem solving skills, and as they enter their third or fourth year we’ll start putting them into a van and allowing them to tackle certain jobs with a sense of independence.

“We’ve got good tradespeople, who are great with handling and training the apprentices, so there’s a support network to help them figure out how to deal with things. We do things like video calling so they’re not alone, but they get a good opportunity to stand on their own two feet.”

“Training apprentices is really the only way for our industry to succeed.”

Cementing block course learning

In-house apprentice mentoring Apprentices at CF Reese have the bonus of a dedicated apprentice mentor. Gary Hutchings has worked in plumbing for 30 years, half of that time as a plumbing tutor.

Gary is responsible for training and looking after the apprentices, including preparing them for block courses.

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DAVE MORGAN General Manager, CF Reese Plumbing, Hamilton

Gary spends a lot of his time working with apprentices both before and after block courses. He says it’s important they’re prepared beforehand, but also that they cement their learnings each time.

Master Plumbers

MEMBER PROFILE

CF Reese Plumbing is a large player in Hamilton, with a current team of 24, including six apprentices.

“When the results come back, we have a post-block course review looking at how it went, what they got out of it, what they think, the skills they’ve picked up, and then we start preparing for the next one.”

Gary and Dave work closely together to ensure apprentices get the right level of work to challenge them, without asking too much of them. Dave says one of the advantages of being a larger company means they have a good variety of projects, and can often cater for the stage apprentices are at.

“We can often tailor an apprentice’s work to coincide with a block course they’re undertaking. Apprentices all spend time in response, key account and commercial departments, so they get experience in all parts of being a plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer.”

finals—including Cody Hall, who went on to represent the Waikato/Taranaki region at the national final this February.

CF Reese consider these honours a great reward for anyone who wins them, but say they get immense satisfaction from watching the way all their apprentices develop.

“We’ve got a fourth year apprentice, Cam, who’s absolutely awesome,” Gary says. “The customers just love him. He does some really good work and he’s willing to ask

questions— that’s key. They’re gonna make mistakes, but it’s about learning from those mistakes and having a support network to work through them where they occur.

“One of our clients, an elderly lady, offered Cam her personal vehicle in her will… It is a classic vehicle, and she was adamant that when she passes, whenever it happens, she was going to leave him her vintage vehicle out of appreciation for what a great man he is. It was unreal.”

Reaping the rewards CF Reese’s very deliberate approach to mentoring apprentices is clearly working.

The company has won two regional awards for being a training leader, most recently in 2020, and many apprentices have won individual honours as well.

The company is a long-time supporter of the Plumbing World Young Plumber of the Year competition, and had staff involved in the 2021 branch and regional

Gary Hutchings (right) is CF Reese Plumbing’s dedicated apprentice mentor. He’s shown here with Mary Martin from Skills and CF Reese team member Kerryn Reardon, a Certifying Gasfitter and Plumber, who has recently completed his drainlaying apprenticeship.

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Master Plumbers

PLATINUM PARTNER PROFILE

A

Globally, Alixias has a goal to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2025 , helping Marley reduce its CO2 emissions by 75% per tonne of production on its sites.

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s of 1 November 2021, Marley (as part of the Aliaxis New Zealand group) has joined Meridian Energy’s Certified Renewable Electricity Generation programme.

Marley is proud to be with Meridian because they’re leaders in sustainability and are committed to only generating electricity from 100% renewable sources—wind, water and sun.

Meridian’s Certified Renewable Electricity Generation product allows Marley to purchase renewable energy certificates to verify that the amount of electricity it uses from the grid is matched on an annual basis with electricity produced from Meridian’s certified hydro stations and wind farms.

Committing to this programme enables Aliaxis NZ to report Marley’s Scope 2 electricity emissions as zero.* “By supporting this programme, we hope other businesses will get on board to drive demand for renewable energy and enable all other energy generators to invest in renewable energy and drive New Zealand towards its own goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030,” says Marley.

See www.meridian.co.nz/certified for more info. *Using the market-based reporting methodology as per the GHG Protocol’s Scope 2 Standards.

Helping you choose the right products

Master Plumbers 2021 Plumbing Product of the Year KOHLER MallecoTM Touchless Kitchen Mixer

• Built to last • Reputable suppliers

• Stylish and functional • Manufacturer’s warranty

We put each and every Master Plumbers’ Recommends plumbing product to the test. When the product has met all the requirements, then it gets our tick of approval. Helping you to choose plumbing products that are right for your home.

Find out more about Master Plumbers’ Recommends by visiting tickofapproval.co.nz or phone 0800 502 105.

LOOK OUT FOR PLENTY OF ACTIVITES AND PROMOTIONS IN 2022 AS MASTERLINK CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF TRAINING PGD APPRENTICES.

Celebrating 20 years of Masterlink!

Masterlink was established by Master Plumbers in 2002 to provide specialist training support to businesses and apprentice candidates in our industry.

We’ve come a long way—and grown considerably— since those early days when the operation kicked off with one coordinator and a fax machine… but our objectives remain the same.

We’re still working to increase the number of new entrants to our industry and employers involved in training, while also maintaining standards of excellence that will create a highly skilled and flexible training force.

Hundreds of apprentices have gained their qualifications over the past 20 years with Masterlink’s support—with many going on to start their own businesses and pass their skills on to the next generation.

In 2022, we are proud to be the largest nationwide apprentice training scheme specialising in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying trades.

“Our focus this year is to build on our strong foundations towards an exciting future,” says General Manager Steve Strawbridge. “Masterlink is delighted to be working even more closely with our business partners and in coming months we will be unveiling new plans and initiatives to benefit our apprentices, our host companies—and our wider industry.”

Watch this space!

WHERE ARE YOU TODAY? As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, we’re reconnecting with our original apprentices and employees to hear their Masterlink memories and find out where they’re at now. Like to share your experiences? Please contact one of our RMs or call Jo Caine on 021 779 623.

APPRENTICE GROWTH IN THE SOUTH With Masterlink experiencing significant growth in the South Island, we’re delighted to welcome Abbie Buchanan as our new Lower South Island Regional Coordinator, assisting Regional Manager Brendan Parker.

Based in her home town of Dunedin, Abbie looks forward to building relationships with hosts and apprentices, and helping people who are interested in a plumbing trade into an apprenticeship. She comes to Masterlink from Dulux, where she was a Territory Manager.

A keen mountain biker, runner (training for her first marathon) and netball player, with a partner in the Fire Service, Abbie says she is kept busy outside of work renovating her home and running around after her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter!

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Lower South Island Regional Coordinator Abbie Buchanan.

Master Plumbers

SHOUT OUT TO MAKITA

Huge thanks to Makita for getting behind Masterlink’s ‘12 Days of Christmas’ campaign. With Makita’s awesome support, we gave away thousands of dollars’ worth of amazing prizes to our draw winners. Well done to all and we hope you enjoy your goodies!

Masterlink RM Colin Kilpatrick and lucky winner Reid Szopa with his Makita Cordless Cooler & Warmer Box. Reid is a third-year PGD apprentice at Illingworth Plumbing in Auckland.

First year Masterlink apprentice Emma de Salis, of McBeth Plumbing & Gas, says it was amazing to win this a Makita Ultimate Tool tote with a great range of hand tools.

Masterlink apprentices Daniel Wells and Josh Clegg of Rangiora Plumbing both came up trumps in 2021: Daniel winning the Weber Baby Q barbecue and Josh being awarded a Lockdown Prize Pack for completing study, including Masterlink Training online courses, earlier in the year.

The Makita Cordless Inflator went to DeVante Cassin, a second-year Masterlink apprentice hosted by Tech Mechanical in Napier.

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

Pete Shields Business Development Manager 021 289 0255

Rupert Sanford-Scutt Auckland & Northland 027 558 5441

Colin Kilpatrick Auckland 021 773 296

Russell Walsh Central North Island 027 600 9929

MASTERLINK

Masterlink milestones WELCOME Welcome on board to our newest Masterlink apprentices—and a big thank you to their host employers!

Peter Kapua Summit Plumbing, Papamoa Tau Singh MD Plumbing Tauranga Nathan Kirk Luke Rawlinson Plumbing & Gas, Rotorua Mathew Jeffels Hi Spec Plumbing, Auckland Sebastian Snook Titirangi Plumbing and Drainage, Auckland Wade Cookson Marlborough Plumbing and Heating, Blenheim Alex Bae CJ Cant Plumbing, Hamilton Joseph Fray Heron Plumbing, Auckland Samuel Carter Ben Mayne Plumbing, Auckland Joshua Hills Scotties Potties, Wellington Ben McCloskey Next Level Plumbing, Auckland Caleb Howard Pauanui Plumbing, Pauanui Henry Lockton McIvor Plumbers & Gasfitters Wanaka Ryan Staite Tuffnell Plumbing Drainage & Gas Arju Gurung Pooman, Christchurch Joshua Burnie Kumeu Plumbing, Auckland Aaron Moran Whitehead Plumbing and Gas

QUALIFIED Bob McCoy Lower North Island 027 479 0075

Sam Timlin Upper South Island 021 433 615

Brendan Parker Lower South Island 021 644 560

Abbie Buchanan Lower South Island 021 456 934

Gasfitting has a bright future!

Congratulations to our five Gasfitting National Certificate recipients: Stephen Chapman, Kieran Davies, Craig Evans, Sean Kennedy and Mitchell Stringer.

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BE A MASTER PLUMBER

Be the best you can be - for your customers, your staff and your business.

Branding – logo and vehicle decals Fuel discounts with Mobilcard Business Partner deals exclusive to members Master Plumbers health & safety app Health & Safety resources and support Technical support from PGD experts Job leads from our Find a Plumber search tool 12 month consumer guarantee HR resources, guidelines and support Advocating for member and industry interests Networking opportunities Professional development training Latest industry news

Find out more at masterplumbers.org.nz or call 0800 502 102

FINANCE

Business smarts

WHAT’S YOUR

PLAN? What do you want for your business in 2022? If it’s growth, success and the competitive advantage, a business plan will help get you there, as Brett Crombie explains.

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Business smarts FINANCE

F

or self-employed tradespeople and small business owners, the return to work can come with a sense of enthusiasm and excitement, or apathy and anxiety. For many it is a combination of all these, simply picking up the tools and sliding back into the old tempo and habits.

One of the most powerful ways to start off the year positively is to review and reset your business plan.

Why do I need a business plan?

According to international research*, only 20% of small business owners have a business plan. It’s an unfortunate fact that only 50% of businesses survive five years or more but, of those that do, 70% have a business plan. Businesses with a business plan are also 7% more likely to achieve high growth.

By being one of the few businesses with a business plan, your chances of success are much greater, and your business will likely grow faster too. A clear business plan brings focus and discipline to your business. It also gives you a competitive advantage, just as having a reputation as an exceptional plumber does.

certain things you’ve ‘assumed’ to be true—and when this is done in a constructive way, it will always result in a sounder, stronger plan.

The sense of focus and motivation that comes from a fresh business plan is one of the best kickstarts you can give your business and is highly likely to result in a more successful and profitable year. *SOURCES: www.hoodsweeney.com.au/assets/publications/Hood-Sweeney-SME-Research-Executive-Summary-2017-18.pdf www.forbes.com/sites/jasonnazar/2013/09/09/16-surprising-statistics-about-small-businesses/#62dbac535ec8 hbr.org/2017/07/research-writing-a-business-plan-makes-your-startup-more-likely-to-succeed

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

What’s in a business plan?

There are several models and templates. A quick-fire plan centred around identifying your business Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (a SWOT analysis) could be just a few pages long. A detailed plan might run to 30 or more pages, including a SWOT analysis along with analysis of your market and competitors, details of your marketing strategy as well as a full cashflow projection and financial plan.

How do I get started?

The site www.business.govt.nz has good free template resources.

If you’re starting from scratch, I recommend setting aside several hours over a period of a few weeks to complete your business plan.

The best business plans are joint efforts. Obviously if you’re in partnership or a co-owner of the business, the planning should be done together so you’re all on the same page.

Your accountant or other external business advisor should also be a key person in the business planning process. They might question

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Branch Manager – Putāruru 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.

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

• •

Re-inventing the way people access water outdoors The Aquor House Hydrant is the ultimate, ‘no compromise’ hose tap; easy to use, durable, eco-friendly, and better looking than anything on the market.

The Aquor New Zealand hose tap range incorporates the best of form meets function.

Business smarts YOUR PEOPLE, YOUR WELLBEING

Bullying must stop Workplace bullying damages people’s mental health and business reputations, says Master Plumbers HR Manager Lisa Duston.

The construction industry can be hazardous place to work. On-site jobs pose some obvious physical risks, but there are mental health hazards, too.

Whilst accidents can be put down to the occupational risk of working on construction sites, the disproportionate rates of mental health harm in this industry cannot.

Unfortunately, poor mental health in the workplace is commonly attributed to bullying.

We often hear of instances of bullying at all levels of the plumbing industry, from employers and tradespeople to apprentices.

It’s fair to say that working in trades is not for the faint of heart, but constant jibes, attacks and sarcastic comments take their toll on people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Physically demanding work has traditionally been associated with male

KEREAMA CARMODY Master Plumbers Wellbeing Guy

OK AS YOU ARE

Kia ora team, I hope your break was restful and quality time was spent with family and friends. As we head into 2022, you may be feeling an expectation to make some New Year resolutions. These usually

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toughness and ‘macho’ workplace cultures.

But it’s this attitude that is largely responsible for poor mental health among tradespeople.

The construction industry needs to move on from this toxic mentality. This is not our world anymore and this type of behaviour can do very real damage to a person’s mental health and their relationship with the business that employs them.

Employers can find themselves facing a personal grievance claim as a result of banter and jokes going too far. It’s a very expensive process going through the Employment Relations Authority, and there’s also a huge cost in terms of reputational damage.

At a time when there is a real shortage of good workers, the advantages of being a good employer are critical to business success.

involve trying to better ourselves and setting some goals—some achievable and some not so achievable.

We live in a culture that often tells us (intentionally or unintentionally) that we are not enough. That we need to be more driven, fitter, eating better, having better relationships, having more ‘stuff’ and so on.

While it’s great to want to get healthier and to aim for goals, this type of pressure can make us feel we’re not enough, which can result in us being anxious and depressed. This is compounded by living in a world of global uncertainty, caused mainly by the pandemic. We all want to get back to the way things were, instead of just accepting the way things are now.

Over the last year I’ve started to accept that I can only control what I have the power to control… me. Something I’ve been reflecting on is that, fundamentally, we’re all OK as we are. Remembering this when we’re going through life’s

The Master Plumbers HR team have developed a Bullying and Harassment Policy for members to use in their businesses. Maybe it’s time to review what is acceptable and unacceptable conduct in your workplace!

Find the Bullying and Harassment Policy in the member log-in at www.masterplumbers.org.nz (under Human Resources).

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

challenges will help us realise that we’re enough just as we are.

I recently listened to a podcast that reinforced this: Untangled—mindfulness for curious humans— January 6th 2022.

The New Year podcast that lets you simply return to being you.

Check it out.

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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Will your year be good or bad? Sam Tyson looks over 2021 and has some thoughts on how to make 2022 the best one yet.

T

owards the end of last year, I took on a bit of victim mentality, and found myself spiralling down into a ‘poor me’ abyss where I was constantly broadcasting what a rough year I was having. All the goals we wanted to achieve in the business had been thrown out the window, and everything was too hard right now. I was feeling truly sorry for myself, which is unlike me. I was feeling resentful that I was having to make all these decisions around Covid-19 that I shouldn’t have to be making, and, come December, I actually believe I had ‘decision fatigue’.

a friend, an employee— that would truly be awful. If I’d had to close the business, if we had lost all our income, our house, our savings, our relationship. Or if I, or someone I love, had got really sick with Covid or cancer, or I had badly injured myself. All these things are bad, and it would definitely have been a rough year if they had happened.

How did you show up?

Over the holidays, I got to wondering, what determines whether I had a rough year or a great year or anywhere in between? Is it about the results? Would it have been a great year if the business had achieved all its goals, if we made lots of money, if I walked the length of the North Island like I said I was going to do, or lost 5kg, brought the new car, or finished our renovations?

Would it have been a great year if I had achieved all these things?

There is a third option on classifying whether your year was good or bad, and that is how did you show up? In the midst of Covid, in the midst of any challenges you may have faced, how did you show up? Did you show up as a victim like I did, feeling sorry for myself, and being angry that the things that were happening weren’t part of my plan?

Did you show up in a state of fear over the things that were out of your control? Or did you show up with courage and confidence, love and empathy. Did you lead your people through all this diversity with an open mind, optimism and discipline?

Thinking all this through has made me realise that what determines the quality of your year is who you become.

Did anything really bad happen?

What did you learn?

Another way I could determine whether it was good or bad would be to look at what happened to me. If someone I was close to had died, for instance—a partner, a relative,

Last year certainly made me stronger. The business is also stronger as we have had to become more technology based and think more creatively about how we do everyday

Was it about the results?

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“What determines the quality of your year is who you become” things. Our health and safety processes are more robust. Our communication and feedback with our team has expanded and we have more channels through which we can connect.

As a business, we have learnt how to quickly change direction and adapt to what we have on hand, and quickly seize opportunities that pop up. Even our customers have been more kind, tolerant and accepting.

This year I am going to show up and be the best version of myself—and be at peace with the things I can’t change. I am also going to do this with my business. It’s going to be the best year ever!

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.

Business smarts EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVES

I NEED HELP... NOW! Foleys Marketing Manager Tracy Pleasants considers the effects on plumbing companies of the real-time, instant society we live in.

One of my biggest learnings on joining Foleys as Marketing Manager over four years ago was that, even though most of us now communicate online for everything, our customers still pick up the phone and call us. Maybe not so much for a quote, but almost always when they need a job done—especially if it is urgent. It amazed me at the time but, given some thought, it’s not really that surprising.

While we no longer get job requests by fax, this space has seamlessly been filled by 0800 numbers, direct dials, emails, search engine forms, social media messaging and web forms.

Of all these options, the phone is still seen as quick and reliable.

When our customers need us and it’s urgent, they want to be sure that we will respond immediately.

From my own experience of using web-based forms, all too often I’ve not heard back from the company I contacted, or I didn’t think I had because the reply ended up in my junk folder.

For those customers who do use our online contact services, we now have a company rule to monitor the digital notifications that show us how long it has taken us to reply.

When we are measuring our success in providing an amazing customer experience, to see that it sometimes took us hours, not minutes, to respond to an online request might reinforce the idea that our customers would have been better to pick up the phone.

However, these notifications don’t take into consideration any requests sent late in the evening and attended to first thing the next morning.

When all is said and done, no matter how a customer gets in contact with us, our priority is that the experience needs to be easy—and our customers must have full confidence we will get back to them in a timely manner (read quickly!).

About the author: Tracy Pleasants is the Marketing Manager for Foleys based in Dunedin. Foleys is a plumbing, drainlaying gasfitting, electrical and mechanical company with 13 branches across the South Island and Palmerston North, Putāruru and Rotorua.

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Business smarts INSURANCE ADVICE

REAL RISKS IN A VIRTUAL WORLD

In the final part of our series on the business covers you need, Master Plumbers Insurance boldly goes where risks are invisible and costs are astronomical…

A wise man, quite possibly a plumber, once said, “Just because you can’t see something’s wrong, doesn’t mean it’s not.”

In today’s world of connected workplaces, digital transactions and information exchanged electronically by email, or even phone, every business faces the invisible risk of cybercrime.

All plumbing businesses use technology regularly to conduct business and to communicate to customers, suppliers and employees. This data and information is both sensitive and vital to your business, so any breach of your office system or other electronic tools, such as a smartphone or laptop, will have a significant impact on the continuity of your business—and could also affect your liability to your clients.

The Cyber Cover included in your Master Plumbers Insurance programme will protect your business against cyberrelated losses whether they are costs your business suffers (First Party loss) or costs incurred by your customers or suppliers (Third Party losses). The most critical part of the cover is that the policy will give you access to experts to identify, treat and repair the problem.

Of course you can also help yourself.

In New Zealand and internationally, human error is a major contributor to data breaches: staff paying invoices without checking bank account details or accepting an imposter’s instruction to transfer funds, for example. Make sure you and your staff are alert to the hidden cyber risk and

always check before making payments— and have smartphones, tablets and laptops encoded for added security.

When you consider insurance for your business, don’t forget about the invisible risks you face virtually every day. Make sure you tick every box when it comes to the Master Plumbers insurance cover you need.

About the author: Cyber insurance is now included in the exclusive Master Plumbers Insurance programme from Crombie Lockwood. Crombie Lockwood look after hundreds of plumbing businesses. If you need advice or just help with understanding your current insurances, email vaughan.bridges@crombielockwood.co.nz

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TEACHING ONLINE:

Career starters

KEEPING IT REAL When Springhill Prison went into a different kind of lockdown due to Covid-19, their plumbing tutor Olaf Sparrow was released back to Wintec with a new challenge—to teach plumbing online.

F

or the best part of nine years, Olaf (Ollie) Sparrow—a former plumber, high school teacher and soldier in the New Zealand Army—has taught his trade at Springhill Prison, along with two other Wintec tutors who teach carpentry and painting.

The workshop was always his classroom, but that changed with the Covid-19 lockdowns. “Covid-19 really disrupted students’ learning and the hands-on experience they usually get,” he says. “We’ve been helping them online, so they are getting supported.”

What they’ve been doing is really important to keep the engagement happening to help learners get through,

says Ollie. Back at Wintec, he and colleague Dan Roling are teaching the Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying.

Ollie is the first to admit it takes a special kind of effort to deliver practical training via a laptop from the kitchen table, while also looking after his own children—a situation many working parents faced during the lockdowns.

“You can’t work all day when they are also having to learn from home. You need to accept that it’s not your normal work routine.”

During the first lockdown of 2021, he decided to involve his kids in producing a series of simple

Ollie is teaching practical skills online to ensure any future lockdowns are not a barrier to students’ success.

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Career starters TUTOR PROFILE

Wintec plumbing tutor Ollie Sparrow with his children, Charlotte, aged 10, and Connor, 11, who helped him make a series of plumbing videos for pre-apprentice learners. “I put my overalls on, set up in the garden, my daughter did the editing, and my son was our director,” he says.

plumbing videos to ensure students had what they needed to get through.

They were aimed at pre-apprentice level tauira/learners. And they worked. “I put my overalls on, set up in the garden, my daughter did the editing, and my son was our director.”

He says it was important that his videos reflect the trades environment. “There is banter, there are a few laughs and I draw on my own experience. My videos are low production—I’ll admit they can be a bit corny—but I try to make them relatable.”

It’s about just giving it a go, he says.

“What I am doing is not Academy Award stuff. Involve your kids at home, even your cellphone is fine, put it on a lunch box. Use what you have and do what you have to do.

Don’t listen to your own voice too much. Be yourself. Be authentic.”

Sparrow’s ability to deliver the practical in a an often impractical way has since seen him sharing material with his students in prison and with other polytechnics across the Te Pūkenga network that Wintec is now part of. Sparrow and Roling have been delivering an online block course to Ara (Canterbury’s polytechnic) to help learners with their plumbing theory.

“This is a first. I got asked and, as we were already delivering online theory, it wasn’t difficult to extend it to another polytechnic within our network,” he says.

Wintec Team Manager Trades, Amy Opperman, had been in her new role for just six days when the last lockdown happened with just 24 hours’ warning.

“Before I joined the trades team, I’d often wondered how trades could be taught during a lockdown, when they have to

deliver practical learning. I could have panicked, but I soon discovered we are in pretty good hands. I am so proud to be the team manager of these guys.”

Sparrow says there are a lot of teachers in his family—so maybe teaching was in his genes. “If you don’t mind talking in front of people, it is a natural fit,” he says. “Teaching is about relationships, getting to know people and enjoying what you do. Someone taught me when I was a plumbing apprentice, and I am in a position to pass it on.”

Now he’s back in the workshop, Sparrow has collaborated with Wintec to reproduce his 10-minute Tool Time videos, which are available on YouTube. Watch and learn!

Find Ollie’s videos on You Tube under ‘Ollie’s Tools Videos’.

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Career starters RoVE

It will take everyone working together to deliver the change the vocational education system deserves, says Philip Aldridge, CEO of Waihanga Ara Rau, in this interview with NZ Plumber.

O

n 4 October 2021, a key part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s reimagined vocational education system came into being: six Workforce Development Councils (WDCs).

The mandate of these industry-led, government enabled bodies? To have a strategic view of the future skills needs of industries to and translate them into relevant, readily accessible industry qualifications and skills standards.

Philip Aldridge, Chief Executive, Waihanga Ara Rau.

“The right people, with the right skills” Philip Aldridge is the Chief Executive of Waihanga Ara Rau, the WDC representing a range of diverse industries across construction and infrastructure, including plumbing, water, gas, electricity, telecommunication, roading and concrete.

With an extensive background in commercial enterprises, including Telecom, Government and NGOs, Phil was also involved in leading initiatives to improve the labour supply as part of the Canterbury Rebuild, in conjunction with industry, education providers and Government agencies.

“Waihanga Ara Rau has a resolute commitment to ‘working with’ not ‘doing to’ industry.”

PHILIP ALDRIDGE Chief Executive, Waihanga Ara Rau He joined Waihanga Ara Rau after a successful tenure as the Executive Director of the Health and Safety Association of NZ (HASANZ) and is supported by a rapidly growing team.

Phil has deep experience of the construction and infrastructure sectors. His strong connections with industry representatives mean he has an innate understanding of the opportunities

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Career starters RoVE

The construction and infrastructure Workforce Development Council, Waihanga Ara Rau, wants to make sure training standards are high and consistent for apprentices.

presented by the reform of vocational education—and the challenges business and employers are facing.

“I feel proud and privileged to be part of this opportunity to enable aspirations for our construction and infrastructure industries and the development of qualified people for work that we are imagining now. We need to make sure learners can fulfil their potential and that employers have the right people, with the right skills, at the right time.

“I have already had a number of discussions with Master Plumbers, the Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board [PGDB], and individual companies on how we work together. One initial success has been the implementation of a unified programme at Level 3 to improve the consistency and standard of delivery across the motu. This has been in collaboration with Master Plumbers, Te Pūkenga and the wider industry.”

“Industry is an integral part of the picture” Waihanga Ara Rau—like all WDCs—has a resolute commitment to ‘working with’ not ‘doing to’ industry. All WDCs will be prioritising a relationship with industry based on reciprocity and respect.

“We must start as we mean to go on.

First and foremost, this means establishing

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genuine ways of working. Collaboration is part of our DNA, and it will take all parts of the system working together, not competing, to deliver the change the system deserves. The WDCs are the nexus between government, regulators and of course industry. Industry is an integral part of the picture.

“We will enact our values, not just espouse them—and this begins with robust, meaningful engagement. Communication isn’t a one-way street. Our engagement team will be out in the regions across the motu in 2022, gathering insights that will inform and influence our ways of working.

We’re also setting up channels with legitimate feedback loops—our LinkedIn, newsletter and other platforms in the pipeline will be pivotal for us to establish and maintain key relationships.”

“Our changes can’t wait” Phil says Waihanga Ara Rau knows that industry intelligence and monitoring of market movements—on home soil and offshore—will be a critical part of helping the WDC and the wider vocational education system to respond proactively rather than reactively.

“Our changes can’t wait. Emerging technologies, the climate crisis, Covid-19, and global challenges mean we must rapidly respond by evolving the ways that

we work. We also need to swiftly address the chronic workforce shortages. The construction and infrastructure sectors are experiencing an unprecedented boom and shortages are being compounded by cost increases, supply chain issues and Covid-19 uncertainties.”

Phil says that integral to addressing workforce shortages is ensuring equitable opportunities for all learners to gain the knowledge, skills and training that will set them—and their employers—up for success.

“We want to make sure training standards are high and consistent for existing construction and infrastructure workers. We need to attract more people— diverse people—in the trades by creating more innovative learning and training opportunities. It is especially important that we do more to support Māori, Pacific peoples and women to succeed in construction and infrastructure.”

The Government is responding to the supply and demand imbalance in the sector and societal needs by introducing a range of initiatives, including free training for apprentices and Apprenticeship Boost Payments to encourage employers to take on more apprentices.

Keep an eye on the Waihanga Ara Rau website for progress updates: www.waihanga.nz

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Career starters APPRENTICE PROFILE

Matt Bird was a late comer to the plumbing industry but a desire to be a better person for himself and his family has turned him into an award-winner, as NZ Plumber finds out.

AUTHOR: MATTHEW LOWE

“I

grew up in Papakura, south Auckland, and grew up around the wrong people doing the wrong things, making the wrong choices and did not have the strong family to tell me what is and isn’t good,” says plumbing and gasfitting apprentice Matt Bird.

Now 32, Matt is two years into his apprenticeship with Hunter Plumbing and Drainage in Blenheim and, with an eagerness to learn, he says every day is like a school day to him. His success as an apprentice was recognised when he won the Plumbing World Scholarship at the 2021 NZ Plumbing Awards, held in Blenheim.

It all marks a major turnaround for Matt after brushes with the law in his youth and a general lack of direction in life.

“I got to my early 20s and something had to give. I was getting into trouble with the law and I was going nowhere. There comes a point in time where you have to realise you’re doing something wrong and it comes down to you to change.”

Matt gives a lot of credit to his wife Elaine and their family of four children—aged nine to 14—for helping him to make major changes. “I went through a bit of an episode and woke up in hospital, and the first thing that went through my mind was my daughter.

“Thinking about her really made me pull my head in. I moved on with life and got married and had another kid, and we became a big family as my wife already had two children. It’s been onwards and

upwards since I started looking at the positives and how to make things better.

“We moved to Blenheim about three-anda-half years ago and we haven’t looked back.”

Honesty and openness Matt says being an older apprentice has its advantages, including extra life experience when dealing with people from a variety of backgrounds.

“You’ve just got to be open and honest with people. I think the most challenging I had was a Housing New Zealand tenant with a history of substance abuse, which has led to paranoia,” he adds. “Trying to contact the tenant was challenging, but when I

managed to gain access to the property, I found she was a lovely person. I explained step-by-step what I was doing while at the same time talking about things we had in common to put her mind at ease.

“I think this helped her regain trust in people as well as teaching me that some people simply need more attention and assistance than others.”

No sugar-coating Matt had worked in a tyre shop, on building sites and as a home handyman over the years but decided to embark on a plumbing career after calling on Hunter Plumbing and Drainage to do some work.

Matt and Elaine Bird on their wedding day with their children.

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Career starters APPRENTICE PROFILE

Matt Bird, second from right, with colleagues from Hunter Plumbing & Drainage

Chatting with the plumber made Matt realise he wanted to become a tradesman and he contacted plumbing companies across Blenheim to ask about apprenticeships. By coincidence, Matt ended up joining Hunter Plumbing and Drainage after owner Guy Hunter was the only one to return his enquiries.

“He’s great and a firm but fair boss. He doesn’t sugar-coat anything, which to me is a good thing because I know exactly where I stand with him and want to know what I can be doing better,” says Matt.

He also praises the efforts of Sam Timlin, Masterlink Upper South Island Regional Manager, for helping him develop as an apprentice. “I wouldn’t be here doing what I am without the opportunity Guy has given me, and Sam has helped with mentoring, paperwork and goes above and beyond for apprentices.

“I’d like to stay with Guy for a decent amount of time. He’s done a lot for me by getting my foot in the door of the industry and I’d like to return the favour by giving him some good years of service.”

Matt Bird has enjoyed a diverse range of experiences in his apprenticeship, including inspecting this septic tank for possible leaks.

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Guy says Matt has been a pretty easy apprentice to deal with and is honest, dependable, hard-working, has a good sense of humour and is always offering to help other people.

“His honesty is one thing that has always come through,” says Guy. “He got into a bit of trouble as a young adult but when Matt started a family of his own he took a hard look at his situation and realised he needed to change his life.

Personal and professional growth “Matt has made a complete 180° from where he was only a few years ago. His past was his past and not his past with me, so we were able to focus on what he wanted to do now and in the future. He’s very family-orientated and wanted to be that father-husband provider type and that’s why he’s just knuckled down and got on with the work.”

Sam also lauds Matt’s efforts and the support he has received from Hunter Plumbing and Drainage, adding that the company has provided Matt with an opportunity for personal and professional growth.

“Being an adult apprentice, Matt was a lot more mature than the average apprentice and his work ethic has been second to none,” says Sam. “What he’s achieved so far has been great and I’m sure he will stick to this and be very successful in his future.

“You also can’t say enough about Hunter Plumbing and the support and training they offer apprentices. Guy has done a good job in teeing Matt up to be successful.”

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ON THE SIDE Stu’s 1970 SS Camaro (right) and 1956 Chevy Coupe.

And finally...

10 MINUTES WITH...

Stu McIvor

Stu McIvor is the owner and operator of McIvor Plumbers and Gasfitters Wanaka. He’s also had a 25-year passion for restoring classic muscle cars.

H

AUTHOR: NICK WALKER

ow did you get into cars?

Right from when I was a teenager, I was mucking around with cars, pulling them to bits and redoing them. You can call me a motorhead, I guess. Classic muscle cars were iconic to me, especially ones from the Sixties and Seventies.

What cars do you own?

The first one was a 1970 SS Camaro. I bought it off a local guy in Wanaka; we stripped it all the way down and rebuilt the whole car. That took around four and a half years.

The next one was a 1956 two-door Chevy Coupe.

That was another ground-up restoration that ‘only’ took three and a half years, and I’ve got a 1970 Dodge Challenger on the restoration block at the moment.

There were only 386 of them ever made, so it deserves to go back the way it came off the production line.

Stu has been into muscle cars since he was a teenager.

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And finally... ON THE SIDE

A 1970 Dodge Challenger is Stu’s latest project.

“It’s always a rollercoaster ride when you get a new car and you get to see what’s under the paint, what’s under the hood and what you’re in for.”

STU MCIVOR Owner/operator of McIvor Plumbers and Gasfitters Wanaka Do you do all the work on them yourself?

I’m definitely not a mechanic, but I’ve built up enough knowledge to do most of what I need to do. I get a friend to do the technical motor stuff, and I don’t do the painting.

I run all the wiring and get an electrician to hook it all up. But it’s not just a throw together job—it’s got to be done properly.

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It’s always a rollercoaster ride when you get a new car and you get to see what’s under the paint, what’s under the hood and what you’re in for. If you had to pay someone to do up these kinds of cars, they’d cost a huge amount of money, but it’s nice to be able to do it yourself.

What do you like about it?

It’s a hobby and I just do it when I get the time. I often don’t, but when I do it’s nice to get out in the shed and immerse yourself in something different from plumbing. Even if it’s just at night when you get a few minutes, it can take your mind off everything else you’re doing. I’ve got a good shed with a hoist, which makes it a bit easier.

What do you do with the cars once they’re finished?

I don’t do it for car shows or anything like that—although we went to the Cromwell Car Show last year and the ‘56 Chevy took

out a Judge’s Choice, Top 10 Choice and the People’s Choice. That was amazing. It’s quite humbling when people vote for your vehicle.

Mostly though, I build them for my wife and myself to use. They’ve never been economical on fuel, but you don’t drive them much. They’re more of a collector’s item.

I’m not part of a club or anything, but we’ve got like-minded friends that we take on car runs or a drive to a winery on a Sunday. It’s very laid back but it’s a lot of fun.

What car is next on your wish list?

Next I really want to do a ‘56 Chevy Pickup.

Normally I keep an eye on what’s going up for sale—the Challenger was imported by a guy in Christchurch whose father found it for him in California.

These sorts of vehicles are getting harder and harder to find. They’re still about, but a lot of them are in America and you need to be watching the right websites to see what’s floating around.

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Desperate & deadly This worrying gas installation was found by one of the response maintenance team at CF Reese Plumbing in Hamilton. “When the HWC was stolen, the tenants decided to take matters into their own hands to have a hot shower.

Using a garden hose and some duct tape, they hooked up this gas water heater into their bathroom, then connected the outlet to a shower hand piece. Resourceful but very deadly. Of course we removed it immediately. I do wonder how much of this is going on in our communities.”

Pile up Thanks to Sam Tyson of Climate & Plumbing for sending in this photo. “Called to site as their gas hot water unit was not heating their water and found this setup. Will be replacing unit and making their gas connection compliant,” she says.

Proof, if proof were needed, that there’s no place for DIYers and fly-by-nights when it comes to plumbing, drainage and gas work.

Down and dirty “This could not have been a plumber’s handy work,” says Mick Kelly.

“Climbed under the house to connect a different pipe when I spotted this.”

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And finally... DODGY PLUMBING

Califont catastrophe “Found this dodgy set up when called to site because califont wouldn’t go,” says Chris of Laser Plumbing Te Puke. “8kg reg between bottles, laying face down, connected to califont with braided hose. Califont between two opening windows and below opening window. To top it off, it is a NG califont and he wondered why it was all black around flue. It has all been relocated.”

Just tell me why “I just have to ask why???” says Matt Noah of Jamark Plumbing, who sent in this photo. “Owner said the last occupier was a builder. Mmmmm, he should have known better. The job required was a leaking hot water cylinder, which wasn’t.”

WORK DONE WELL

Behind closed doors “Found this after returning to a job to do some plumbing six years after I’d fitted the unit,” says Gavin Ure. “Owner had built a fully enclosed carport over this hot water unit and the rest speaks for itself.”

Shout out to our readers for sending in dodgy plumbing, gas and drainage photos—we know these pages are a favourite.

We’d love you to send in photos of work done well, too. If you or your team have completed a really tidy install or complex project, send us some photos and we’ll look to feature them in NZ Plumber.

Let’s take pride in this industry’s expertise.

Email the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz

nzplumber

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And finally... DODGY PLUMBING

Roof garden?

“Best hydroponic tree in Gisborne,” says Rob of Rob Dobbie Plumbing.

Tight TPR Timber!

Tony Bloemendal of Laser Plumbing Morrinsville & Matamata found this beauty on a job. “Customer complained of a water leak and no pressure.

Wouldn’t tell me who did the work, but I suspect it was themselves or their mates... We still have unqualified people doing plumbing works.

Check out the timber work.”

“Found this mains pressure HWC jammed tight under a kitchen sink,” says Shaun Rosacker at Bell Plumbing.

“The TPR valve lever is tight under sink and could not be lifted at all. This could have been a potential bomb.”

All change “My father-in-law wondered why the fireplace stopped when the bottle changed over,” says Peter Mahady of this photo. “I’m surprised it was working at all.”

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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Triple barb design

Wider crimp area

Faster to install

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SecuraGold™ fittings have THREE barbs ensuring each crimp well engages the pipe three times

Our crimp tools have a wide jaw for a wide, more secure crimp area

Independent testing proved SecuraGold™ to be up to 60% faster to install than other trade systems

End caps protect the copper crimp ring and prevent the entry of dust and grime

Quick to spot

Seeing eyelet

Customer confidence

Interchangeable

End caps and tools are colourmatched for faster, easier installations, and red pipe clips quickly identify hot lines from cold

Fittings have a seeing eyelet so it’s easy to visually check that the pipe is fully engaged to the fitting

Our Producer statement lets you stand out from other plumbers by providing a quality written guarantee of the product

We warrant connections between other PB systems that comply with AS/NZS2642

25-year performance warranty

Backed by the big boys

We’re the experts

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SecuraGold™ is backed by a 25-year performance warranty, so you have protection for 25 years from the date of manufacture

We’re backed by an international organisation so if something went wrong, you won’t be left high & dry

Our technical team have been part of the Dux team for an average of 17 years each, our sales & marketing team 11 years

All non-conformance incidences are investigated & a written report given to the plumber for supply to homeowner or insurance company

We’ve got your back.

We’ve had it for over 30 years and we’ll have it for many more. www.dux.co.nz/securagold

Boss Gully Trap

The shortest boss around › uPVC – seamless integration into Marley OPTIM DWV System ®

› Just 199mm high – 20% shorter than standard uPVC option › Get the right fit and fall within shorter joist heights › AS/NZS 1260 compliant New Zealand patent application no. 753983, New Zealand design registration no. 426078 WaterMark Certification WMK20224

INNOVATIVE

230mm 230mm

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TRADITIONAL

BAD FIT

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LESS WORKAROUNDS | LESS TIME | LESS STRESS 0800 MARLEY (0800 627539) | www.marley.co.nz