Source: Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers
Master Plumbers is pleased to announce the winners and finalists awarded at the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards on Friday 2 May. The New Zealand Plumbing Awards wraps up our annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference, this year held in Brisbane, Australia.
Plumbing World Scholarships
Plumbing World Scholarships are awarded to three Masterlink apprentices who have demonstrated diligence in their assignment completions, and maturity and personal growth over the past year. They are a true asset to their Masterlink Host business.
Winners receive a $1,000 credit at Plumbing World, with the overall winner receiving registration, tickets and travel to the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Conference.
WINNER Blake Jones-Downes – McBeth Plumbing & Gas, Taupō
WINNER Rory van Vroonhoven – CF Reese Plumbing, Hamilton
OVERALL WINNER Trent Toomey – Gas & Water Limited, Dunedin
Mark Whitehead Training Leader of the Year
This award recognises an individual who has gone beyond the call of duty to help educate and support people entering the industry. The winner will have demonstrated a true commitment to young people entering the industry, and an understanding of efforts required in building knowledge and standards within the sector. He or she deserves to be recognised for hard work and dedication to strengthening the industry.
WINNER Jacob Smith – Plumbing & Gas Works, Hamilton
Product of the Year
This award recognises the significant contribution to product development of a company or individual in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry in the past year.
WINNER Aladdin Easyfit Isolator – Plumbing World
New Zealand Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer Employee of the Year
This award recognises excellence in the trade skills of an individual Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer, who is a respected member of their trade and known for their leadership skills. The winner will have demonstrated ability in trade calculations; in the selection of materials appropriate to the specifications and design of their work; and in applying relevant documentation and regulatory compliance to their work.
WINNER Darrin Minifie – DL Good Plumbers, Auckland
Outstanding Projects Award
The award recognises an exceptional project that displays excellence and high levels of innovative plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying methods, the use of new materials or the innovative use of existing materials.
WINNER Hockly Plumbers, Wellington, for their work on Ngā Mokopuna The Living Building
James Douglas Medallion
The prestigious James Douglas Medallion has been awarded each year since 1948. It recognises outstanding recently qualified tradespersons who have demonstrated hard work, commitment, and determination to achieve industry success. Young people are the lifeblood of our industry, and it is important we can attract and retain the best young people entering the workforce.
The overall James Douglas Medallion recipient will be chosen from these three finalists and will receive a $500 cash prize together with a Career Development Scholarship to the value of $2,500 from The Skills Organisation. This is a major prize designed to build the winner’s career progression.
PLUMBING FINALIST Andrew Smith – E.G. Glennie & Co Ltd
GASFITTING FINALIST Marieke Oram – Clyne and Bennie Ltd
DRAINLAYING FINALIST Daniel Collins – Evergreen Plumbing Group Ltd
WINNER Andrew Smith – E.G. Glennie & Co Ltd
Jackson Women in Plumbing
This award recognises a woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying industry.
WINNER Andrea Lovell – Heron Plumbing, Auckland
Graeme Victor Smith Contribution to the Industry
This award is presented in recognition of values important to Graeme Smith’s career and personal involvement in the industry. It recognises commitment to Master Plumbers, to the industry, to running a successful business and to developing young and future plumbers.
WINNER Aaron Rink – CF Reese Plumbing, Hamilton
Master Plumbers Business Partner of the Year
This award recognises a Master Plumbers business partner who is commitment to Master Plumbers as well as contributes and supports the success of the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry.
WINNER Allproof Industries
New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year
This award recognises a Master Plumbers member that can clearly demonstrate its business acumen and drive for success. The recipient will exemplify the highest levels of professionalism and service.
WINNER Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas
About the New Zealand Plumbing Awards
The New Zealand Plumbing Awards acknowledge the many positive achievements and success stories in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry and are presented at a gala dinner on the final night of the annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference. Organised by Master Plumbers, the national conference has been held for over 100 years and is the premier event in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry, with attendees coming from all over the country.
Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc (Master Plumbers) is the national membership organisation for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses, with 18 regional Associations and Branches across New Zealand. Companies go through a Quality Assurance programme in order to become a member. We provide members with a wide range of resources and training opportunities to support them in staying up with the latest technologies, products and compliance requirements. We advocate on behalf of our members and our industry.
Masterlink, a group training scheme owned by Master Plumbers, provides managed mentored apprenticeships across New Zealand, with Regional Managers supporting the apprentices and the businesses who host them during their training.
NZ Plumber is the award-winning, bi-monthly magazine for New Zealand’s plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. It is owned by Master Plumbers.
