Awards – 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Awards: Full List of Winners

Master Plumbers is pleased to announce the winners and finalists awarded at the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Awards on Friday 26 June. The New Zealand Plumbing Awards wraps up our annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference, this year held in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. 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 2027 New Zealand Plumbing Conference.

WINNER Rory Read – McIvor Plumbers & Gasfitters, Wanaka

WINNER Sam Baldwin – 100% Plumbing & Gas, Rotorua

OVERALL WINNER Eric Gruythuysen – Kumeu Plumbing, Auckland

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 Paul Stephens – Taumaranui Plumbing

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 Quandify Water Grip – United Supply Co

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 Ross Hanna – Foleys, Christchurch

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 Skills Trades Training. This is a major prize designed to build the winner’s career progression.

PLUMBING FINALIST Rhys Kimber – Soda Plumbing & Gas, Hamilton

GASFITTING FINALIST Apache Davidson – BOP Plumbing & Gas, Rotorua

DRAINLAYING FINALIST Oliver Hillson-Barratt – Simply Plumbing, Christchurch

WINNER Rhys Kimber – Soda Plumbing & Gas, Hamilton

This award recognises a woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying industry.

WINNER Sarah Jamieson – BOP Plumbing & Gas, Rotorua

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 Selwyn Hikuroa – Wintec Plumbing Tutor and Deputy Chair of the PGDB

This award recognises a Master Plumbers business partner who shows commitment to Master Plumbers as well as contributes and supports the success of the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry.

WINNER Apex Valves

This award recognises a Master Plumbers branch that has made a meaningful contribution to its local community through projects, initiatives, or acts of goodwill. Established in 1995 by the Southland Association, now the Southland Branch, the award encourages goodwill between branches and their local communities while fostering friendly inter-branch rivalry.

WINNER Waikato Master Plumbers Branch – Community Woodcraft and Arts Hub

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 Optiplumb, Hamilton

Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc (Master Plumbers) is the national membership organisation for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses, with 19 regional branches across Aotearoa New Zealand. Member businesses go through a Quality Assurance programme to join. Members are provided with a wide range of resources and training opportunities to support them in staying up to date with the latest technologies, products, and compliance requirements. Master Plumbers advocates on behalf of members and the wider plumbing industry.

Established by Master Plumbers in 2002, Masterlink specialises in mentored apprenticeships in plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting across New Zealand. The Masterlink Team includes Regional Managers who support the apprentices and the businesses that host them during their training.

The New Zealand Plumbing Awards acknowledge positive achievements and success stories in the plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying industry. They are presented at an awards 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 leading event for the industry, bringing together attendees from all over the country.