E nga rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui mai nei I tenei waa, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai ra ki Te Whare Kawana o Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
I’d like to begin by specifically acknowledging: The Honourable Penny Simmonds, Minister of the Crown; Greg Wallace, Chief Executive, Master Plumbers; Craig Foley, Chair, Master Plumbers; Felicity Caird, Deputy Chair, Master Plumbers; Grayson Allen, President, Master Plumbers; Ray Galt, Life Member, Master Plumbers.
It is a great pleasure to host you here at Government House this evening to mark this significant milestone. For 125 years, Master Plumbers has provided regulation, representation and advocacy for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers across New Zealand. As Governor-General, I am pleased to be able to recognise the longevity of one of our truly foundational industries.
It was your predecessors in 1901 that had the foresight to identify the need for a national organisation for this growing trade. As city populations grew, heightened pressure was being put on the water supply and wastewater systems. Here in Wellington, the Evening Post describes drains on Dixon Street in 1889 as ‘exceedingly offensive.' It’s no wonder that typhoid swept through the city at this time, including at Government House where both the Governor’s son and his Aide-de-Camp were temporarily struck down with the disease.
I can assure you that the water is safe to drink and the sewage system up to scratch at Government House now, thanks to extensive renovations of the outdated plumbing and gas services in 2009. The expertise of the plumbers and gasfitters who worked on the restoration ensures that we can enjoy a warm room, hot food and working bathrooms tonight.
My incentive for hosting this event has a personal touch to it – my sister was one of the first women in New Zealand to be certified as a plumber. Although plumbing remains a male-dominated field, I was heartened to learn about the number of female-owned businesses and the rise in women applying for apprenticeships. This increase has been aided by your group apprenticeship training scheme, Masterlink, and I’m sure will be only improved by the opening of your new industry-led training establishment that I understand is in the works.
Plumbing is a highly skilled industry that many of us take for granted. The reality is that you are integral to protecting the public health of New Zealanders. Master Plumbers’ commitment to this responsibility has included your strong advocacy for the new lead-free product requirements – a positive step towards building healthier communities. In addition to your day-to-day physical labour, a great deal of you are business-owners and take on the training and mentorship of apprentices to shore up the future of this industry.
Once again, congratulations on 125 years of Master Plumbers – an organisation which is undoubtedly intertwined with the history of New Zealand and its people. As Governor-General I am honoured to recognise the significance of your work and wish you all the very best for the future.
Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.