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Welcome to the final Link issue for 2025! 🎄 Inside, you’ll find a thank you message from Rhys Nimmo, General Manager of Masterlink and Master Plumbers, plus essential Masterlink payroll dates and emergency contacts for the holiday break. Meet our new Lower South Regional Manager, Johnny from Invercargill, and check out some handy tips to stay hydrated during the summer heat! 🌞 |
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MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THANKS FROM MASTERLINK |
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Rhys Nimmo, General Manager of Masterlink and Master Plumbers |
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On behalf of the whole Masterlink team, Merry Christmas and a big thank you to all our hosts and apprentices for the part you’ve played this year. To our apprentices, thanks for the effort you’ve put in, turning up every day, your commitment to learning, and getting stuck in. To our hosts, thank you for the time, patience, and commitment you invest in training the next generation of plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. We really value the trust you place in us, and we’re proud to work alongside you. |
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There’s no doubt 2025 has had its challenges, but we’re encouraged by the signs heading into 2026 and we’re looking forward to much better times ahead. For now, it’s time for a well-earned break. Enjoy the holiday season, switch off, and make the most of some downtime with family and friends. We look forward to working with you again in 2026, refreshed and ready to go.
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Rhys Nimmo
General Manager of Masterlink and Master Plumbers |
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TAKE NOTE!
MASTERLINK PAYROLL DATES |
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LAST WORKING DAY
Friday 19 December 2025 |
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REOPENS
Monday 12 January 2026 |
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Adjustments for any discrepancies through this period will be made when payroll reopens in the new year. |
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We’re proud to share that our CEO, Greg Wallace, has been ministerially appointed to the Construction & Specialist Trades Industry Skills Board (ISB). The ISBs, confirmed by Vocational Education Minister Hon Penny Simmonds, play a key role in shaping vocational education across New Zealand. |
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In this role, Greg will make sure our sector has a strong voice in education decisions, helping to ensure future training gives people the skills they really need to succeed on the job. |
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SAY HELLO TO NEW REGIONAL MANAGER JOHNNY ALLEN 👋🏼 |
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Masterlink welcomes Johnny Allen, our new Lower South Regional Manager, based in Waihōpai Invercargill, taking over from Rae. Originally from Christchurch, Johnny has spent the past 13 years in Invercargill with his wife and two children. He brings 25 years of sales experience across a wide range of industries, including five years in the plumbing trade. The opportunity to join Masterlink was the perfect next step—keeping him connected to the trade he loves while allowing him to support young people entering it. |
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Outside work, Johnny likes to stay busy—walking 5-10km daily, studying a Level 5 Diploma in Social Media Marketing, president of his local rugby club, and cooking whenever he can. |
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Johnny values the chance to help shape the next generation of skilled plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers. He’s driven by building strong, trusting relationships and believes the journey should be enjoyable along the way. A big thank you to Rae for her dedication and the work she put into supporting her region. Her commitment to both hosts and apprentices has been greatly appreciated. |
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SAFELY DOES IT: COOL SIPPIN' THIS SUMMER 💧 |
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As the sun turns up the heat around the motu, staying hydrated becomes more important than ever.
Or, as Lil Jon might say, “sip that H2-Oh YEEYAH!” Here are four essential tips for staying cool and refreshed during the summer break and hot days on site: |
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What are the signs of dehydration? |
• Brain fog = slower reactions 😵
• Muscle cramps & fatigue 💪
• Dizziness, headaches 🤕
• Heat exhaustion = big trouble ⚠️ |
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How much water should I be drinking? |
Use this simple formula to give you an indication of what you should be drinking: |
Body weight ÷ 30 = litres/day
So if you weigh 75 kg ÷ 30 ≈ That's 2.5 litres a day
(but drink more if you’re sweating!) |
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Take a look at your mimi (pee)! |
You can learn by also checking your urine colour: Pale yellow = ✅ Hydrated Dark yellow = ⚠️ Drink more Amber/brown = 🚨 Dehydrated |
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Always forget to sip or don't like the taste? |
💧Keep your bright Masterlink bottle handy—it’s a bright reminder to keep sipping wherever you go!
💧 Try adding fruit slices or flavour drops, or set a regular phone reminder . |
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💛 NEED SOME EXTRA SUPPORT? |
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If you—or someone you know—could use some additional wellbeing support, we’ve been referring a few members and apprentices to Catherine Hill, a wellbeing and lifestyle coach based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, which has had really positive feedback. |
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A message from Catherine:
“Hi, I’m Catherine! I help you tackle life’s curveballs with practical strategies, a robust toolkit, and a safe, honest space—sometimes with a bit of banter thrown in. You can think of me as the ‘merry family member’ at the party, checking in with you, sticking around, and making sure you’re okay. With the silly season coming, remember to be kind to yourself as well as others. I look forward to connecting with you soon!” |
| BE PUT IN TOUCH |
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SIGN UP TO GAS MATTERS FOR YOUR CHANCE TO
WIN A $250 PREZZY CARD! |
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Subscribe to Gas Matters, the quarterly e-newsletter from Firstgas, for the latest insights on gas, and their innovative projects and developments in renewable gas. Sign up by 21 December and be in to win a $250 Prezzy Card! Stay informed, stay connected, and be in to win! |
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🚨 URGENT ENQUIRIES OVER THE BREAK? |
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General questions about holiday schedules, admin queries etc., will be dealt with when our team is back in the office on Monday 12 January 2026. For urgent matters requiring immediate attention over the Christmas break, please reach out to People & Culture Manager, Lisa Duston. |
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⭐️ MASTERLINK MILESTONES ⭐️ |
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A big congratulations to all those who have recently completed the following qualifications:
Jacob Hooker, Ash Jackson, Matthew Leishman, Sean Thompson and Rosa Thompson (pictured right) in Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying Joshua Marshall and Josh Clegg in Plumbing & Drainlaying Cody Dacre in Plumbing Jack Conder, Noah Payne, Kyle Shields and Zoe Kusanic in Drainlaying |
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Rosa Thompson with Masterlink Lower South Island Regional Manager, Johnny Allen |
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WELCOME |
Nau mai, haere mai to our newest Masterlink apprentices:
Simon Radford - Macklin Plumbing & Gas, Wanaka Joel Commane - MacMillan Plumbing & Gas, Wellington Tony Lasenby - Kumeu Plumbing, Auckland Bradley Naidoo - Regency Plumbing, Auckland Blake Scrimshaw - DWYERtech Services, Palmerston North Tom Parsons - Pinpoint Plumbing & Gas, Auckland Troy Jeffries - R L Jeffries Plumbing, Auckland Harold Arbuckle - Laser Plumbing, Blenheim Isaac Snowling - Illingworth Plumbing, Auckland Bradd Bottcher - Ben Mayne Plumbing, Auckland Samuel Moreu - Tranquility Plumbing & Gas, Motueka |
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Nau mai, haere mai to our new Masterlink host companies: |
Macklin Plumbing, Regency Plumbing, DWYERtech Services, Pinpoint Plumbing & Gas, R L Jefferies Plumbing, Laser Plumbing Blenheim, and Tranquility Plumbing & Gas. |
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⭐️ MERI KIRIHIMETE AND HAVE A SAFE BREAK! ⭐️ |
We look forward to catching up with you in 2026!
Thanks again for another wonderful year.
- The Masterlink Team |
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