Newsletter: The Link - May 2026

The Link - May 2026

Kia ora {#party.FirstName},

Welcome to the May edition of The Link! In this issue, we cover the move to lead-free plumbing products now officially in effect, practical new workplace assessment options for apprentices, and key industry updates from around Aotearoa.

COULD WORKPLACE ASSESSMENTS WORK FOR YOUR APPRENTICE? 🤔

Masterlink is leading the way with Workplace Assessments, offering hosts and apprentices more flexibility under the new apprenticeship qualification pathway.

With Masterlink’s own in-house assessors, apprentices enrolled under the new qualification model (from 1 January 2025) can complete some assessments in the workplace, keeping them on the tools and reducing time away on block courses. This means they keep building experience on the job while continuing to progress through their qualification.

If you’d like to learn more about how Workplace Assessments could fit into your apprentice’s training plan, speak with your Regional Manager today.

Workplace Assessment Information Session

Masterlink Apprentice Training Manager Pete Shields is hosting an information session in Tauranga on Wednesday 20 May at 5pm to talk about the new apprenticeship qualification pathway, how workplace assessments work in practice, and what the changes mean for apprentices and host businesses..

LEAD-FREE PLUMBING PRODUCTS NOW IN EFFECT

Lead Free Plumbing is in effect since 2 May

New Zealand has officially moved to lead-free plumbing products!

From Saturday 2 May, Amendment 14 must now be used when using Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 to demonstrate compliance with the Building Code. Amendment 13 has been revoked, although it can still be used for building consent applications submitted on or before 1 May 2026.

What this means for plumbers
In simple terms, the new rules place responsibility on plumbers to ensure any new products installed in a potable water system are lead-free, helping protect public health.

Dezincification resistant (DZR) copper alloy products
Products under pressure in potable water systems must also be dezincification resistant.To maintain corrosion resistance, avoid high-temperature brazing when installing.

Replacement or repair work
Under Schedule 1 of the Building Act, comparable products can still be used — however, they must meet the Building Code requirements at the time of installation. Master Plumbers’ recommendation is to choose lead-free products wherever possible, including for replacements.

To confirm compliance, products should be tested to:

NSF/ANSI/CAN 372:2020 (lead-free requirements)
AS 2345:2006 (dezincification resistance)

Make sure you verify IANZ-accredited test certificates or equivalent international certifications, such as WaterMark.

MBIE LEAD FREE PLUMBING INFORMATION

BUNNINGS TRADE PARTNERSHIP

Masterlink has partnered with Bunnings Trade to supply new apprentices with their Masterlink starter toolkits and PPE.

With their 54 trade locations across Aotearoa and access to a wide range of trusted brands and tools, we’re excited to make this available for Masterlink apprentices.

Did you know?
If your business is a Master Plumbers member, you can access exclusive pricing through the Master Plumbers & Bunnings Trade PowerPass card..

Already have a PowerPass account?
You can easily link your existing account to access member pricing.

NZ PLUMBING CONFERENCE 2026 PROGRAMME RELEASED!

CPD is back at the 2026 NZ Plumbing Conference

The Conference programme is now live on the NZ Plumbing Conference website, with a strong line-up of speakers, industry updates and networking opportunities across the event.

CPD is also back for 2026!
Conference attendees will be among the first in the country to hear about the rollout of the new self-certification scheme ahead of the wider CPD rollout later this year.

View the Full Programme

Accommodation won't be available much longer!

If you’ve already booked your Conference ticket but haven’t locked in accommodation yet, make sure you do so before Wednesday 20 May, when the final room hold for delegates will be released.

BOOK ACCOMMODATION

YPOTY COMPETITION HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN!

The 2026 Plumbing World Young Plumber of the Year (YPOTY) competition is officially underway, with the first event kicking off this week in Palmerston North.

Masterlink Regional Manager for the Lower South Island, Johnny Allen, was on hand to support apprentices at the Queenstown qualifier on Wednesday, where third-year apprentice Aaren Markenstein (pictured below) from Queenstown Plumbing & Gas placed second!

Aaren is now amongst the first apprentices recognised under the new Apprentice of the Year category, introduced this year with support from Nexa — the new PTE being established by Master Plumbers.

THERE'S STILL TIME TO REGISTER!
If your regional event hasn’t happened yet, jump online and secure your spot — you don't need to be a Plumbing World customer to enter! There's prizes up for grabs across both YPOTY and the new Apprentice of the Year category at regional, branch and national finals throughout the competition 🏆

SAFELY DOES IT: WEAR PINK + STOP BULLYING!

PINK SHIRT DAY - Friday 15 May

Next Friday is Pink Shirt Day — a nationwide movement promoting kindness, inclusion and respectful workplaces.

Encourage your team to wear pink on site or in the office to show support. Better yet, visit the Pink Shirt Day website for practical advice, support resources and downloadable posters around workplace bullying and creating safer, more inclusive workplaces.

LEARN MORE OR DOWNLOAD RESOURCES

WORKSAFE HEALTH HAZARD SURVEY

TAKE THE SURVEY

WorkSafe is running a national survey to better understand health hazards across the trades — and they want to hear directly from people working in plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying.

Your feedback will help build a clearer picture of workplace health risks and support safer, healthier worksites across Aotearoa.

The survey is anonymous and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.