Page 14 - HW March 2022

hard news
The future of painting and plumbing
The four 2021 Master Painters NZ Apprentice of the Year Finalists, with winner Tuaine Ruatita second from left.
THE BRIGHTEST YOUNG painters and plumbers were both recently celebrated.
February 2022 saw the final of the 2021 Master Painters NZ Apprentice of the Year, after the pandemic unfortunately led to the postponement of two attempts in 2021.
Ara Institute of Canterbury’s Woolston Campus hosted the final practical stage in the competition, tasking 2021’s top four regional apprentices to assemble, prepare, and apply paint/wallpaper/special effects to playhouses.
The four regional winners were:
• Upper North Island – Bostyn Parker
from NM Paint Co, Auckland (Nick
May)
• Lower North Island – Tuaine Ruatita
from GDPD, Manawatu (Gary Dyer)
• Upper South Island – Anna Julian
from Total Decorating, Nelson (Aaron
Mallinson)
• Lower South Island – Dylan Bartlett
from Jeff Allan Paint & Paper, Timaru (Jeff Allan)
In a high-pressure situation and under
close scrutiny, Tuaine Ruatita emerged as the final winner.
The main sponsor was Resene and the support of Haydn Brush and ARA
Institute Woolston Campus was also acknowledged.
Also concluding last month was the 2021 Young Plumber of the Year program.
Now in its fourth year, Young Plumber of the Year continues to provide a unique opportunity for 10 talented young plumbers around the country to test their skills – both practical and theoretical
– culminating in being tasked with installing a complete bathroom kit from scratch.
After careful deliberation, Wanaka’s Veronika Kreitner, a Wild Card entrant to the final event, was announced the winner!
Employed by Guy Plumbing & Gas, Veronika is the first woman to win the title in the history of the competition, which has been running since 2017 having outperformed the nine other competitors from around the country
to win her share of $55,000 worth of prizes, including a $8,600 prize pack from Toolware Sales and $5,000 worth of Milwaukee tools and accessories.
Veronika says she’s been well trained: “I really do credit a lot of what I’ve done throughout this competition to my boss. I’ve been taught to be really particular
Young Plumber of the Year 2021 winner Veronika Kreitner with Plumbing World GM Rob Kidd.
with each job that I do and to always be very organised, this win is a testament proving that being meticulous with each task really does pay off.”
www.masterpainters.co.nz https://youngplumbersclub.co.nz/
12 NZHJ | MARCH 2022
MORE AT www.hardwarejournal.co.nz