Hutt Valley plumber Ryan helps customers

Ryan finished his three-year plumbing and gas fitting apprenticeship in 1992. He learned from Jim at Building Plant Services (BPS), practiced his trade for a number of years, and then took a break in 2000.

Ryan came back to New Zealand in 2005 and started working at BPS again, where Tamaiti was in the middle of his apprenticeship. Ryan actually trained Tamaiti for a while after Jim left the company.

When 4CET Plumbing & Gas was set up in 2011, it was pretty natural for Tamaiti to ask Ryan to help with the work.

Ryan says, “I like the variety of the job, and that no two days are the same. One day I’m using our CCTV camera and jet-flushing blocked drains; the next day I’m doing gas; the next day, plumbing.

“I never get bored, and I’m always learning.

“I can turn up to a customer and they’re stressed-out because their hot water cylinder is overflowing or their toilet isn’t flushing. Then I fix the problem, and I get to see them relaxed and happy.

“The biggest thing for me is helping people out of a jam.”

When he’s not on the tools, Ryan and his partner are busy with family activities and sports. Saturdays mean rugby with his son, and tennis and netball with his daughter. He also plays at the Wainuiomata Tennis Club and coaches junior tennis there. Going further afield, he enjoys taking the family mountain biking and snowboarding in season.