International Women's Day 2026

Today, on International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating women in the trades. We spoke with Storm Dawson - Certifying Plumber, Certifying Drainlayer and Gasfitter - about her career.

Storm entered the trades when exploring opportunities after finishing high school; ringing around businesses in Timaru to ask if anyone would take her on for work experience. Hadlee and Brunton Limited answered the call. Storm did a week of work experience with the company at the end of 2018 and was invited back to start full time in January 2019.

“It definitely wasn’t easy to get my foot in the door - I had phoned every local plumbing company looking for work experience. I am grateful that someone was willing to give me a chance.”

Growing up on a sheep and beef farm surrounded by hands-on work, Storm’s mother taught her that jobs aren't gender-based and that she could achieve anything that she put her mind to. 

“I wasn't put off by the fact that trades are usually male-dominated industries. I didn't want to be an electrician because I didn’t want to get electric shocks. And I wasn’t so sure about building. So, I turned to plumbing, and it's worked out well.”

Storm’s proudest career moments to date are finishing her apprenticeship, becoming registered, and taking her career to the next level by becoming a certifier in plumbing and drainlaying. 

“There were times in my apprenticeship where I'm like, ‘is this really what I want to do?’ But I've always had people in my corner, supporting me. Not many people get to the certifying level, I'm really proud of myself for that.”

She also values the extra experience and qualifications that her job has brought her, such as her Class 4 Heavy Vehicle Licence.

To encourage more women into the trades, Storm thinks plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying needs to be offered as a career option at school.

“A lot of young girls don't realise that these opportunities are there for them. When I was in school, I probably never would have considered anything like this.”

She also challenges assumptions about physical strength.

“Just because you may not be as big or as strong as somebody else, doesn't mean that you can't do it. You just have to figure out another way to get the job done. There's always more than one way to do something.”

Storm said she would not be able to count the number of times that she’s rung a client up to let them know that she'll be heading around to their place and they're surprised to see a female turn up. “They're like, ‘oh, I thought I was just speaking to one of the office ladies.’”

Storm prefers residential work as she loves the variety of jobs that come in and knowing that if it's not the nicest of tasks, it's only going to last as long as it takes to finish it, and then she can move on to the next job.

“Renovations are great, because you go there, you disconnect the fixtures, and you're able to see that project through from start to finish. It’s great being able to admire your work at the end of it.”

Ngā mihi Storm for the kōrero.