MEDIA RELEASE | Board Elections 2023

The Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board (the Board) have re-appointed Diana Kuhtz-Covich as Chair at the first meeting of the year, and appointed Martin de Gouw as Deputy Chair.

“Congratulations to Diana on her reappointment for a third consecutive year to Chair, and welcome Martin to the Deputy Chair position. Diana and Martin bring invaluable industry knowledge and insight to the strategic direction of the Board. I look forward to the work that the Board will do under their guidance in ensuring public health and safety,” says Chief Executive, Aleyna Hall. “I would like to thank Barry Wilcox for his support and guidance as Deputy Chair for the last 2 years,” she adds.

Diana is a registered Certifying Plumber and Gasfitter and has been a member of the Board since September 2016. Diana is a past recipient of the Board’s Merit of Excellence Award for Gasfitter. Martin is a registered Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer, IQP Backflow Prevention, and holds an Associated Trades Electrical Registration. He has been a member of the Board since 2019 and is based in Christchurch.

“It is a privilege to be re-elected as Chair. The Board’s continued trust is not something I take lightly, and with their support I am excited to progress the priorities of the Board,” says Diana Kuhtz-Covich. “We want a robust, professional industry that holds the health and safety of Aotearoa to the highest standard,” she says.

The Board acknowledges those affected by the recent devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, and the ensuing clean up. “The Board wishes to thank those within and outside the industry who have gone above and beyond to assist with the first response and recovery. Our workforce will be stretched for some time to come with the recovery effort. Public health and safety is our focus during and after adverse weather events and the risk it brings to sanitation,” says Ms Hall. She adds that while there will be a wait for business and home owners in affected regions to get trade work done, it’s best to get a licenced practitioner to complete any repairs. “It is important that any plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying work carried out is completed by a licenced practitioner. To check someone is licensed, head to our website for more information.”