The Perks of a Career in Plumbing
From South Auckland to Stadiums: Kyle Brown's Plumbing Journey
Kyle Mana Metua Brown (Kumitau) always had an interest in plumbing, sparked by weekends and school holidays spent helping out at his aunt and uncle’s plumbing business. “It was a way to bond with my dad and earn some extra cash,” Kyle says. “But I also saw the potential that plumbing could offer as a long term career.”
Fast forward to today at just 21 years old, Kyle is well into his plumbing apprenticeship with Hanlon Plumbing and even enjoys some enviable perks, like being the on call plumber at major Warriors games.
South Auckland Roots and a Clear Goal
Of Cook Island and Niuean descent (Aitutaki and Atiu in the Cook Islands, and Avatele in Niue), Kyle was born and raised in South Auckland and attended Aorere College before entering the trades.
From the beginning of his pre trades training, Kyle was focused. “I’d wanted to do plumbing for so long that I didn’t find the training difficult — I was clear on where I wanted to go.”
In 2021, he graduated top of his class at MIT with a Level 3 Certificate in Plumbing, Drainlaying and Gasfitting. His studies were supported by a Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) scholarship — a programme that Kyle credits for helping him get a foot in the door.
How MPTT Helped Kyle Land His Apprenticeship
Through MPTT’s network and support, Kyle was introduced to Chris Joseph, an MPTT Navigator who connected him to key contacts in the industry. One of those contacts was Mark Katterns, Project Director at Hawkins.
“I met Mark at the MPTT awards ceremony and left him my number. I followed up soon after, since I’d been finding it tough to get interviews on my own. Next thing I knew, I had an interview lined up, and Mark even came along to support me.”
As Kyle tells it, the interview was more about attitude than technical skill. “We mostly talked about Rugby League,” he laughs. “They were more interested in whether I’d be a good fit for the team.”
Soon after, he was offered the job and started with Hanlon Plumbing, even as Auckland went into lockdown. Starting during restrictions wasn’t easy, but Kyle’s independence and drive helped him get up to speed quickly.
Gaining Skills and Busting Plumbing Myths
Now in the thick of his apprenticeship, Kyle is working across a wide range of plumbing disciplines, from residential builds to large scale commercial maintenance. He’s already completed the drainage component of his apprenticeship and is steadily building his hours.
“Every day is different, and every job teaches you something new,” Kyle says. One of the biggest misconceptions? “People think plumbing is all about dealing with sewage. But if you’re working on residential or new builds, you don’t even come into contact with it. It’s all about piping and planning.”
A Career with Flexibility and Future Opportunity
What Kyle values most is the variety in his day to day work. One day might involve multiple hospital maintenance jobs, and the next he could be driving across Auckland to respond to various sites.
“There’s structure, but there’s also flexibility,” he explains. “You’re trusted to manage your time well, and there’s no pressure to rush as long as the job is done right.”
His focus now is on mastering his trade, not just completing tasks, but doing them to a high standard. “I want to be a craftsman. I want to be great at what I do.”
Looking Ahead: From Plumbing to Gasfitting
As part of his qualification, Kyle is also diving into drainlaying and gasfitting, areas that open even more doors.
“There’s so much demand for gas fitters, especially in places like hospitals and stadiums. You’ve got large scale gas lines running all over the country. That alone could be a whole career path.”
Kyle is excited about the future and encourages others to consider the trades as a meaningful, rewarding option. “There’s real potential in plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting. I’m learning every day, building a strong foundation and eventually, I’d love to run my own business.”
From family beginnings to high profile stadium gigs, Kyle Brown’s journey is a powerful example of where a plumbing career can take you, especially with the right support, attitude and work ethic.