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Information Page Contents

NZMTRB Member Newsletters

Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme

First Licensed Bricklayer and Blocklayer - Hillary Haggerty

NZMTRB Bestows Honorary Memberships

WorldSkills International

WorldSkills New Zealand

WorldSkills International Bricklaying Competition - Judges' Expectations

2011 WorldSkills Bricklaying Competition

2009 WorldSkills Bricklaying Competition

2007 WorldSkills Bricklaying Competition

CBPMA Design Note TB1

John Oliver's Brick Book

David Barnard Receives Special Industry Award

Website of Interest - New Zealand Concrete Masonry Association

Concrete Masonry - A Guide to Weathertight Construction

On Site Management of Concrete Washwater

WelTec Certificate of Structural Masonry

CCANZ Information Bulletin - IB 66: Masonry Grouting Methods

 


NZMTRB Member Newsletters

Copies of newsletters to NZMTRB Members are sent out directly to members, however, copies can also now be downloaded from this site:

 


Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme

Licensing for the building industry became voluntary from November 2007.  Seven of the 13 license classes in the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme were introduced on 1 November 2007, the other six, which include bricklaying and blocklaying, will follow in 2008.    

Benefits of licensing will be:

  • Formal recognition of your competency and experience in your chosen field.

  • Your licensed practitioner status can be used as a personal 'mark of quality' in your work.

  • A listing on a public register so future clients or employers can see your licensing status.

  • Support via an advertising and promotional programme to the New Zealand public promoting the public register.

The New Zealand Masonry Trades Registration Board has been working with the Department of Building and Housing to ensure that the proposed Bricklaying and Blocklaying Licence Class (due to be implemented later this year) is fair and equitable and meets the Department’s needs without disadvantaging those tradesmen currently working in our industry.

In June 2008, the Licensing Standards/competencies were approved and the assessment process is currently under trial.  As it stands, all applicants will be assessed on the Regulatory Environment part of the assessment.  However, if you are registered with the New Zealand Masonry Trades Registration Board, and provide your registration details, you will be exempt from supplying project records. 

Further information can be found on the Department of Building and Housing website, as follows:

An update on licensing, from an NZMTRB perspective, can be found in the NZMTRB Member Newsletter of 14 January 2009, which can be downloaded above.


First DBH Licensed Bricklayer and Blocklayer - Hillary Haggerty

Hillary Haggerty, NZMTRB Registered Structural Mason and Bricklayer and NZMTRB Registration Auditor, is the first bricklayer and blocklayer to be licensed under the Department of Building and Housing's Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) Scheme.  A copy of the DBH Codewords article on Hillary's licensing can be downloaded here.


NZMTRB Bestows Honorary Memberships

The New Zealand Masonry Trades Registration Board (NZMTRB) recently awarded Honorary Membership to two long standing members in appreciation of their many years of service to the brick and blocklaying industry.

Derek James and Mike Spink are both Registered Structural Masons and Registered Bricklayers and have also been members of the NZMTRB since 1975.  

Derek has been NZMTRB Chairman for nine years and also currently serves the Board as a NZMTRB Registration Auditor and member of the DBH Licensed Building Practitioners’ Workshop Group.   His other roles in the industry include Secretary of the Auckland Masonry Trades Association and Apprenticeship Assessor for the Masonry Industry Training Organisation.  

 

The Board honoured Mike’s dedication and work in the training of brick and blocklayers.  Although he retired as a WelTec Bricklaying Tutor in 2009, Mike holds the distinction of having trained every apprentice bricklayer in New Zealand in the 25 year period prior to his retirement.  Mike is currently a NZMTRB Registration Auditor and has also been an international judge for masonry at the World Skills competition since 1992.


WorldSkills International

With a 55 year history, WorldSkills is a not for profit membership association open to agencies or bodies which have a responsibility for promoting vocational education and training in their respective countries/regions. Every two years hundreds of young skilled people from around the world gather together to compete before the public in the skills of their various trades and test themselves against demanding international standards. These young people represent the best of their peers drawn from regional and national skill competitions held currently in 50 countries/regions.   For further information about WorldSkills International visit http://www.worldskills.org/.


WorldSkills New Zealand 

WorldSkills New Zealand, an independent, non-profit Charitable Trust founded in 1986, is dedicated to encouraging young people to excel in vocational skills through exposure to competitions at a Regional, National and International level.  WorldSkills New Zealand assists young New Zealanders by providing a model for excellence in industry training and by setting goals for young people to aspire to in their personal development.  For further information on WorldSkills New Zealand visit http://www.worldskills.org.nz/


WorldSkills International Bricklaying Competition - Judges' Expectations

What do the WorldSkills Judges expect from bricklaying competitors?

Bricklayers work on commercial and residential projects where they lay bricks, block stone, glass block or terra cotta to build interior and exterior walls, partitions, fireplaces, chimneys, smokestacks and other structures. The Judges believe the competitors should be trained in the following areas:   

  • selecting and preparing mortars  

  • building interior/exterior walls and partitions 

  • installing insulation in masonry walls 

  • laying radial brick or stone for industrial and residential chimneys 

  • applying firebrick to chimneys and smokestacks 

  • applying acid-resistant brick to kilns and tanks 

  • creating garden walls, footpaths, arches, patios and balconies 

  • precision cutting of stone, brick, block and other dense masonry materials 

  • reinforcing of masonry structures with bolts, tie bars or metal mesh

The judges consider that becoming a successful bricklayer requires endurance, concentration, planning and scheduling, varied hands-on skills, competent bricklaying, an eye for detail, and tidiness.  


2011 WorldSkills Bricklaying Competition

Ben Roche, New Zealand Representative at the 2011 WorldSkills Competition in London

Ben Roche of Auckland won the New Zealand National Bricklaying Section of the WorldSkills New Zealand National Finals held recently in Christchurch.  He is now fundraising to compete in the WorldSkills International Competition to be held in London from 1-11 October 2011.  For information about Ben Roche and his fundraising/sponsorship efforts and how you can support him, please download Ben's information sheet here.


2009 WorldSkills Bricklaying Competition

Daniel Cullen, New Zealand Representative at the 2009 WorldSkills Competition in Calgary

Daniel was selected to compete at the WorldSkills New Zealand National Finals in September 2008 because of the quality of the work he carried out while attending his WelTec block courses.  He gained a gold medal at those Finals, meeting the criteria and high performance standards required for WorldSkills.  As a result of this he was selected to be part of the Tool Black team competing at the 2009 WorldSkills International Competition which was held in Calgary, Canada from 1-7 September 2009.

Although Daniel did not win any medals at the WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, he had this to say about his involvement:  

“I had a great experience learning lots of new skills which I hope to be able to pass on to future kiwi competitors.  I highly recommend WorldSkills New Zealand to all young tradies as it helps promote the trades and brings out the best of your skills.”

Daniel has informed us that the City of Calgary spent $57 million on hosting the competition, with around 250,000 people attending over the three and a half day event.

The photo shows Daniel during the Calgary competitions.  Photos of other members of the 2009 Tool Black Team in action, can be found at the following link: http://www.worldskills.org/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=655&g2_itemId=30340


2007 WorldSkills Bricklaying Competition

New Zealand Apprentice Achieves Medallion of Excellence at WorldSkills 2007 

Riki Lincoln, a talented young tradesman from Upper Hutt, Wellington received a Medallion of Excellence for his bricklaying skills at the WorldSkills Competition in Japan in November 2007.  NZMTRB Board Member, Greg Sinden coached Riki and also attended the competition in his role as an International Judge.  You can read more about Riki's achievement and the WorldSkills Competition in the attached article.


CBPMA Design Note TB1

Design Note TB1: 2 Storey Clay Brick Veneer Construction - Made Easy

The New Zealand Clay Brick & Paver Manufacturer’s Association have produced Design Note TB1 entitled 2 Storey Clay Brick Veneer Construction - Made Easy.  A copy of this document can be downloaded here.


John Oliver's Brick Book

A good reference tool, the “Brick Book” provides invaluable information on bricks, bricklaying, masonry, masons, brick mortar, brick veneer, brick cleaning, Lime mortar, recycled bricks, brick patterns, brick fireplaces, architecture, design and building.   John Oliver has been involved in the building industry for over 30 years. In his career, among other things, he has been an architectural designer, building products representative, building inspector, contracts manager, a product manager and technical adviser to NZFP.  John was Technical Manager for Monier Bricks for 12 years and responsible for the two storey brick systems currently used in New Zealand.  He is a consultant on all issues to do with the use of bricks. For further information on this publication go to www.brick-book.com.


David Barnard Receives Special Industry Award

At its meeting on 17 July 2007, the New Zealand Masonry Trades Registration Board (NZMTRB) presented David Barnard with a special certificate in appreciation of his work developing and administering the NZMTRB.  

David has been involved in the New Zealand masonry trades for more than 30 years. He was a board member of the New Zealand Registered Structural Masons for many years and became secretary in 1999.   

About four years ago David became executive officer of the New Zealand Master Masonry Trades Federation.  He recently retired from the role, leaving the federation, now known as the Brick & Blocklayers Federation New  Zealand, with a vision for the future and an increasing membership.


Website of Interest - New Zealand Concrete Masonry Association

The New Zealand Concrete Masonry Association (NZCMA) website can be found at http://www.nzcma.org.nz/.  Two of their publications are shown below and may be of value to you.


Concrete Masonry - A Guide to Weathertight Construction

The New Zealand Concrete Masonry Association (NZCMA), with support from the Department of Building and Housing, and Building Research, has produced a code of practice for weathertight construction of concrete masonry.

There has been much consideration recently of weathertightness in general construction. The issue is also important for concrete masonry buildings containing habitable spaces where the presence of moisture would lead to the formation of mould and mildew.  The guide provides information for those considering solutions for compliance with Clause E2 (External Moisture) of the New Zealand Building Code. Industry consultation with sectors associated with concrete masonry means the code of practice reflects substantial experience in weathertight detailing of low-rise New Zealand concrete masonry buildings.  Copies of this publication have been distributed to NZMTRB members, however, further copies can be downloaded here, or hardcopies can be requested from CCANZ - admin@cca.org.nz.


On Site Management of Concrete Washwater

The New Zealand Concrete Masonry Association (NZCMA), have prepared a safe environmental guidelines for "On Site Management of Concrete Washwater".  Many councils are now taking an active role in issuing infringement notices to any person or company failing to manage their waste correctly.  Anyone found breaching the Resource Management Act 1991 in this way may be liable for an infringement fee of up to $1,000 or prosecution.  Little leniency is being shown towards those infringing these regulations.

Written in partnership with the Auckland Regional Council, the recommendations set out in this document are what the NZCMA considers to be acceptable best practice for managing and disposing of fresh concrete, mortar, or water contaminated with it.  The aim of the guideline is to stop the discharge of any cement slurry or wastewater from a site into the stormwater system and natural waterways.  Copies of this document can be downloaded here, or a hardcopy can be requested from CCANZ - admin@cca.org.nz.


WelTec Certificate of Structural Masonry

The Wellington  Technical Institute of Technology (WelTec) has developed a new Certificate of Structural Masonry - a Level 4 programme designed to provide participants with the theoretical knowledge to achieve registration as a Structural Mason or Master Bricklayer.  It is also aimed at those who have been working in the masonry industry for for at least nine years but who have no formal training.

The programme involves eight distance learning packages including:  concrete blocks; bonding; concrete and grouting; masonry veneers; mortar; and reinforcing steel.  WelTec has recently reduced the course fees from $1,200 to $900.  Those interested in taking up this correspondence course must have completed a trade, national certificate or apprenticeship programme or have a minimum of nine year's experience in the masonry industry.  Copies of the course brochure can be downloaded here, or a hardcopy can be requested from CCANZ - admin@cca.org.nz.


CCANZ Information Bulletin - IB 66: Masonry Grouting Methods

The Cement &  Concrete Association of New Zealand (CCANZ) have produced an Information Bulletin on Masonry Grouting Methods which looks at the four different methods for grout filling as set out in New Zealand Standard NZS 4210:

·          High lift grouting with an expansive admixture.

·          High lift grouting without an expansive admixture.

·          High lift grouting with reduced compaction.

·          Low lift growing.

Copies of IB 66 can be downloaded here, or a hardcopy can be requested from CCANZ - admin@cca.org.nzIf you would like to look further at the CCANZ website please go to www.cca.org.nz.  Many of their publications are free for download and a complete publication list can be viewed at https://secure1.iconz.co.nz/cca/shop/index.asp.