MEET THE TEAM
Colleen Upton ONZM
General Manager / Director
Having been involved in the industry for over 25 years, Colleen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Hutt Gas and Plumbing team. She is particularly passionate about helping young apprentices succeed in their new career.
In 2021 Colleen was made an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit for services to the plumbing and gasfitting industry and women. She is well respected by her peers and was awarded the inaugural Jackson Women in Plumbing Award at the 2020 New Zealand Plumbing Awards. She also won the Helen Tippett Award in 2019. This is the Supreme Award of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and was awarded for her outstanding and enduring contribution to supporting women in trade. She has vast experience in governance and currently serves on the board of NAWIC and the board of the Interim Regional Skills Leadership Group.
Previously held positions include:
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Member of the NZ Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.
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President of the Hutt Valley Wairarapa Master Plumbers Association
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Director on the NZ Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board
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Member of a SKILLS Working Group reviewing New Zealand certifying qualifications.
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Member of the SKILLS Leadership and Governance Group
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Member of the WelTec Advisory Group (for over 10 years)
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Member of the Masterlink Ltd Board; and
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Member of the Plumbers Journal Board
Outside of work Colleen enjoys following her adult children's sporting pursuits and spending time with her four young grandchildren.
Darren Smith
Operations Manager / Director
Darren is a Director and founding member of Hutt Gas and Plumbing and completed his plumbing and gasfitting apprenticeship in 1989.
Darren is a highly qualified Certifying Gasfitter (Level 2 CoC), Certifying Plumber and a Certifying Drainlayer. He is an IQP (Independent Qualified Person) in Backflow Prevention testing and has had a hand in all the major projects at Hutt Gas and Plumbing.
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Darren was awarded the "New Zealand Plumber and Gasfitter of the Year Award" at the 2023 New Zealand Plumbing Awards. ​As a contributor to the wider plumbing industry, Darren has previously served on the NZ Standards Committee for Gas Measurement Systems. He was also involved in the SKILLS Leadership and Governance Group setting new qualifications for the industry.
When he's not helping our residential customers, you'll find Darren on his bike. He's completed Mt Taranaki, Rotorua to Taupo and the ‘Round the Lake’ event in Taupo several times and has even managed to get several other members of staff into cycling.
Grant Jefferson
Commercial Lead / Director
Grant is our Commercial Lead and a Director of Hutt Gas and Plumbing. Grant has more than 30 years experience in the construction industry, initially starting out as a Refrigeration Engineer, then qualifying as a Certifying Gasfitter and Plumber, before being appointed as Contracts Manager. During his 25 years with Hutt Gas and Plumbing, Grant has worked in every aspect of the front line business. Grant is now our Commercial Lead and is the first the point of contact from Tender invitations through to client handover.
Grant’s strengths are his attention to detail, desire for excellence and he brings a strong work ethic to everything he does. He particularly enjoys mentoring new foremen and encouraging our younger team members to always aim high and excel at what they do.
Grant has been involved in many of Hutt Gas and Plumbing’s high profile commercial projects such as the WIAL Control Tower, Remutaka Custodial Building roll out, VUW The Hub, Callaghan Library, Measurement and Standards Lab, WIAL South Terminal extension, Summerset Boulcott, Wellington Central FireSstation and the Beehive.