MEET THE CREW BEHIND THE PIPES
We’re Candice and James , partners in life and business, and the duo behind Kōwhai Plumbing.
James is the guy on the tools, beard full of grit, running jobs like a boss and making sure every job’s done properly. Candice runs the engine room — bookings, comms, invoices, and keeping the whole ship humming.
We started Kōwhai to do good, honest work for good, honest people and we’ve loved every minute of it. We’re social by nature, and one of the best parts of the job is getting to meet new faces, yarn with locals, and build real connections through the work we do.
Taranaki born and bred, we genuinely give a crap about our crew, our customers, and our community. From first call to final walk through , we’ve got your back. We’d love to get to know you… so what are you waiting for
CHECK US
OUT
Our story.
It all kicked off when James picked up the tools at just 17, a young fella with a solid work ethic, a cheeky grin, and no idea he’d one day be running the show. He started his plumbing apprenticeship with the legendary, family-owned crew at Copestake Gas & Plumbing, learning the ropes from some of the best in the biz.
After a few years sharpening his skills and soaking it all in, James took on a new challenge at Paul Garner Holdings: a change of pace and a whole new toolkit of experience. But the pull of where it all began brought him back to Copestake (now About Plumbing ), where he stepped up as foreman, leading jobs, the team and building confidence. And somewhere in all that mahi, the dream started brewing:
One day, I’m gonna do this for myself.
Fast forward to 2021 with a head full of experience and the full backing of his wife Candice he took the leap, and he leapt BIG.
Kōwhai Plumbing was born.
We built this business on hard work, honesty, straight-up communication, and a genuine love for what we do and who we do it for. We’re not here to be just another plumbing company, we want to be the first-choice plumbers in Taranaki. The crew people trust, call on, and recommend to their mates.But more than that, we’re building something that means something.
Candice is also one of the powerhouses within Tradies Tools Down — a movement that exists to support mental health in the construction industry. It’s a space for real talk, open conversations, and making sure our people know it’s OK to not be OK. That kaupapa is woven into everything we do.
Because what’s the point of building a business if we’re not looking after our people while we do it?
WE ACTUALLY GIVE A SH*T
!!!
WE ACTUALLY GIVE A SH*T !!!
WE ACTUALLY GIVE A SH*T
!!!
WE ACTUALLY GIVE A SH*T !!!
WE ACTUALLY GIVE A SH*T
!!!
WE ACTUALLY GIVE A SH*T !!!
Meet Our People
Muzz, Eel, Nuggies
James Wilson
Owner/ Operator
CRO (Chief Reminding Officer)
Candy
Candice Wilson
Owner / Operator
Office Lady , Mother Hen, Debt Collector
Nicko
Nicholas Zeylemaker
Senior Plumber
Drainslayer, Sh*t Talker , Rum Drinker
JoeyManu,JoCrowe
Joseph Crowe
Third Year Apprentice
Vibes Technician, Legend, Eye for detail
Tradie Dog
Lola Wilson
Barketing Manager
Head of Security (One Eye’s All She Needs)
Auggie
August Wilson
Mini Boss in Boots
CEO (Cutest Employee Onsite)
Our WHY is simple:
We want to do good work, for good people, with good values.
We want to give back, create opportunities, and help the next generation learn real skills, not just how to plumb, but how to show up, work hard, and be a decent human while they’re at it.
We’re more than plumbers.
We’re locals, leaders, and people-people. We back our work, we care about the details, and we’re proud to be building something solid, together.
Join the crew
Slide into our inbox and let’s find out if this is more than just a pipe dream.
ARE WE MISSING YOU ?