26 | Aquaholics � Kelly Deeks Award winner focuses on team training Aquaholics fosters a dynamic environment where employees are genuinely excited about their work. “Looking back now, with our processes, our team, and everything we’ve put in place, we’re a much more well-rounded business.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Aquaholics, a Bay of Plenty plumbing, gas fitting, and drainlaying business that started as a two-man operation in a single-car garage in 2014, has now been named Tauranga’s Business of the Year at the Farmer Autovillage Tauranga Business Awards 2025. The award was in recognition of its outstanding growth, its commitment to its people, and its transformative impact on the industry. “How cool is that,” says Aquaholics co-founder Kieran Rutherford. “We actually entered the awards a couple of years after we started, but looking back now, with our processes, our team, and everything we’ve put in place, we’re a much more well-rounded business. Winning this award is amazing, but we’re not stopping here. We’re committed to continuous growth, training the next generation, and making sure we keep setting the bar high.” At the heart of Aquaholics’ success is a simple yet powerful asset: its people. “We make sure our team feels supported, has the tools they need to do the job, and is treated with respect. It’s not hard to do, and when you empower your people properly, the right team will always deliver.” Aquaholics fosters a dynamic environment where employees are genuinely excited about their work. The owners have a focus on internal growth and leadership development. By continuously training team members and promoting from within, the company has created a culture of opportunity and career progression. “We keep training our team, bringing them through the ranks, supporting their career paths, and that leads to natural growth,” Kieran says. “Some of our guys have stepped up into leadership roles, adding structure at the top. That’s the key to balancing growth while maintaining our culture.” Despite its rapid success, the journey hasn’t always been straightforward. “There’s no manual on how to run a business, or how to make the right decisions at the right time. Like any leadership team, we each have our strengths and weaknesses, but our open conversations and decision-making processes give us confidence in our direction.” Beyond their own business, the Aquaholics founders are committed to improving the plumbing and drainlaying industry as a whole. Finding quality tradespeople is tough, so Aquaholics focuses on training from within and bringing new people through. With that mission comes a big responsibility to ensure apprentices learn the right way, and gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Training is a major priority at Aquaholics, with structured development programmes in place. “Every second week, we hold training days where our plumbers and drainlayers crosstrain. It’s amazing to see the interest and engagement from both sides. They’re genuinely keen to expand their skill sets, and seeing that level of engagement and enthusiasm is so great to watch.” The Tauranga Business Awards judges were equally impressed by Aquaholics’ trajectory. Convenor of judges, Jamie Lunam highlighted the company’s ability to thrive in a highly competitive sector where price often dictates success. He says Aquaholics set out to do things differently, and certainly achieved it, building not only a successful business, but also cultivating a supportive, people-first culture that is rare in the industry. Judges also praised the company’s commitment to employee well-being, particularly its efforts to break down the traditional ‘harden up’ mentality in the trades. Instead, they are dedicated to fostering a positive and supportive work environment – something other businesses could learn from.
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