Wesley Siō, director of water services business Reticulate Water, became the 1,000th certification under the Civil Trades scheme when he recertified recently.

The Auckland man's journey in the water industry began in 2009 as a drainage labourer, before moving into a water reactive trainee role in early 2011 in the South Island where he was part of the vital repair efforts following the devastating Christchurch earthquakes.

He says those early years taught him the value of resilience, teamwork, and the responsibility that comes with keeping communities connected to life’s most essential resource. Coming from a culture where service is deeply ingrained, Wesley sees his work as more than just a job, it’s a way to give back. 

“While I’m out there fixing broken water mains and pipes, I know I’m helping ensure our communities have water flowing 24/7. That’s my way of serving and protecting the people around me.”

After more than a decade working for others, Wesley took the leap in 2023 to start Reticulate Water. He first became Civil Trades certified in 2018 and says recertifying was an easy decision.

“It provides recognition for the years of work and dedication put in,” he says – proof that hard work and pride in your craft can keep communities healthy and the water flowing.

Wesley hopes his journey shows that with dedication, hard work, and pride in your craft, you can create something that not only sustains your career but also leaves a lasting impact on your community.