The 7th World Plumbing Conference, held in Auckland, New Zealand, at the beginning of March 2005, attracted more than 500 delegates, representing 15 countries. Opened by New Zealand's Health Minister Annette King, the conference covered a variety of subjects related to public health, training, sanitation and water supply.

Speaking to delegates at the start of the conference, Annette King referred to the important role that professions like plumbing can play following international disasters like the December tsunami in the Indian Ocean. "While countries right around the world have responded with unprecedented levels of aid,"