Dulux NZ employs father and son

Taulima Tuiletufuga and his father Taulima Tuiletufuga share more than a Samoan name.  They also share a workplace. Taulima (Senior) has worked at Dulux New Zealand’s Gracefield manufacturing plant for 32 years, while his son has worked there for over 17 years.

“I love working at Dulux,” says Junior (Leo), who was given that nickname by his colleagues to differentiate him from his father.  “We all work well together.  It is like one big family,” he says.

Junior (Leo) is a Quality Control Laboratory Technician, while his father – known in the factory as Senior, is a Paint Technician.

Dulux has a long history in Aotearoa, having manufactured paint at the Gracefield, Wellington plant for over 80 years.  The Tuiletufuga family have spent many of those years working for Dulux New Zealand.

After finishing college, Junior (Leo) started working on the factory floor at the Gracefield plant in 2004.  He initially worked with his father in the solvent-based paint department. 

In 2009, the Dulux Gracefield site was redeveloped. Dulux’s water-based paint production capability was increased, while the production of solvent-based paint at that site was removed.  Junior (Leo) and Senior then started working with water-based paint.

Junior (Leo) has been promoted over the years. A year ago, he took on the role of Quality Control Laboratory Technician. He enjoys his job: colour matching paints, testing the paint’s viscosity, and ensuring the paint is within defined specifications.