Ross Mitchell-Anyon has the tenacity to come through what will be a marathon recovery, his wife Bobbi says.
Mrs Mitchell-Anyon has remained by her husband's side since he fell 12m on Tuesday evening while working on a sprinkler system in one of his buildings in Taupo Quay.
The Wanganui artist is in a serious condition in Wellington Hospital and his wife told the Chronicle: "I just talk to him all day - I believe he's hearing it.
"I know he will pull through. He's such a strong man. I'm sure he's going to come back and annoy us all again.
"I told him he can be as bad as he wanted. Yesterday he was sort of squeezing my hand and I think that's a good sign."
Mrs Mitchell-Anyon has been overwhelmed by the support from people in Wanganui.
"He's receiving amazing care. I know that people in Wanganui are very concerned about him, and we all feel that support. It's amazing the messages - all our phones are blocked with texts."
That support was appreciated by the family.
"We're all shattered but we are all supporting each other. Our love for him is the important thing at the moment."
Mitchell-Anyon, a former Wanganui District Council member and renowned potter, was flown to Wellington Hospital's intensive care unit on Wednesday morning.
Mrs Mitchell-Anyon said yesterday her husband was still unconscious and on a ventilator. "He's just hanging in there," she said. "He's tenacious as you would expect someone with his personality and dynamism."
There had been no significant change since Wednesday and it was a matter of playing a waiting game, she said. "Rather than a sprint it's going to be a marathon."