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."