Our role

The services performed by plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers have a direct effect on the health and safety of all New Zealanders, their property and the environment. These services help ensure that drinking water is high quality, that waste water is disposed of in a sanitary manner and that gas installations in homes and other places are safe.The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (“the Board”) is the statutory body established under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 (“the Act”) to regulate these trades and promote the health and safety outcomes that New Zealand wants and deserves.

The Board is responsible for administering the registration and licensing systems of plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers and in doing so, is responsible for setting the minimum standards for registration and ensuring those persons carrying out regulated work are competent to do so. Broadly speaking, the Board’s powers and functions can be categorised into registration, licensing, competence, discipline and prosecution. The Board receives complaints and, as a result, may investigate and discipline registered persons (including provisional licence holders) or instigate a prosecution in the District Court against those working illegally in the industry, most commonly unregistered or unlicensed persons.

 

The Board is a not-for-profit body whose operational revenue is derived from fees (such as registrations, licences, examination) and levies on the tradespeople who are registered and licensed. There is no general tax payer contribution to any of its operations.

 

The Board operates within the building industry framework, including the Gas Act 1992 and the Building Act 2004.