The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (“the Board”) is a statutory body established under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 (“the Act”) to promote the health and safety of all New Zealanders through an efficient and effective regulatory system. The Act is administered by the Department of Building and Housing (DBH).

Services performed by plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers have a direct effect on the quality of drinking water, the sanitary disposal of waste and the safe supply of gas. In regulating the trade and registering people, the Board seeks to promote and safeguard the health and safety of people, their property and the environment.

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.

Registration for the first time

All registration applications are required to be considered by the Board under section 40 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006. Registration applications will be processed on a ‘date received’ basis. Each month a schedule of applicants for registration is prepared and sent to the Board in advance of the meeting. This gives the Board time to consider applications and to make any necessary enquiries in advance.

Board meetings are generally held on the last Tuesday of each month. To be placed on any schedule an application needs to be received by us at least 12 working days prior to the date of the Board’s meeting. This usually means that applications received after the 10th will not be considered until the following month's meeting.

For more information, please contact one of our offices

Last Updated: 12 February 2012

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