Licensing changes welcomed

Proposed licensing regime changes for LBPs and other trades has been welcomed by industry bodies

The Government is progressing changes to occupational licenses for Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs), licensed electrical workers and licensed plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers, to encourage tradies to complete quality building work, give homeowners more confidence and provide a clear path to follow if things go wrong.

The changes to occupational licensing are scheduled to take effect in 2026 and include:

• Improving the disciplinary processes for LBPs by allowing the Registrar to triage complaints and appoint investigators where needed.
• Publishing details of those LBPs whose licences have been suspended for disciplinary reasons –helping homeowners choosing an LBP for their building work.
• Progressing work to establish a new waterproofing licence class – consumers can be confident LBPs completing their wet area bathrooms and level-entry showers are suitably qualified and accountable for their work.
• Improving the complaints processes for licensed electrical workers and licensed plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers – registrars can start the complaints process without a complainant.
• Establishing codes of ethics for licensed electrical workers and licensed plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers to promote professional standards of behaviour – any breach will become a disciplinary offence.

The changes are welcomed by Master Builders Chief Executive Ankit Sharma.

“Builders are highly skilled professionals, who take real pride in their work. These changes are designed to support the majority, who consistently operate at a high standard, while providing additional safeguards for consumers by targeting the small number, whose poor practice undermines confidence in the system.”

Sharma added that the proposed system would recognise and reward trusted builders for their professionalism, while lifting expectations and standards across the board.

“Ultimately, it allows trusted professionals to get on and build – more quickly, more efficiently, and with strong consumer protections in place.

“Master Builders remains committed to working closely with government to ensure these reforms deliver meaningful, positive outcomes for the sector and for all New Zealanders.”

Sharma continued that consent processing remains one of the biggest barriers to efficiency in the sector. He hopes that the licensing changes – in combination with recently announced changes to legislation regarding self-certification, which proposes to allow building professionals to self-certify their own work on low-risk builds, without the need for inspection, will create a more streamlined system. Currently, only electricians and gasfitters can self-certify.

“We believe these changes will help speed up project delivery and lead to better outcomes for homeowners. If we are going to reduce delays and improve efficiency, we must also ensure the right checks and balances are in place to lift quality across the sector and the Minister’s announcement strikes that balance.”

Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace welcomed the self-certification proposal, saying the industry “has wanted this for many years”.

He was also supportive of the proposed changes to the licensing regime.

“Master Plumbers welcomes the new waterproofing licence class and is supportive of the code of ethics to promote professional standards for the plumbing sector,” said Wallace. “These changes will ensure consumers have greater confidence in the licenced professional trades sector and make good common sense. Master Plumbers wants to ensure consumers have greater confidence when employing tradespeople and that these qualified professionals act with the highest degree of ethics.

“We support the endeavours that Minister Penk has implemented, and these will support plumbers and drainlayers moving to a self-certification system that will reduce red tape and benefit all consumers.”