Trade reform bills pass first reading in Parliament

Two new bills have passed their first reading in Parliament: one to let experienced plumbers and drainlayers self-certify their work, and another to strengthen accountability and standards across the building sector 

On 18 November, the Self Certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers Bill and the Building and Construction Strengthening Occupational Licensing Regimes Amendment Bill both cleared their first reading in parliament. 

Self-certification proposed for plumbing and drainage work 

The Self Certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers Bill would allow approved plumbers and drainlayers to self-certify straightforward residential plumbing and drainage work, without inspection from a building consent authority (BCA). 

Only routine, low-risk work would be self-certifiable. The Government says the specific types of work that qualify will be further defined in regulations. The work must also be carried out by a registered plumber or drainlayer who holds a self-certifying endorsement. 

The scheme is voluntary. BCAs would continue to oversee all other plumbing and drainage work, including complex or higher-risk jobs. 

Once self-certified work is complete, the practitioner must submit a Certificate of Compliance within 10 working days. This confirms the work meets the building consent and includes evidence such as photos, test results or as-built plans. The certificate must be accepted by the BCA and will be uploaded to a public register. It may be audited by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board, which will hold enforcement and disciplinary powers. 

Building and Construction minister Chris Penk claimed that most of the 16,000 standalone homes consented in 2024 would likely have included plumbing or drainlaying work that could be self-certified under the proposed changes. 

If passed, he said, the bill would “ease pressure on the consent system by allowing BCAs to focus on processing paperwork and conducting inspections for more complex and higher-risk projects”. 

Second bill aimed at improving accountability across trades 

The Building and Construction Strengthening Occupational Licensing Regimes Amendment Bill aims to support self-certification by improving how licensing, complaints and disciplinary processes work across the sector. 

For Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs), it would give the Registrar more powers to investigate complaints, suspend or cancel licences, and publish details of disciplinary action. 

For plumbers, gasfitters, drainlayers and licensed electrical workers, the bill proposes changes to complaint handling processes and the introduction of Codes of Ethics intended to uplift behavioral standards. 

The Government says the bill will improve accountability across the trades and make it easier for consumers to address problems when building work goes wrong. 

“New Zealand has a skilled building industry, but high-profile cases of poor workmanship can unfairly tarnish the sector’s reputation,” said Penk.  

“It’s important to address this as more responsibility shifts from BCAs to building professionals.” 

Part of broader government push  

Both bills back the Government’s wider push to cut red tape and make it easier to get building work done across New Zealand.  

“The Government is cutting red tape in the building consent system to make it easier and more affordable to deliver the new homes and infrastructure we need to raise living standards and grow the economy,” said Penk.