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Two successful prosecutions against unlicensed workers
Media release
12 September
2013
Board brings two successful prosecutions against unlicensed electrical workers
Two unregistered people have been convicted and fined, following separate investigations by the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB).
EWRB Registrar John Sickels says two separate investigations have resulted in two prosecutions last month, one in the Waitakere District Court, the other in the Christchurch District Court.
The EWRB was established in 1992 and is responsible for the ongoing competency of over 30,000 registered electrical and electronic workers in New Zealand. Part of the function of the Board is to exercise disciplinary powers and bring prosecutions where necessary under the Electricity Act 1992.
Mr Sickels says on 9 August 2013, a man pleaded guilty to two charges in the Waitakere District Court, which related to performing prescribed electrical work, installing air conditioning units, heatpumps and cool rooms at 18 commercial properties in Auckland over the course of a year. The man also issued a number of Certificates of Compliance for the work, which can only be issued by a registered electrical worker.
The man was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay reparation of more than $3,000, plus Court costs and solicitor’s costs.
On 21 August 2013, a man was fined a total of $11,500 in the Christchurch District Court, on two charges of carrying out unauthorised prescribed electrical work and holding himself out as a registered electrician. The charges related to the installation of a number of heat pumps at various properties in Christchurch over a month-long period in 2011 as well as issuing Certificates of Compliance for the work performed.
“All consumers should be aware that registered and licensed electricians must do prescribed electrical work. The role of the EWRB is to help keep New Zealand consumers safe and make sure we have high quality electrical work being carried out in all parts of the country,” Mr Sickels says.
“The EWRB continues to be vigilant in relation to unregistered and unlicensed workers and will prosecute wherever necessary, in order to keep New Zealanders safe.”
In July, the EWRB brought successful prosecutions against a further four unlicensed people in separate investigations in Whangarei, Thames, Porirua and Wellington.
For more information about the EWRB, go to
their website:
www.ewrb.govt.nz
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