Action serves to support building consent increases

Board enforcement action serves to support building consent increases

The recent conviction of company Aquatite Plumbing and Drainage and an employee has served as a timely reminder to consumers to ensure they only use authorised tradespeople for restricted plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying work.

Sanitary Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are regulated industries in New Zealand and it is illegal to do this restricted work unless authorised by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.

Samuel Butcher, an employee of Aquatite Plumbing and Drainage was recently uncovered working illegally during a Board enforcement project conducted in the Auckland and Hamilton regions.

The Board’s Chief Executive, Martin Sawyers says; “It’s vital that regions experiencing increases in new dwelling building consents can rely on competent tradespeople. The reason the provision of these services are restricted is because of the serious effects that this type of substandard work can have on public health and safety. The Board conducts regular enforcement projects in these areas. Enforcement officers check those providing plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying services are competent and hold a current authorisation”.

“Take every precaution when engaging with service providers by asking to see an authorisation card—tradespeople are required to produce it, said Mr Sawyers.

The Board advises all consumers to take every precaution when engaging with plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying services. It’s important to know that work undertaken by unlicensed people not only risks your family’s health and safety—but may also invalidate insurance.

Before partaking in the kiwi spirit of DIY consumers should contact the Board for a copy of the helpful consumer guide. It outlines the right steps to take to ensure you get it right.

On 17 June, Mr Butcher was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 6 months, in the Pukekohe District Court. Aquatite Plumbing and Drainage Limited was also convicted and fined $1,500, ordered to pay court costs of $130, and a solicitor’s fees of $113 for employing an unauthorised person.

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