Parliament bill

Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Bill

Royal assent · Introduced by Hon Chris Penk · National Party

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What this bill does

The bill passed its third reading 101–21; the vote was not unanimous. According to the Minister, building-consent inspections can delay plumbing and drainlaying work and add costs, particularly where building consent authorities have limited capacity. The bill aims to offer an optional faster pathway for eligible plumbing and drainlaying work while retaining oversight of higher-risk work. The bill lets Board-endorsed plumbers and drainlayers certify specified work as meeting a building consent. Owners provide the certificate when seeking code compliance, and the building consent authority must accept it for that work rather than inspect it; the Board sets standards and can audit, suspend, or cancel endorsements.

AI-assisted summary based on the bill text and linked Hansard debates.

Latest voting result

May 27, 2026
Third reading: Passed Party vote

Ayes 101 · Noes 21

  • National Party Aye · 48 votes
  • Labour Party Aye · 34 votes
  • ACT Party Aye · 11 votes
  • NZ First Party Aye · 8 votes
  • Green Party No · 15 votes
  • Te Pāti Māori No · 4 votes
  • Ferris, Tākuta No
  • Kapa-Kingi, Mariameno No

View the vote in Hansard

Earlier votes (1)

April 23, 2026

Second reading: Passed Party vote

Ayes 102 · Noes 21

  • National Party Aye · 49 votes
  • Labour Party Aye · 34 votes
  • ACT Party Aye · 11 votes
  • NZ First Party Aye · 8 votes
  • Green Party No · 15 votes
  • Te Pāti Māori No · 5 votes
  • Ferris, Tākuta No

Arguments raised in Parliament

AI-assisted summary of the linked Hansard debates. Each point is grounded in the cited transcript.

Arguments for

Qualified plumbers and drainlayers can replace building-consent-authority inspections with self-certification, saving practitioners, councils, and building owners time and money.

Building consent authorities can redirect limited inspection resources from eligible plumbing and drainlaying work to higher-risk work, improving regulatory efficiency.

The Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board can audit self-certifiers and discipline defective practice, which is intended to preserve oversight and consumer confidence after routine inspections are removed.

Rural and provincial building owners can avoid delays caused by inspector travel and availability when endorsed practitioners self-certify eligible work.

Arguments against

Homeowners may be left with expensive latent defects because plumbing failures can be hidden underground or in walls and the bill does not itself require practitioners to keep insurance current.

Nuance and qualifications

The scheme reallocates rather than removes building-consent-authority oversight, because councils still assess plumbing and drainlaying design against the building code before granting consent.

Building owners and businesses retain a choice to use ordinary building-consent-authority inspections instead of self-certification, trading potential speed and savings for direct council assurance.

Bill text

Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Bill

Version published May 26, 2026 00:00.

Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Bill The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows: 1 Title This Act is the Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2025 . 2 Commencement This Act comes into force on 30 June 2026. However, sections 16 , 38(1) and (2) , 39 to 41 , 44, and 45 46 and section 18 , as it relates to section 87AI of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006, come into force on the day after Royal assent. 3 Principal Act This Part amends the Building Act 2004. 4 Section 7 amended (Interpretation) In section 7(1), insert in their appropriate alphabetical order: certificate of compliance means a certificate of compliance issued under section 87AD of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 self-certifiable drainlaying has the meaning given in regulations made under section 172 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 self-certifiable drainlaying has the meaning given in section 4 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 self-certifiable plumbing has the meaning given in regulations made under section 172 of the Plu…
Read full bill text
Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Bill The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows: 1 Title This Act is the Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2025 . 2 Commencement This Act comes into force on 30 June 2026. However, sections 16 , 38(1) and (2) , 39 to 41 , 44, and 45 46 and section 18 , as it relates to section 87AI of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006, come into force on the day after Royal assent. 3 Principal Act This Part amends the Building Act 2004. 4 Section 7 amended (Interpretation) In section 7(1), insert in their appropriate alphabetical order: certificate of compliance means a certificate of compliance issued under section 87AD of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 self-certifiable drainlaying has the meaning given in regulations made under section 172 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 self-certifiable drainlaying has the meaning given in section 4 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 self-certifiable plumbing has the meaning given in regulations made under section 172 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 self-certifiable plumbing has the meaning given in section 4 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer has the meaning given in section 4 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 5 Section 45 amended (How to apply for building consent) After section 45(1)(bc), insert: bd if the building work includes self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work (whether or not the building work includes other sanitary plumbing or drainlaying) and the applicant wishes to rely on section 94(2)(aa) ,— i state the name of each self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer who will do, assist in doing, or supervise the self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work that is the subject of the application if they are engaged at the time of the application; and ii be accompanied by a declaration— A in the form approved by the chief executive (if any) stating that the plumbing or drainlaying work is self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work; and B given by a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer, registered architect, or chartered professional engineer, or by a licensed building practitioner who is licensed in a class designated in regulations made under section 285 to carry out or supervise design work; and i state that the applicant wishes to rely on section 94(2)(aa) ; and ii state the name of each self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer who will do, assist in doing, or supervise the self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work that is the subject of the application (if they are engaged at the time of the application); and After section 45(1), insert: 1A A declaration provided under subsection (1)(bd)(ii) does not, in itself,— a create any liability in relation to any matter to which the declaration relates; or b give rise to any civil liability to the owner that would not otherwise exist if the person giving the declaration were not required to give the declaration. 6 Section 49 amended (Grant of building consent) After section 49(1), insert: 1A A building consent authority may only grant a building consent in relation to plumbing or drainlaying work for which the application is made in reliance on section 94(2)(aa) if— a a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer will do, assist in doing, or supervise the work; and b the building consent authority is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the work is self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work. 7 New section 89A inserted (Owner must notify names of self-certification endorsed plumbers or drainlayers engaged in building work) After section 89, insert: 89A Owner must notify names of self-certification endorsed plumbers or drainlayers engaged in building work 1 The owner must, as soon as practicable, give the building consent authority written notice of the name of every self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer who— a will issue a certificate of compliance in relation to the plumbing or drainlaying work; and b was not stated in the application for the building consent under section 45(1)(bd) . 2 After any self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work commences under a building consent, the owner must give the building consent authority a written notice if— a a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer who was included in the application for a building consent under section 45(1)(bd) ceases to be engaged in relation to the self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work under the building consent; or b another self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer is engaged to do, assist in doing, or supervise the self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work and will issue a certificate of compliance in relation to that building work. 3 The notice under subsection (2) must— a state whether either or both of the circumstances specified in subsection (2)(a) and (b) apply; and b be given as soon as practicable; and c name the other self-certification endorsed plumbers or drainlayers concerned (if any). 8 Section 92 amended (Application for code compliance certificate) After section 92(3A), insert: 3B The application under subsection (1) must be accompanied by a certificate of compliance issued by a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer, and any prescribed supporting documents, if the application for the applicable building consent relied on section 45(1)(bd) . 9 Section 94 amended (Matters for consideration by building consent authority in deciding issue of code compliance certificate) After section 94(2)(a), insert: aa must accept a certificate of compliance issued by a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer in relation to self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work as establishing that the work to which the certificate applies complies with the building consent; and After section 94(3), insert: 3A If the owner fails to provide a building consent authority with a certificate of compliance in relation to self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work for which a building consent has been granted under section 49(1A) , the failure is a sufficient reason for the building consent authority to refuse to issue a code compliance certificate in respect of the self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work. 3B If a building consent application under section 45 did not rely upon subsection (2)(aa) , the building consent authority may not rely on subsection (2)(aa) when deciding whether to issue a code compliance certificate. 11 Section 216 amended (Territorial authority must keep information about buildings) After section 216(2)(b)(ivb), insert: ivc certificates of compliance: 11A Section 238A amended (Information to be supplied by stand-alone building consent authority) After section 238A(3)(c)(iv), insert: v certificates of compliance (where relevant): 12 Section 392 amended (Building consent authority not liable) After section 392(1)(ca), insert: cb a certificate of compliance issued by a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer under section 87AD of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006: 13 Schedule 1AA amended In Schedule 1AA ,— a insert the Part set out in Schedule 1 of this Act as the last Part; and b make all necessary consequential amendments. 14 Principal Act This Part amends the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006. 15 Section 4 amended (Interpretation) In section 4, insert in their appropriate alphabetical order: endorsement means an endorsement that a person is a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer under section 51D self-certifiable drainlaying has the meaning given in regulations made under section 172 self-certifiable plumbing has the meaning given in regulations made under section 172 self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer means a person endorsed as a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer under section 51D In section 4, definition of register , after requires, the register kept under , insert Part 2AA or . 16 Section 30 amended (Board may prescribe other registration and licensing matters) After section 30(1)(c), insert: ca prescribe the terms and conditions subject to which endorsements are granted; and After section 30(1)(d), insert: da prescribe the minimum standards that persons must meet in order to obtain an endorsement as a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer, which must include standards relating to technical competency, experience, ability to meet potential civil liability, and business and administrative practices; and 17 New sections 51A to 51H and cross-heading inserted After section 51, insert: Obtaining endorsement for self-certification 51A Requirements for self-certification endorsement A registered person may be endorsed as a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer if the person satisfies the Board that they— a hold a current practising licence as required by the Board; and b have complied with the application requirements in section 51B ; and c meet the minimum standards for endorsement ( see section 30(1)(da) ); and d are not precluded from holding an endorsement because of any action taken by the Board under section 106; and e have paid the prescribed fee (if any). 51B Applications for self-certification endorsement 1 An application for an endorsement must— a be sent or delivered to the Registrar; and b be in the form required by the Board; and c contain, or be accompanied by, the information and documentation required by the Board; and d be accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any). 2 The Registrar must refer any application received by the Registrar under this section to the Board for consideration under section 51C . 51C Board to consider application 1 The Board must consider each application for an endorsement as soon as practicable after receiving it. 2 In considering an application for an endorsement, the Board must,— a if the applicant has previously had their endorsement cancelled or suspended, have regard to the reasons for that cancellation or suspension; and b observe the rules of natural justice; and c without limiting those rules, give the applicant— i notice of any matter that might result in the application being declined; and ii a reasonable opportunity to make submissions to the Board on the matter. 51D Board may endorse practising licence or decline application 1 If the Board is satisfied that the applicant may be endorsed under section 51A , the Board may endorse the applicant’s practising licence and must then— a notify the applicant in writing of the endorsement; and b notify the applicant in writing of any terms and conditions of the endorsement under section 51E ; and c direct the Registrar to enter details of the endorsement on the applicant’s practising licence in the register. 2 If the Board declines to grant an endorsement to the applicant, the Board must notify the applicant in writing of— a the Board’s decision; and b the Board’s reasons for declining the application; and c the applicant’s right of appeal to the District Court against the decision. 3 As soon as practicable after receiving the Board’s direction under subsection (1) , the Registrar must enter details of the applicant’s endorsement in the register. 4 Despite subsection (1) , if any fee or other money payable to the Board under this Act by the applicant has not been paid, the Board may refuse to grant their endorsement until that fee or other money is paid. 51E Endorsement subject to terms and conditions 1 An endorsement is subject to any terms and conditions that the Board thinks fit. 2 The terms and conditions may include, for example,— a terms and conditions of the kind referred to in section 30: b a condition that imposes limits on the circumstances in which a particular self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer may do, assist in doing, or supervise work: c a condition that imposes limits on the work that a particular self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer may do, or assist in doing, or supervise under the endorsement. 3 The conditions referred to in subsection (2)(b) and (c) may be in addition to, or instead of, any other limits that would apply in respect of an endorsement. 4 The Board may, by written notice to a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer, revoke, amend, or add to any term or condition imposed under subsection (1) . Duration and renewal of self-certification endorsement 51F Duration of self-certification endorsement 1 An endorsement must specify the date on which it expires. 2 The date of expiry must not be later than 3 years after the date on which an endorsement was granted or renewed. 3 An endorsement continues in force until the date of its expiry unless sooner suspended or cancelled. 51G Applications for renewal of self-certification endorsement 1 An application for the renewal of an endorsement— a must not be made earlier than 3 months before the endorsement expires; and b must be sent or delivered to the Registrar; and c must be in the form required by the Board; and d must contain, or be accompanied by, the information and documentation required by the Board; and e must be accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any). 2 The Registrar must refer the application to the Board for consideration under section 51H . 3 If the application is made before the endorsement’s date of expiry but the endorsement has not been renewed before that date of expiry, the endorsement continues in force until the application is determined. 51H Renewal of self-certification endorsement 1 The Board may renew a self-certification endorsed plumber’s or drainlayer’s endorsement if the Board is satisfied that— a the applicant has complied with the application requirements in section 51G ; and b the applicant meets the current minimum standards for endorsement prescribed under section 30(1)(da) ; and c there is no reason to believe that the applicant has breached any term or condition of the endorsement during the period before the endorsement is renewed; and d the applicant is not precluded from having their endorsement renewed because of any action taken by the Board under section 106. 2 If the Board renews a person’s endorsement, the Board must direct the Registrar to— a record the renewal of the applicant’s endorsement for the period (not exceeding 3 years) that the Board thinks fit; and b notify the applicant in writing of the Board’s decision; and c notify the applicant in writing of any terms and conditions on the endorsement; and d enter details of the renewal of the endorsement in the register. 3 If the Board does not renew a person’s endorsement, the Board must notify the applicant of— a the Board’s decision; and b the applicant’s right of appeal to the District Court against the decision. 4 Despite subsection (1) , if any fee or other money payable to the Board under this Act by the applicant has not been paid, the Board may refuse to renew their endorsement until that fee or other money is paid. 17A New section 56A and cross-heading inserted After section 56, insert: Audit of self-certification endorsed plumbers and drainlayers 56A Board may audit self-certification endorsed plumbers and drainlayers 1 The Board may audit a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer at any time. 2 The audit must be for 1 or more of the following purposes: a to establish that the self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer meets the minimum standards for endorsement, as prescribed under section 30(1)(da) : b to establish that the self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer is complying with any terms and conditions prescribed under section 30(1)(ca) or imposed on their endorsement under section 51E : c in relation to any certificate of compliance issued by the self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer, to establish that the plumber or drainlayer— i made an assessment that the self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work was carried out in accordance with the relevant building consent; and ii that assessment was made in accordance with the standard reasonably to be expected of a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer. 3 For the purpose of conducting the audit, the Board may, by written notice served on the self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer, require the plumber or drainlayer to— a produce for inspection, within any reasonable period that the Board may specify, any document or class of document in the possession or under the control of the plumber or drainlayer: b provide, within any reasonable period that the Board may specify, any information or class of information that the Board may require. 4 The Board may take copies of, or extracts from, any of the documents referred to in subsection (3) . 5 Every person who is required to supply information or documents to the Board has the same privileges in relation to the supply of the information or documents as witnesses have in any court. 18 New Part 2AA inserted After section 87, insert: 2AA Self-certification of self-certifiable plumbing and drainlaying 87AA Purpose of this Part The purpose of this Part is to regulate the activities of self-certification endorsed plumbers and drainlayers in order to ensure the purposes of this Act are achieved. 87AB Interpretation of this Part In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires, perform , in relation to self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work, means to do, assist in doing, or supervise that work. 87AC Self-certification endorsement required A registered person may issue a certificate of compliance for any self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work only if— a they are a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer; and b they performed the work while being a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer. Issuing of certificate of compliance 87AD Issuing of certificate of compliance 1 A self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer must issue a certificate of compliance for any work that they wish to certify. 2 A self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer may issue a certificate of compliance only if the plumbing or drainlaying work was carried out in accordance with the applicable building consent. 3 For the purposes of this section, building consent has the same meaning as given in section 7(1) of the Building Act 2004. 87AE Content of certificate of compliance A certificate of compliance issued under section 87AD must— a be in the form required by the Board; and b contain the information prescribed in regulations made under section 172(1)(fb) . 87AF Provision of certificate of compliance 1 A self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer must lodge every certificate of compliance they issue with the Board. 2 That certificate of compliance must be accompanied by any supporting documents— a that include any information prescribed by regulations made under section 172(1)(fb) ; and b that contain any particulars prescribed by the Board; and c in the form prescribed by the Board. 3 The self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer must also provide the certificate of compliance and any accompanying supporting documents to the owner. 4 This section must be complied with within 10 working days after the plumbing or drainlaying work is completed. Public register of information relating to certificates of compliance 87AG Board to establish public register 1 The Board must ensure that a register of information relating to certificates of compliance and supporting documents lodged with the Board under section 87AF(1) is established. 2 The register must include information relating to certificates of compliance and supporting documents as prescribed by the Board. 3 The register must be kept by, or as directed by, the Registrar. 4 The register must be available to be searched by the public free of charge. 87AH Application of certain sections about register of plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers 1 Sections 73 and 81 to 87 apply, with any necessary modifications, as if the register referred to in those sections were the register of information relating to certificates of compliance established under section 87AG . 2 In applying section 81,— a the reference to the information specified in section 74 must be read as a reference to the information relating to certificates of compliance and supporting documents prescribed by the Board under section 87AG(2) ; and b the reference to the Registrar making any amendment to the register should be read as a reference to the Registrar amending the register or directing it to be amended. Implementation and monitoring 87AI Chief executive to implement and monitor endorsements 1 The chief executive may— a develop, establish, and manage the register established under section 87AG in collaboration with the Board; and b support the Board in making any changes to the register established under section 70 that are necessary to ensure that sections 72 and 74 as they relate to endorsements are complied with; and c provide operational advice and support to the Board in relation to the Board’s duties under sections 51A to 51H and to anything incidental that is necessary for carrying out, or giving full effect to, those sections; and d support the Board in taking any steps necessary to educate those who may apply for an endorsement under section 51B or the general public on matters set out in sections 51A to 51H , Part 2AA , or section 49(1A) of the Building Act 2004. 2 The chief executive must monitor the establishment and continued operation of this Part by the Board and the impact of this Part on the performance of the building sector under the Building Act 2004. 3 The functions of the chief executive in this section are functions for the purpose of section 53(1A)(b)(i) of the Building Act 2004. 4 In this section, chief executive has the same meaning as given in section 7(1) of the Building Act 2004. Audit of certificate of compliance 87AJ Board may audit certificates of compliance 1 The Board may conduct an audit of any certificate of compliance and supporting documents lodged with the Board under section 87AF . 2 The Board may conduct an audit to establish that— a the person who issued the certificate of compliance was a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer at the time the certificate was issued: b the certificate of compliance was issued in relation to work that was self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work: c the certificate of compliance was issued in relation to work that complies with the building code as defined in section 7(1) of the Building Act 2004: d any work that was performed for which a certificate of compliance has been issued was carried out in compliance with the relevant building consent issued under section 49 of the Building Act 2004. 19 Section 53 amended (Review of registered person’s competence) After section 53(2), insert: 3 The Board may, at any time, review the competence of a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer to do, assist in doing, or supervise self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work, whether or not there is reason to believe that the person’s competence may be deficient. 4 In conducting a review under subsection (3) , the Board must consider the following matters: a whether, in the Board’s opinion, the self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer meets the current applicable minimum standards for endorsement; and b whether, in the Board’s opinion, there is any reason to believe that the self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer may endanger the health or safety of members of the public; and c whether, in the Board’s opinion, the self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer has done, assisted in doing, or supervised self-certifiable plumbing work or self-certifiable drainlaying work to the standard reasonably to be expected of a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer; and d whether, in the Board’s opinion, the self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer has issued any certificate of compliance under section 87AD in accordance with the standard reasonably to be expected of a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer issuing a certificate of compliance. 20 Section 54 amended (Procedure on review of competence) In section 54(3)(b), after licence , insert or endorsement . 21 Section 55 amended (Competence programmes) In section 55(1)(a), (b), and (c), replace or provisional licences with , provisional licences, or endorsements . In section 55(3)(a), after or the practising licence , insert or endorsement . In section 55(3)(b), after registration , insert or endorsement . 22 Section 56 amended (Unsatisfactory results of competence programme) In section 56(1)(a), (b), and (c), replace or provisional licence with , provisional licence, or endorsement . In sections 56(2) and 56(2)(a), after licence , insert or endorsement . 23 Section 57 amended (Cancellation and suspension generally) In section 57(1), replace or provisional licence with provisional licence, or endorsement . In section 57(1)(c),— a after a licence , insert or an endorsement ; and b replace or licence with , licence, or endorsement . In section 57(2), replace (if any) is with and any endorsement the person holds (if any) are . After section 57(3)(b), insert: c a person’s endorsement— i in accordance with section 56 (which concerns competence); or ii in accordance with Part 3 (which concerns disciplinary proceedings). In section 57(4), replace or provisional licence with provisional licence, or endorsement . In section 57(5), replace or a practising licence with , practising licence, or endorsement . 24 Section 58 amended (Effect of suspension) After section 58(3), insert: 3A If a person’s endorsement is suspended, the person— a is not a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer for the period during which the endorsement is suspended; and b is not authorised to issue a certificate of compliance in relation to any work that they did, assisted in doing, or supervised during that period; but c continues to be registered and hold any licence they held at the time their endorsement was suspended (unless their registration or licence is also suspended). In section 58(4),— a replace or provisional licence with provisional licence, or endorsement ; and b replace or licence with , licence, or endorsement . 25 Section 59 amended (Board may cancel registration or licence if obtained wrongfully) In the heading to section 59, replace or licence with , licence, or endorsement . In section 59(1),— a replace or provisional licence with provisional licence, or endorsement ; and b paragraph (a), after licence , insert or endorsement ; and c paragraph (b), replace or issued with the licence with , issued with the licence, or endorsed . 26 Section 72 amended (Purpose of register) In section 72(1)(a)(i),— a replace or employer licence with employer licence, or endorsement ; and b replace or licence with , licence, or endorsement . In section 72(1)(b),— a after a licence , insert or endorsement ; and b replace or licence with , licence, or endorsement . 27 Section 74 amended (Matters to be contained in register) After section 74(1)(c)(v), insert: va whether the person holds an endorsement; and vb the expiry date of any endorsement; and In section 74(1)(c)(vii), replace or practising licence with , practising licence, or endorsement . In section 74(1)(d), after former Act, , insert or endorsement held by the person under this Act, . 28 Section 78 amended (Revision of register) After section 78(1)(b), insert: c a person who holds an endorsement wishes to have that endorsement cancelled. In section 78(2), replace or employer licence holder with employer licence holder, or person who holds an endorsement . In section 78(3),— a after registered person , insert or person who holds an endorsement ; and b replace or practising licence with , practising licence, or endorsement in each place. In section 78(5),— a after or employer licence holder , insert or person who holds an endorsement ; and b replace that the registration or practising licence (or both) of the registered person, or the licence of the provisional licence holder or employer licence holder, with that their registration, licence, or endorsement (as relevant) . Replace section 78(6)(a) with: a the registered person’s registration, practising licence, or endorsement (as relevant) be cancelled; or 29 Section 79 amended (Restoration of registration or licence) In the heading to section 79, replace or licence with , licence, or endorsement . In section 79(1), replace or licence with , licence, or endorsement . In section 79(2), replace or licence with , licence, or endorsement . In section 79(2)(a), after licence , insert , or have their licence endorsed as a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer . 30 Section 80 amended (Board may direct Registrar to record cancellation, suspension, or order) In section 80(a) and (b), replace or of a licence with , of a licence, or of an endorsement . 31 Section 89 amended (Disciplinary offence) In section 89(c), replace or licence with , licence, or endorsement . After section 89(f), insert: fa to have failed to have complied with section 87AF (relating to certificates of compliance); or 32 Section 106 amended (Disciplinary powers of Board) In section 106(1)(a),— a subparagraph (i), replace the person’s registration or practising licence (or both) with the person’s registration, practising licence, or endorsement (or any combination of those) ; and b subparagraph (iii), replace or re-licensed with , re-licensed, or re-endorsed . In section 106(1)(b) and (c), replace the person’s registration or practising licence (or both) with the person’s registration, practising licence, or endorsement (or any combination of those) . After section 106(2)(c), insert: d file any specified return. 33 Section 111 amended (Consequences of failure to comply with order to pass examination, complete competence programme, or attend course of instruction) In section 111(1)(a) and (b), replace or provisional licence with provisional licence, or endorsement . In section 111(2), replace or a licence with , a licence, or an endorsement . 34 Section 121 amended (False declarations and representations) In section 121,— a replace $10,000 with $20,000 ; and b after renewal of a licence, , insert endorsement, renewal of endorsement, . 35 Section 122 amended (Unlicensed or unregistered person must not claim to be licensed or registered) Replace the heading to section 122 with Unlicensed, unregistered, or unendorsed person must not claim to be licensed, registered, or endorsed . In section 122, replace $10,000 with $20,000 . In section 122(a),— a after work , insert or not being endorsed under Part 2 to self-certify self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work ; and b in subparagraphs (i), (ii), and (iii), replace or licensed with , licensed, or endorsed . In section 122(b),— a after work , insert or not being endorsed under Part 2 to self-certify self-certifiable plumbing or self-certifiable drainlaying work ; and b replace or licensed; with , licensed, or endorsed; . In section 122(c), replace or licence with , licence, or endorsement . 36 Section 125 amended (Other offences related to sanitary plumbing, drainlaying, or gasfitting) In section 125(3), after issued insert or endorsement granted . 37 Section 126 amended (Certificate by Registrar to be evidence of various matters) In section 126(2)(a), after of licence insert or endorsement . In section 126(2)(c), replace or licence with , licence, or endorsement . 38 Section 137 amended (Functions of Board) In section 137(d), after issued insert and endorsements are granted . After section 137(d), insert: da to prescribe the minimum standards that a person must meet in order to be eligible for endorsement as a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer: db to assist the chief executive (as defined in section 7(1) of the Building Act 2004) in their monitoring of the impact of Part 2AA on the performance of the building sector under the Building Act 2004: In section 137(g),— a replace and licences with , licences, and endorsements ; and b replace and issue licences with , issue licences, and grant endorsements . In section 137(j), after licences , insert and endorsements . In section 137(k)(i), replace and employer licence holders with employer licence holders, and persons holding endorsements . After section 137(k), insert: ka to audit self-certification endorsed plumbers and drainlayers under section 56A : kb to audit certificates of compliance issued under Part 2AA : 39 Section 142 amended (Board may prescribe fees) After section 142(1)(b), insert: ba an application for an endorsement under Part 2: bb an application to renew an endorsement under Part 2: 40 New section 143A inserted (Levy relating to endorsement) After section 143, insert: 143A Levy relating to endorsement 1 The Board may, by notice, impose on every self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer an endorsement levy of any amount it thinks fit for the purpose of funding the costs arising out of auditing self-certification endorsed plumbers and drainlayers under section 56A and certificates of compliance under section 87AJ . 2 Any notice imposing any levy under this section may exempt from liability to pay the levy any class or classes of registered person, and may provide for the waiver or refund of any levy. 41 Section 145 amended (Further provisions relating to fees, levy, and forms) In the heading to section 145, replace levy with levies . In section 145(1AAA), replace or 143 with , 143, or 143A . In section 145(3), after section 143 insert or 143A . 42 Section 151 amended (Form and content of annual report) In section 151(1)(a),— a after subparagraph (vi), insert: via the number of persons who hold an endorsement as at the end of the period: vib the number of persons who applied for endorsement under Part 2 during the period: vic the number of persons who were granted an endorsement under Part 2 during that period: b in subparagraph (vii), replace or licence with , licence, or endorsement ; and ba after subparagraph (vii), insert: viia the number of certificates of compliance lodged with the Board under section 87AF during that period: viib the number of and outcome of audits conducted under sections 56A and 87AJ during that period: c in subparagraph (x), replace or the issue of licences with , the issuing of licences, or the granting of endorsements . 43 Section 162 amended (Appeals) After section 162(1)(a), insert: aa any decision of the Board to decline to endorse the person as a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer or to decline to renew the endorsement of the person: In section 162(1)(d), replace or licence with , licence, or endorsement . In section 162(1)(e), replace or licence with licence, or endorsement . 44 Section 172 amended (Regulations) After section 172(1)(f), insert: fa defining the following terms for the purposes of Part 2AA : i self-certifiable drainlaying: ii self-certifiable plumbing: fb prescribing the information that must be included in a certificate of compliance under section 87AE or in the accompanying supporting documents under section 87AF : 45 Section 172C amended (Requirements before making certain regulations) In the heading to section 172C, after regulations , insert relating to self-contained vehicles . 45A New section 172D inserted (Requirements before making certain regulations relating to self-certifiable drainlaying and plumbing work) After section 172C, insert: 172D Requirements before making certain regulations relating to self-certifiable drainlaying and plumbing work The Minister may recommend the making of regulations under section 172(1)(fa) only if the Minister is satisfied that the drainlaying and sanitary plumbing work being defined as self-certifiable drainlaying or self-certifiable plumbing— a is routine work for an experienced drainlayer or plumber; and b is not complex drainlaying or plumbing; and c poses a low risk to the health and safety of the public. 46 Schedule 1AA amended In Schedule 1AA ,— a insert the Part set out in Schedule 2 of this Act as the last Part; and b make all necessary consequential amendments. 1 New Part 6 inserted into Schedule 1AA of Building Act 2004 6 Provisions relating to Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2025 18 Interpretation In this Part,— 2025 amendment Act means the Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2025 commencement date means the commencement date under section 2(1) of the 2025 amendment Act. 19 Application of sections 49(1A) and 89A Sections 49(1A) and 89A (as inserted by the 2025 amendment Act) only apply to building consents applied for after the commencement date. 2 New Part 2 inserted into Schedule 1AA of Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 2 Provisions relating to Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2025 4 Interpretation In this Part,— 2025 amendment Act means the Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2025 chief executive has the same meaning as given in section 7(1) of the Building Act 2004 first commencement date means the day after the 2025 amendment Act receives Royal assent second commencement date means the commencement date under section 2(1) of the 2025 amendment Act. 5 Application of sections 87AA to 87AF Sections 87AA to 87AF (as inserted by the 2025 amendment Act) only apply to self-certifiable plumbing and self-certifiable drainlaying work for which a building consent was applied for under section 45 of the Building Act 2004 after the later of the second commencement date or the date that the first notice referred to in clause 7(2) comes into force. 6 Application of section 87AI Any section referred to in section 87AI as a section in relation to which the chief executive has a function must be treated as having commenced on the first commencement date for the purpose of the chief executive carrying out that function. 7 Application of section 145 1 Despite section 145(1AAA), the first notices issued by the Board under each of sections 142(1)(ba) and (bb) and 143A after the first commencement date may come into force at any specified time after each notice is published. 2 Despite section 145(1), the first notice published under section 144 prescribing the form of an application for an endorsement under section 51B after the first commencement date may come into force at any specified time after the notice is published. 8 Application of section 146 Any money held, or invested, by the Board under section 146 immediately before the first commencement date may be applied by the Board under that section in the performance or exercise of its functions, duties, and powers as amended by the 2025 amendment Act.

Hansard

May 26, 2026

Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Bill — Committee of the whole House · Full day report

Committee of the whole House Clauses 1 and 2 CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Members, we now come to our final debate, clauses 1 and 2. This is the debate on clauses 1 and 2, “Title” and “Commencement”. ARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa) (21:30): Thank you, Mr Chair. Well, this is a bill that is timely and is useful because I think everybody in this House wants to see more houses built more affordably—quicker for consumers means better for the New Zealand economy and we support that. That is why we have worked really constructively, not only with the Minister for Building and Construction, but with the Transport and Infrastructure Committee ably chaired by Andy Foster from New Zealand First, because we want to see this being a sticky set of reforms which make sense for everyone who has to engage in them; from the top of the market, to the big group home builders, to the smaller plumbers, their professional associations, and the mums and dads buying the houses who are left with a system which they need to have faith in for their most valuable asset and, in most cases, their retirement savings. But there was one part of this regime which we needed to get right, and it was the piece of th…
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Committee of the whole House Clauses 1 and 2 CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Members, we now come to our final debate, clauses 1 and 2. This is the debate on clauses 1 and 2, “Title” and “Commencement”. ARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa) (21:30): Thank you, Mr Chair. Well, this is a bill that is timely and is useful because I think everybody in this House wants to see more houses built more affordably—quicker for consumers means better for the New Zealand economy and we support that. That is why we have worked really constructively, not only with the Minister for Building and Construction, but with the Transport and Infrastructure Committee ably chaired by Andy Foster from New Zealand First, because we want to see this being a sticky set of reforms which make sense for everyone who has to engage in them; from the top of the market, to the big group home builders, to the smaller plumbers, their professional associations, and the mums and dads buying the houses who are left with a system which they need to have faith in for their most valuable asset and, in most cases, their retirement savings. But there was one part of this regime which we needed to get right, and it was the piece of the regime which this bill does not deal with. It was mandatory insurance. It was making sure that the little guy wasn’t left carrying the can when we did these smart and well-intentioned reforms to make some measures on the supply side work better. Because without an insurance scheme that is more like those countries that we like to compare ourselves to—like Australia, like Europe—we will still have a regime where mums and dads are left wondering who is responsible when things go wrong. I put this to the Minister in an email that I received recently from a lady called Jenny. She wrote to me and she said, “My taps aren’t working. Who is responsible?” Jenny, you are one of the many people who writes to members of Parliament all the time, people who come along to our electorate clinics, people who stop us in the street. We are the elected members who are responsible for the system, and that goes for your taps too. This is a piece of legislation which does not deal with that exact problem. Yes, we have a system which is meant to protect your taps—a set of consumer laws which are meant to protect you with the products that you buy—but in terms of a self-certification regime for plumbers who can install them, we aren’t requiring them to make sure that their insurance is up to date, that they are holding the right kind of protection, and that you can call on them not only in one year after work is complete, but 10 years after work is complete, and make sure that they can come back and that they are fully equipped to deal with the work that might have gone wrong. Because things do go wrong for plumbers. Things go wrong under the ground that you can’t see; things go wrong in the walls which you can’t see. There is a problem here when we are not dealing with the critical factor, which is insurance and spreading of the risk, because Jenny shouldn’t have to deal with the problem with her taps. It should be a system that she can rely on. People like Jenny, who we represent, should be able to rely on a country like New Zealand having a regime in place that’s similar to Australia, that’s similar to Europe, that’s similar to the OECD countries we like to compare ourselves to. Because when we are making reforms that make things speedy and easy for the industry, the industry should also have a mind to those consumers that they are dealing with every day— Hon Rachel Brooking: That’s right! ARENA WILLIAMS: —and make sure that those appropriate protections are in place for Jenny—Rachel Brooking. This bill should be called the Building and Construction Sector (Self-Certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers, But We Forgot to Do Insurance at the Same Time) Amendment Bill, because I know that the Minister has an aspiration for Jenny. He wants Jenny to get her plumbing done faster. But he also knows that it is important and appropriate for a regime that deals with consumer protections for people like her and in her situation. I know that around this Chamber we want to make sure that there are those protections in place. But just to say that it’s coming when we are making pretty wide-ranging reforms—which everyone in this committee wants to see—which are faster, which are more deregulated, which are less easy for consumers to have a direct line of sight into the kinds of protections and the kinds of bodies that they can turn to when things go wrong, that it is important to have that regime in place at the time, and we know we won’t be able to do that during this period in the lead up to the election. We know we don’t have enough House time; we know we don’t have enough time for the Public Service to respond to this. We are going to be left from 30 June with a regime, which does make sense with the mandatory insurance perspective, but does not make sense without that. So we will just have to live with the situation as it stands, but we have to know as a Parliament that what we are passing here will put vulnerable consumers in a worse position—and that is part of it. That is part of the regime; it’s not a mistake. So we should continue to demand that legislation like this deals with the problem of risk-spreading for those vulnerable consumers or we will continue to see some of the things that have plagued us in New Zealand with our building industry consistently not spreading the risk appropriately, consistently landing the costs on central government and local government where it does not belong. We should have a regime in place, and it should have been in place at the same time as this legislation was introduced. Hon CHRIS PENK (Minister for Building and Construction) (21:35): Thank you, Mr Chair. I do want to acknowledge the member’s point that she— Hon Rachel Brooking: Are you going to acknowledge Jenny? Hon CHRIS PENK: I’ll acknowledge Jenny in a moment. But, for now, the member and her party and indeed members all across the Chamber have engaged in a constructive fashion regarding this legislation. We thank her and them for it. She makes a good point about consumer protections, except only that earlier in this committee of the whole House we talked about the fact that minimum standards for endorsement, as set out in the legislation but given effect to in the regulations, will include the ability to meet potential civil liability. I have made it as clear as I can, I think, in this environment, that my expectation is that some sort of insurance will guarantee that other means of ensuring that a person who is conducting the work, whether or not they remain available to do any remedial work and whatever their own solvency situation might be, would still, nevertheless, be available to make good, or have someone else make good, any defects that would arise in the operation of the scheme. So I think, with all due respect, that it is not a particularly fair criticism to suggest, by way of an amended title, that we have forgotten that. We’ve remembered it. We’ve contemplated it, and indeed we’ve taken active steps to ensure that’s the case. As to the timing, though, I think the member is pessimistic when she sets out that she doesn’t think we’ll be able to make other proportionate liability - related changes in the system more generally, and, certainly, as I say, this is a self-licking ice cream to the extent that the regulations that are set out in the primary legislation will be able to provide the assurance that she’s seeking. The last word, I think, must go to Jenny and her taps. I was thinking about a taps reference, but then I decided not to “faucet”. Hon Members: Oh! Hon CHRIS PENK: I think the Jennys of the world do deserve the confidence in a system that will enable them to be protected against poor-quality work. So that is why we are emphasising a system in which people who are duly registered, and strong occupational licensing mechanisms administered by a very sound board, and I do want to thank the board for its ongoing work, including in administering this new regime, to enable the work of the excellent plumbers and drainlayers that we have in this country to be conducted on a basis of trust, duly managed, and even audited, and we think it will be helpful for all the reasons that the member has quite rightly set out. TANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North) (21:38): Thank you, Mr Chair. Well, I think the Minister himself may have wanted to put forward an amendment—it’s not too late, Minister—around whether it’s a self-licking ice cream or a faucet sort of component to the title, but we’ll leave that to him. I want to comment and ask about the commencement, because this is a very peculiar aspect of this bill, where the Act itself will come into force on 30 June 2026, which is just over a month away. Usually, that’s all we see in a commencement clause. But this one has the peculiar aspect of having specified sections that come into force at a different date and on this occasion, they come into force on the day after Royal assent. Now, I know that we, in supporting this bill, want this to be efficient, and also, as the Minister himself has said, to be effective, and that’s important. But one must just have a look at these different sections that are outlined to see why it is that they need to come into play a little bit earlier. So I am going to do that this evening, starting with section 16. So section 16—the suggestion is that it would come in earlier. This is the provision that, effectively, allows for the board to prescribe terms and conditions around which endorsements are granted, and to set aside some standards that might relate around someone’s experience around the competency, the technical competency that they might have, the practices that would be involved. So I guess it does actually make some sense that that would come into play a little bit earlier. Then I’m looking at section 38(1) and (2). Again, this is proposed to come in on the day after Royal assent, and when we get to the third reading, that might not be too far away. But this particular provision relates to the functions of the board around the standards that someone needs to meet in order to, effectively, be up for consideration for an endorsement, and it also allows that rationale, I guess, around the impact that it’s having on the wider sector to assist the chief executive in the exercise of their duty. So I guess that does make some sense, although the Minister might have a view about whether or not that could still wait a month. I mean, we’re talking effectively about a month away that all these other provisions would come into play. We then go on to new sections 39 through to 41. And these are around, again, the prescription of fees and the endorsement of a levy that relates to what’s being sought here. And then I go to section 41, and the full match there is really just the provision of some editorial aspects, I guess. So, OK, that seems to make sense, but when we look at section 44, this is the definition of the self-certifiable plumbing and drainlaying and also identifying what information might be needed there. Again, Minister, is it appropriate that we’re only talking about a month in a sort of layby sense there? Then we have section 45, which is about the requirements for making certain regulations. Again, that’s a heading. Now, the heading here is relating to self-contained vehicles, and vehicles are very important to get people from point A to point B. Look, I think you can either get yourself from point A to point B in a vehicle by yourself or indeed, perhaps, with someone else—a friend in that sense. Then we move to section 18 as it relates to a specified section, section 87AI, of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006. Towards the end there, there are a whole range of different aspects that relate to this one—the chief executive is to implement and monitor endorsements. So, I guess, having identified all of those, Minister, it’s probably logical that some of those do predate the commencement, effectively, on 30 June but that does beg the question: given that we still have, if this bill passes this stage, a third reading—who knows? It might pop up in post-Budget urgency; you never know—and given the short period of time, is there sufficient need for those earlier parts to still come into force on the day after Royal assent? Hon CHRIS PENK (Minister for Building and Construction) (21:42): I thank the member for his dissertation on the different time frames. He’s right, of course, to point out that there’s a bit of a split in terms of the timing—30 June, thereby within the quarter, but just, in terms of most of the legislation, but the category of provision that he’s outlined to come into effect sooner—as it happens, about a month prior, depending on the Order Paper for the next few days—will be geared towards enabling the board to prepare for the introduction of the regime. There’s no reason to stop them having the benefit of an extra month or so to start gearing up for the kinds of policies, practices, and procedure, and advertise those to the world so that when the scheme comes in, there’s the maximum time possible for people to know what is required in order to be able to meet their obligations. I think it’s possible to achieve a lot in a month. I wouldn’t discount that they will be able to do a lot of work in that intervening month, and if the member doubts that, he might consider how much legislation can be passed in a single day—this Thursday, for example. Dr CARLOS CHEUNG (National—Mt Roskill) (21:44): I move that the debate on this question now close. TANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North) (21:44): Thank you, Mr Chair. I just wanted to thank the Minister for his response. RYAN HAMILTON (National—Hamilton East) (21:44): I move, That debate on this question now close. A party vote was called for on the question, That debate on this question now close. Ayes 67 New Zealand National 48; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8. Noes 53 New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 13; Te Pāti Māori 4; Ferris; Kapa-Kingi. Motion agreed to. A party vote was called for on the question, That clause 1 be agreed to. Ayes 101 New Zealand National 48; New Zealand Labour 34; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8. Noes 19 Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 13; Te Pāti Māori 4; Ferris; Kapa-Kingi. Clause 1 agreed to. CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): The question is that Minister Penk’s amendment to Clause 2 set out on Amendment Paper 632 be agreed to. Amendment agreed to. A party vote was called for on the question, That clause 2 as amended be agreed to. Ayes 101 New Zealand National 48; New Zealand Labour 34; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8. Noes 19 Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 13; Te Pāti Māori 4; Ferris; Kapa-Kingi. Clause 2 agreed to. Bill to be reported with amendment.

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