Our role and structure

The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board regulates plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying in New Zealand under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006. It registers and licenses practitioners, sets the standards for entry to each trade, and investigates complaints.

The Board consists of ten ministerially-appointed members representing both the trade and the public. A CE/Registrar is appointed by the Board and supported by 26 employees to undertake the Board's day-to-day operations. The Board is responsible for administering the registration and licensing systems of plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers and in doing so, is responsible for setting the minimum standards for registration and ensuring those persons carrying out regulated work are competent to do so. Broadly speaking, the powers and functions of the Board can be categorised into registration, licensing, competence, discipline and prosecution. The Board receives complaints and, as a result, may investigate and discipline registered persons (including provisional licence holders) or instigate a prosecution in the District Court against those working illegally in the industry.