Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2026
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Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2026
Public Act |
2026 No 24 |
|
Date of assent |
2 June 2026 |
|
Commencement |
see section 2 |
Contents
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 2026.
2 Commencement
(1)
This Act comes into force on 30 June 2026.
(2)
However, sections 16, 39(1) and (2), 40 to 42, 45, and 46 and section 19, as it relates to section 87AI of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006, come into force on 3 June 2026.
Section 2: editorial change made by the PCO, on 18 June 2026, under sections 86(1) and 87(m) of the Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 58).
Part 1 Amendments to Building Act 2004
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 section 4 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 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
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)
(1)
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
(2)
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.
10 Section 216 amended (Territorial authority must keep information about buildings)
After section 216(2)(b)(ivb), insert:
(ivc)
certificates of compliance:
11 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.
Part 2 Amendments to Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006
14 Principal Act
This Part amends the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006.
Subpart 1—Establishing self-certification endorsed plumbers and drainlayers
15 Section 4 amended (Interpretation)
(1)
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
(2)
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)
(1)
After section 30(1)(c), insert:
(ca)
prescribe the terms and conditions subject to which endorsements are granted; and
(2)
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.
18 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.
19 New Part 2AA inserted
After section 87, insert:
Part 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.
Subpart 2—Related and consequential amendments
20 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.
21 Section 54 amended (Procedure on review of competence)
In section 54(3)(b), after “licence”
, insert “or endorsement”
.
22 Section 55 amended (Competence programmes)
(1)
In section 55(1)(a), (b), and (c), replace “or provisional licences”
with “, provisional licences, or endorsements”
.
(2)
In section 55(3)(a), after “or the practising licence”
, insert “or endorsement”
.
(3)
In section 55(3)(b), after “registration”
, insert “or endorsement”
.
23 Section 56 amended (Unsatisfactory results of competence programme)
(1)
In section 56(1)(a), (b), and (c), replace “or provisional licence”
with “, provisional licence, or endorsement”
.
(2)
In section 56(2) and (2)(a), after “licence”
, insert “or endorsement”
.
24 Section 57 amended (Cancellation and suspension generally)
(1)
In section 57(1), replace “or provisional licence”
with “provisional licence, or endorsement”
.
(2)
In section 57(1)(c),—
(a)
after “a licence”
, insert “or an endorsement”
; and
(b)
replace “or licence”
with “, licence, or endorsement”
.
(3)
In section 57(2), replace “(if any) is”
with “and any endorsement the person holds (if any) are”
.
(4)
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).
(5)
In section 57(4), replace “or provisional licence”
with “provisional licence, or endorsement”
.
(6)
In section 57(5), replace “or a practising licence”
with “, practising licence, or endorsement”
.
25 Section 58 amended (Effect of suspension)
(1)
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).
(2)
In section 58(4),—
(a)
replace “or provisional licence”
with “provisional licence, or endorsement”
; and
(b)
replace “or licence”
with “, licence, or endorsement”
.
26 Section 59 amended (Board may cancel registration or licence if obtained wrongfully)
(1)
In the heading to section 59, replace “or licence”
with “, licence, or endorsement”
.
(2)
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”
.
27 Section 72 amended (Purpose of register)
(1)
(a)
replace “or employer licence”
with “employer licence, or endorsement”
; and
(b)
replace “or licence”
with “, licence, or endorsement”
.
(2)
In section 72(1)(b),—
(a)
after “a licence”
, insert “or endorsement”
; and
(b)
replace “or licence”
with “, licence, or endorsement”
.
28 Section 74 amended (Matters to be contained in register)
(1)
After section 74(1)(c)(v), insert:
(va)
whether the person holds an endorsement; and
(vb)
the expiry date of any endorsement; and
(2)
In section 74(1)(c)(vii), replace “or practising licence”
with “, practising licence, or endorsement”
.
(3)
In section 74(1)(d), after “former Act,”
, insert “or endorsement held by the person under this Act,”
.
29 Section 78 amended (Revision of register)
(1)
After section 78(1)(b), insert:
(c)
a person who holds an endorsement wishes to have that endorsement cancelled.
(2)
In section 78(2), replace “or employer licence holder”
with “employer licence holder, or person who holds an endorsement”
.
(3)
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.
(4)
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)”
.
(5)
Replace section 78(6)(a) with:
(a)
the registered person’s registration, practising licence, or endorsement (as relevant) be cancelled; or
30 Section 79 amended (Restoration of registration or licence)
(1)
In the heading to section 79, replace “or licence”
with “, licence, or endorsement”
.
(2)
In section 79(1), replace “or licence”
with “, licence, or endorsement”
.
(3)
In section 79(2), replace “or licence”
with “, licence, or endorsement”
.
(4)
In section 79(2)(a), after “licence”
, insert “, or have their licence endorsed as a self-certification endorsed plumber or drainlayer”
.
31 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”
.
32 Section 89 amended (Disciplinary offence)
(1)
In section 89(c), replace “or licence”
with “, licence, or endorsement”
.
(2)
After section 89(f), insert:
(fa)
to have failed to have complied with section 87AF (relating to certificates of compliance); or
33 Section 106 amended (Disciplinary powers of Board)
(1)
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”
.
(2)
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)”
.
(3)
After section 106(2)(c), insert:
(d)
file any specified return.
34 Section 111 amended (Consequences of failure to comply with order to pass examination, complete competence programme, or attend course of instruction)
(1)
In section 111(1)(a) and (b), replace “or provisional licence”
with “provisional licence, or endorsement”
.
(2)
In section 111(2), replace “or a licence”
with “, a licence, or an endorsement”
.
35 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,”
.
36 Section 122 amended (Unlicensed or unregistered person must not claim to be licensed or registered)
(1)
Replace the heading to section 122 with “Unlicensed, unregistered, or unendorsed person must not claim to be licensed, registered, or endorsed”
.
(2)
In section 122, replace “$10,000”
with “$20,000”
.
(3)
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”
.
(4)
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;”
.
(5)
In section 122(c), replace “or licence”
with “, licence, or endorsement”
.
37 Section 125 amended (Other offences related to sanitary plumbing, drainlaying, or gasfitting)
In section 125(3), after “issued”
, insert “or endorsement granted”
.
38 Section 126 amended (Certificate by Registrar to be evidence of various matters)
(1)
In section 126(2)(a), after “of licence”
, insert “or endorsement”
.
(2)
In section 126(2)(c), replace “or licence”
with “, licence, or endorsement”
.
39 Section 137 amended (Functions of Board)
(1)
In section 137(d), after “issued”
, insert “and endorsements are granted”
.
(2)
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:
(3)
In section 137(g),—
(a)
replace “and licences”
with “, licences, and endorsements”
; and
(b)
replace “and issue licences”
with “, issue licences, and grant endorsements”
.
(4)
In section 137(j), after “licences”
, insert “and endorsements”
.
(5)
In section 137(k)(i), replace “and employer licence holders”
with “employer licence holders, and persons holding endorsements”
.
(6)
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:
40 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:
41 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.
42 Section 145 amended (Further provisions relating to fees, levy, and forms)
(1)
In the heading to section 145, replace “levy”
with “levies”
.
(2)
In section 145(1AAA), replace “or 143”
with “, 143, or 143A”
.
(3)
In section 145(3), after “section 143”
, insert “or 143A”
.
43 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
(c)
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:
(d)
in subparagraph (x), replace “or the issue of licences”
with “, the issuing of licences, or the granting of endorsements”
.
44 Section 162 amended (Appeals)
(1)
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:
(2)
In section 162(1)(d), replace “or licence”
with “, licence, or endorsement”
.
(3)
In section 162(1)(e), replace “or licence”
with “licence, or endorsement”
.
45 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:
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.
Schedule 1 New Part 6 inserted into Schedule 1AA of Building Act 2004
Part 6 Provisions relating to Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2026
18 Interpretation
In this Part,—
2026 amendment Act means the Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2026
commencement date means the commencement date under section 2(1) of the 2026 amendment Act.
19 Application of sections 49(1A) and 89A
Sections 49(1A) and 89A (as inserted by the 2026 amendment Act) only apply to building consents applied for after the commencement date.
Schedule 2 New Part 2 inserted into Schedule 1AA of Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006
Part 2 Provisions relating to Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2026
4 Interpretation
In this Part,—
2026 amendment Act means the Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2026
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 2026 amendment Act receives Royal assent
second commencement date means the commencement date under section 2(1) of the 2026 amendment Act.
5 Application of sections 87AA to 87AF
Sections 87AA to 87AF (as inserted by the 2026 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 2026 amendment Act.
Legislative history
11 November 2025 |
Introduction (Bill 221–1) |
|
18 November 2025 |
First reading and referral to Transport and Infrastructure Committee |
|
19 March 2026 |
Reported from Transport and Infrastructure Committee |
|
(Bill 221–2) |
||
23 April 2026 |
Second reading |
|
26 May 2026 |
Committee of the whole House (Bill 221–3) |
|
27 May 2026 |
Third reading |
|
2 June 2026 |
Royal assent |
This Act is administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment.
Versions
Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Act 2026
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