Do I need a licensed plumber in NZ?
Short answer
Yes — any plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying work in NZ has to be done by a person licensed under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006, or done by an unlicensed person under direct supervision. You can verify the licence at pgdb.co.nz. Unlicensed plumbing work is illegal and can void insurance if something fails.
Key facts
- Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are heavily regulated in NZ
- Three separate disciplines, three separate licences (one tradie often holds all three)
- Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) is the regulator
- Licence lookup at pgdb.co.nz — free, instant
- Some 'exempt' work exists for owner-occupiers but is narrow
The three disciplines
Plumber — water supply, hot water, sanitary plumbing inside the building.
Gasfitter — gas appliances, gas piping, LPG installation. A different licence than plumbing.
Drainlayer — drainage from the building to the public main, including the connection.
Most working tradies hold all three. The licence lookup shows which they actually hold.
Owner-builder exemptions
The Act allows an owner-occupier to do limited maintenance work on their own home (e.g., replace a tap) without a licence. It does not extend to new installations, drainage, or any gas work.
If you're unsure, assume you need a licensed plumber. The fines and insurance risk aren't worth the saving.
What to ask for
Every plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying job that requires it must end with a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) or a Gas Safety Certificate. Don't pay the final invoice without the certificate in hand. Keep it forever — banks and insurers ask for it at refinance and on claim.
Knowing the rules is half the job. The other half is knowing who you're hiring — check any NZ builder's court action, insolvency history, director track record and AI risk score in minutes.
Related questions
Sources: Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006; PGDB register — pgdb.co.nz. General information for NZ homeowners, not legal advice — building rules change and vary by council, so confirm critical details on the official source before acting. Last updated 2026-05.