A long-awaited change for the trades

Since 7 September, Certifying Plumbers and Certifying Drainlayers who meet the requirements can apply for an endorsement to self-certify certain types of low-risk work, without a council inspection.

There’s been plenty of talk about this being a milestone for the industry. So, why has there been so much excitement about a change that has taken years to happen? 

Minister for Building and Construction Simon Watts addresses Master Plumbers members and industry in Petone last week, to mark the milestone introduction of plumbing and drainlaying self-certification.

Q: If gasfitters have been able to self-certify their work, why has it taken until now for plumbing and drainlaying?

A: The short answer is that gasfitting and electrical work were moved into a different regulatory framework in 2013, while plumbing and drainlaying remained within the building consent and inspection system.

Since then, gasfitters and electricians have operated under their own risk-based certification framework, with the relevant codes administered and monitored by WorkSafe, allowing authorised tradespeople to certify their own work.

Plumbing and drainlaying are still part of the building consent system, but there is now a pathway for eligible plumbers and drainlayers to self-certify. 

To qualify, they need to complete training, meet the endorsement requirements, agree to audits and have additional insurance. That insurance was an important piece of the puzzle, helping address concerns about councils carrying the financial risk if a company responsible for defective work closed down or could not meet its obligations.

It has taken years to put these safeguards in place and create a framework that gives qualified plumbers and drainlayers more responsibility, while giving councils and the public confidence that the right checks remain in place.

Q: What are the benefits?

A: Less waiting means work can get done sooner

If eligible low-risk work no longer has to wait for a council inspection, projects can move forward sooner.

For example, a plumber on a new build could complete and certify eligible work, then move on to the next stage instead of waiting for an inspection. Across thousands of jobs, those saved hours could add up to real productivity and economic gains.

It recognises that qualified tradespeople have the skills to make decisions

You’ll already know that becoming a Certified plumber or drainlayer takes years of training, practical experience and professional responsibility.

In other professions, qualified people are trusted to use the skills they have spent years developing. Their work is still subject to professional standards and oversight, but they are trusted to apply their knowledge and judgement.

A qualified electrician is trusted to make decisions about electrical work. An engineer is trusted to apply their professional judgement.

Self-certification applies that same principle to plumbing and drainlaying. Qualified plumbers and drainlayers can take responsibility for certifying eligible work themselves, rather than every job needing to be checked by a building consent inspector.

The current scheme is limited to low-risk work. If it proves successful, it could create opportunities to consider expanding the type of work that can be self-certified over time.

It reinforces the value of a career in the trades

Self-certification places greater responsibility in the hands of qualified plumbers and drainlayers. That means the training, experience and professional standards behind those qualifications matter more than ever.

The scheme is built on trust, but trust needs to be backed by strong training, clear standards and proven results.

If the industry shows that self-certification works well, it can build confidence in the expertise of plumbing and drainlaying professionals and strengthen the case for investing in high-quality vocational education and training.

At a wider level, it also helps demonstrate that the trades are skilled professions built on knowledge, judgement and accountability. That matters when government, industry and training organisations are making decisions about workforce development and the future of vocational education.

A massive thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the 2026 Masterlink apprentice survey!

The feedback we received will help support us to better understand what we're doing well, and helps us navigate where we can put more support to help you through your apprenticeship.

Congratulations to our three $300 Prezzy Card winners: 

1. Cordell Prescott - Karl Boniface Plumbing, Invercargill

2. Nathaniel Lewis - Illingworth Plumbing, West Auckland

3. Brodhi Curtis - John Leen Plumbing, Wellington 

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