Asbestos removal in New Zealand is tightly controlled under health and safety law, and not every demolition contractor is legally permitted to do it. Whether your contractor can handle the asbestos in your home depends on the type and quantity of asbestos-containing material (ACM) involved, and whether they hold the correct WorkSafe licence. Getting this wrong can put your family's health — and the contractor's legal standing — at serious risk.
Why Asbestos Is So Tightly Regulated
Asbestos fibres, when disturbed, become airborne and can cause serious and often fatal diseases including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Because of this, WorkSafe NZ enforces strict rules under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016. These regulations apply to all workplaces, including private homes where tradespeople are working.
Homes built before the mid-1980s in New Zealand are particularly likely to contain asbestos in materials such as:
- Fibro (fibre cement) cladding — very common in NZ homes of that era
- Textured ceiling coatings ("popcorn" or stippled ceilings)
- Vinyl floor tiles and their adhesive backing
- Roof tiles and guttering
- Pipe lagging and insulation
- Eaves linings and soffits
The Two Classes of Asbestos Removal Licence
Under NZ law, there are two classes of licensed asbestos removalist:
| Licence Class | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Class A | All types of asbestos removal, including friable asbestos (loose, crumbly, easily airborne — the most dangerous kind) |
| Class B | Non-friable asbestos only (bonded ACM that is in good condition and unlikely to release fibres during removal), up to a maximum area of 10 m² per job |
A demolition contractor who holds a Class A licence can legally remove both friable and non-friable asbestos. A contractor with a Class B licence can only remove non-friable ACM within the 10 m² limit. A contractor with no asbestos licence at all cannot legally remove any asbestos — even if they are a fully qualified demolition professional.
Always ask your contractor to show you their current WorkSafe asbestos removal licence before any work begins.
What About Small Amounts — Can a Homeowner Remove It?
This is a common question. Under the regulations, a homeowner working on their own home (not a rental or commercial property) may remove non-friable asbestos themselves, provided the area is no more than 10 m² in total. However, this comes with significant personal risk and strict requirements around PPE, disposal, and notification. BRANZ and WorkSafe both strongly recommend leaving any asbestos removal to a licensed professional, even when it is technically legal to do it yourself.
For rental properties, the rules are stricter — landlords must comply with Tenancy Services Healthy Homes obligations and cannot cut corners on hazardous materials.
The Asbestos Removal Process
A licensed removalist will typically follow these steps:
- Asbestos survey and identification — often carried out by a separate asbestos assessor before demolition begins
- Removal plan and WorkSafe notification — Class A removals require notifying WorkSafe at least five working days before work starts
- Containment and PPE — sealing off the work area, using appropriate respirators and disposable suits
- Careful removal — wetting down materials to suppress dust where possible
- Clearance inspection — an independent licensed asbestos assessor checks the area is safe before it is reopened
- Disposal — ACM must be double-bagged, labelled, and taken to an approved landfill that accepts asbestos waste
Building Consents and Demolition
Demolition work in NZ may or may not require a building consent depending on the scope. Some minor demolition is exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004, but you should always confirm with your local council before starting. Regardless of consent requirements, asbestos regulations apply independently and cannot be bypassed. Check MBIE Building Performance for guidance on what triggers a consent.
When to Call a Professional
You should always engage a licensed asbestos removalist (Class A or B as appropriate) if:
- Your home was built before 1990 and you are planning any demolition, renovation, or re-roofing
- You have found damaged or deteriorating fibro, ceiling coatings, or floor tiles
- The area of ACM exceeds 10 m²
- Any friable (crumbly or loose) asbestos is present
- You are unsure whether a material contains asbestos — get it tested first
A qualified demolition contractor who also holds an asbestos removal licence can often manage the whole project efficiently. You can find licensed demolition and asbestos removal contractors in your area at tradedirectory.co.nz.
⚠️ Safety note: Never sand, grind, drill, or use a high-pressure hose on suspected asbestos-containing materials. If in doubt, stop work and seek professional advice immediately.
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