In short: no, you cannot legally connect a gas cooktop to the gas supply yourself in New Zealand. Gas connection work is classified as restricted work under the Gas Act 1992, meaning it must be carried out by a licensed gasfitter. However, there are some parts of the job — like cutting the bench opening — that a competent homeowner can tackle. Read on to understand exactly where the line is drawn.
What Is Restricted Gas Work?
Under New Zealand law, any work that involves connecting, disconnecting, or altering a gas fitting is restricted work. This includes:
- Connecting the cooktop's gas supply line
- Installing or modifying flexible gas hoses
- Adjusting gas pressure regulators or burner jets
- Commissioning and testing the appliance for gas tightness
Only a tradesperson registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) is legally permitted to carry out this work. Doing it yourself — or having an unlicensed person do it — is illegal, can void your home insurance, and puts your household at serious risk of gas leaks, fire, or carbon monoxide poisoning.
What Can a Homeowner Do?
While the gas connection itself is off-limits, there are tasks you can legally handle:
- Cutting the bench cutout to the manufacturer's specified dimensions
- Removing the old cooktop (once the gas has been disconnected by a licensed gasfitter)
- Preparing the cabinetry — ensuring adequate ventilation clearances as specified in the appliance installation manual
- Cleaning up and finishing around the cooktop after installation
Always check your cooktop's installation manual for the required cutout dimensions, clearances to combustible materials, and ventilation requirements before you pick up a jigsaw.
Cutting the Bench Cutout: A Step-by-Step Overview
If you want to get the bench prep done before your gasfitter arrives, here's the general process:
- Measure carefully. Use the template supplied with the cooktop (most manufacturers include one). Double-check the cutout size against the manual — getting this wrong is an expensive mistake on stone or engineered benchtops.
- Mark the cutout. Use a pencil and straight edge. Confirm the position allows for the required clearances to walls, splashbacks, and cabinetry sides — these are specified in the manual and must comply with the NZ Building Code.
- Check for services below. Before cutting, confirm there are no electrical cables, water pipes, or existing gas lines running beneath the bench in the cutting zone.
- Cut the opening. For laminate benchtops, a jigsaw with a fine-tooth blade works well. For stone or solid surface benchtops, this is specialist work — hire a stonemason or benchtop fabricator.
- Smooth the edges. Sand or file any rough edges and apply a sealant to exposed particleboard to prevent moisture ingress.
Safety note: If you're working near any existing gas lines or smell gas at any point, stop immediately, ventilate the area, and call a licensed gasfitter or your gas retailer's emergency line.
Ventilation and Clearance Requirements
Gas cooktops produce combustion gases, so adequate ventilation is essential — both for safety and to comply with NZ Building Code clause G11 (Energy Efficiency) and clause G12 (Water Supplies). Key points:
- A rangehood or mechanical extraction is strongly recommended and may be required depending on your kitchen layout and the cooktop's BTU output.
- Minimum clearances between the cooktop and overhead cabinetry are set by the manufacturer and must be followed.
- The cabinet beneath the cooktop typically requires a ventilation opening — check your manual for the minimum free area required.
For guidance on healthy, well-ventilated homes, BRANZ and Energywise are excellent NZ resources.
Do You Need a Building Consent?
Replacing a like-for-like cooktop in the same location generally falls under Schedule 1 exemptions of the Building Act 2004 and does not require a building consent. However, if you're moving the cooktop to a new location, altering cabinetry significantly, or changing the type of fuel (e.g., switching from electric to gas), you should check with your local council before starting work. Rules can vary, and it's always better to confirm than to face issues when you sell the property.
For more on building consents and exemptions, visit MBIE Building Performance.
What to Expect From Your Licensed Gasfitter
A licensed gasfitter will:
- Connect the flexible gas hose between the supply and the cooktop
- Pressure-test all connections for leaks
- Commission the appliance and check burner operation
- Issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) — a legal document you should keep with your property records
The CoC is important evidence that the work was done correctly. Always ask for it.
When to Call a Professional
Call a licensed gasfitter for all gas connection work — no exceptions. You should also call a professional if:
- Your existing gas supply line needs extending or rerouting
- You're unsure whether your current gas meter and regulator can handle an additional appliance
- The bench is stone, engineered stone, or solid timber (cutting these materials requires specialist tools and skills)
- You smell gas anywhere in the process
You can find qualified, local licensed gasfitters on tradedirectory.co.nz — look for tradespeople who are registered with the PGDB.
Certifying Plumber
