An asbestos management plan (AMP) is a written document that identifies where asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are located in a building, assesses their condition, and sets out how they will be safely managed or removed. In New Zealand, having one isn't always optional — for certain buildings and situations, it's a legal requirement under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016.
Why Asbestos Is Still a Concern in NZ
Asbestos was widely used in New Zealand building materials from the 1940s through to the late 1980s, and its use wasn't fully banned until 2016. That means a huge number of homes, commercial buildings, and public facilities still contain ACMs — in everything from fibrous cement cladding (such as James Hardie products of that era) to floor tiles, roof shingles, pipe lagging, and textured ceiling coatings. When these materials are disturbed or deteriorate, they can release microscopic fibres that cause serious lung diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
What Must an Asbestos Management Plan Include?
Under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, a compliant AMP must include:
- Identification of all known or assumed ACMs on the premises, including their location, type, and condition
- A risk assessment of each ACM — whether it is friable (crumbly, easily disturbed) or non-friable, and how likely it is to release fibres
- Decisions about management — whether each ACM will be left in place and monitored, repaired, encapsulated, or removed
- Procedures for working safely near or with ACMs, including who is responsible
- Emergency procedures in the event of accidental disturbance
- A review schedule — the plan must be reviewed at least every five years, or sooner if conditions change
- Records of any inspections, incidents, or removal work carried out
The plan must be kept on site and made available to workers, contractors, and WorkSafe NZ inspectors on request.
When Is an Asbestos Management Plan Legally Required?
The regulations draw a clear line based on how a building is used:
Workplaces (including rental properties used for business)
If a building is a workplace — meaning people are employed or carry out work there — the person with management or control of the workplace (often the building owner or landlord) must:
- Identify whether ACMs are present (usually through a professional asbestos survey)
- Prepare and maintain an AMP if ACMs are found or assumed to be present
This applies to offices, factories, shops, schools, and any other commercial or industrial premises built before 2000.
Residential Rental Properties
For residential rental properties, the rules are less prescriptive — a formal AMP is not automatically required by the Asbestos Regulations. However, landlords still have duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 if tradespeople or contractors work on the property. If you're a landlord and your rental was built before 2000, it's strongly advisable to commission an asbestos survey and prepare a management plan before any renovation or maintenance work begins. Check Tenancy Services for your broader landlord obligations.
Owner-Occupied Homes
If you own and live in your own home, you are not legally required to have an AMP. However, if you plan to renovate, demolish, or carry out any work that might disturb suspected ACMs, you have a responsibility to manage the risk — both for yourself and for any tradespeople you hire. BRANZ recommends having a professional asbestos survey done before any significant renovation work on pre-2000 homes.
Demolition and Refurbishment
Before any demolition or major refurbishment of a building that may contain asbestos, a refurbishment/demolition asbestos survey must be carried out by a competent person. This is a more intrusive survey than a standard management survey. The results feed directly into the AMP and any removal work plan.
Who Can Prepare an Asbestos Management Plan?
An AMP must be prepared by a competent person — someone with the appropriate knowledge, training, and experience to identify and assess ACMs. In practice, this usually means a licensed asbestos assessor or surveyor. For Class A asbestos removal work (involving friable asbestos), a licensed removalist and a licensed asbestos assessor must be involved. WorkSafe NZ maintains guidance on licensing requirements for asbestos work.
For Class B removal (non-friable ACMs, up to 10 m²), a licensed Class B removalist is required. Work beyond these thresholds must be carried out by a licensed Class A removalist.
What Happens If You Don't Have One?
Failure to prepare or maintain a required AMP can result in significant penalties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. More importantly, disturbing asbestos without proper controls puts lives at risk. WorkSafe NZ takes asbestos compliance seriously and can issue improvement notices, prohibition notices, or prosecute.
When to Call a Professional
You should engage a qualified asbestos specialist if:
- Your building was constructed before 2000 and you're planning renovation, maintenance, or demolition
- You've found damaged or deteriorating materials you suspect contain asbestos
- You're a landlord or building manager needing to meet your legal obligations
- You need an AMP prepared or reviewed
Never attempt to sample or remove suspected asbestos yourself without proper training and equipment. Find a licensed asbestos removal specialist near you on tradedirectory.co.nz.
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