In New Zealand, handymen are great for a wide range of general maintenance and minor repair tasks — but the law draws a clear line around certain types of work that must be carried out by a licensed professional. Getting this wrong can void your insurance, create safety hazards, and even result in fines. Here's a plain-English guide to what's restricted and why it matters.
Why the Rules Exist
NZ has strict licensing requirements for trades that carry serious safety or structural risks. These rules sit under legislation like the Electricity Act 1992, the Gas Act 1992, the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006, and the Building Act 2004. The goal is to protect homeowners, occupants, and the public from unsafe work. If unlicensed work causes harm or damage, your insurance company may decline your claim.
Electrical Work — Restricted by Law
Almost all electrical wiring work in NZ is restricted electrical work (REW) and must be carried out by a registered electrician. This includes:
- Installing, altering, or repairing wiring, switchboards, or circuits
- Connecting new power points, light fittings (where new wiring is involved), or appliances to fixed wiring
- Installing heat pumps, electric hot water cylinders, or EV chargers
The Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) oversees licensing. A registered electrician must also issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for completed work.
What a homeowner CAN do: Replace a light bulb, swap a like-for-like plug-in appliance, or reset a tripped circuit breaker. That's about it.
⚠️ Safety note: Unlicensed electrical work is a leading cause of house fires in NZ. Never cut corners here.
Gas Work — Restricted by Law
All gasfitting work — connecting, altering, or repairing gas appliances and pipework — must be done by a licensed gasfitter registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). This covers:
- Installing or connecting gas hobs, ovens, heaters, or hot water systems
- Altering gas pipework
- Commissioning or decommissioning gas appliances
What a homeowner CAN do: Disconnect a plug-in LPG appliance (like a portable BBQ) from its bottle. Fixed gas connections are always restricted work.
⚠️ Safety note: A gas leak can cause explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning. Always use a licensed gasfitter.
Plumbing and Drainlaying — Restricted by Law
Sanitary plumbing (work on pipes that carry waste or supply water to fixtures) and drainlaying (underground drainage) are also restricted under the PGDB. Licensed plumbers must carry out:
- Installing or relocating toilets, sinks, showers, or baths
- Connecting to the water main or wastewater system
- Installing hot water cylinders (also involves electrical connections)
- Any work on underground drains
What a homeowner CAN do: Replace a tap washer, unblock a drain with a plunger, or replace a showerhead on an existing fitting — provided no pipework is altered.
Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) Work
Certain building work that affects the structural integrity or weathertightness of your home must be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP). This is called Restricted Building Work (RBW) and includes:
- Structural work (removing load-bearing walls, adding beams)
- Work on the primary structure (foundations, framing)
- Weathertightness work (roofing, cladding, windows in certain situations)
- Design work for the above
A handyman — no matter how skilled — cannot legally carry out RBW unless they hold an LBP licence in the relevant category.
Building Consents — Don't Forget This Step
Even when using a licensed tradesperson, many projects require a building consent from your local council before work begins. Examples include new rooms, decks over a certain height, retaining walls over a certain height, and most structural alterations.
Some minor work is exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act — but the exemptions have conditions and vary by project. Always check with your local council before starting. MBIE Building Performance has detailed guidance on what requires consent.
What a Handyman CAN Legally Do
To be fair to handymen, there's plenty they can legally and competently handle:
| Task | Handyman OK? |
|---|---|
| Painting and decorating | ✅ Yes |
| Tiling (non-structural) | ✅ Yes |
| Fence repairs and installation | ✅ Usually (check height/consent) |
| Flat-pack furniture assembly | ✅ Yes |
| Minor carpentry (shelving, doors) | ✅ Yes |
| Gutter cleaning and minor repairs | ✅ Yes |
| Replacing tap washers | ✅ Yes |
| Electrical wiring | ❌ No — licensed electrician required |
| Gas connections | ❌ No — licensed gasfitter required |
| Structural building work | ❌ No — LBP required |
| Drainlaying | ❌ No — licensed drainlayer required |
When to Call a Professional
If your job involves electricity, gas, plumbing, drainlaying, or structural/weathertightness building work, stop and call a licensed tradesperson. It's not just best practice — it's the law. A good handyman will tell you the same thing and refer you on rather than take on work outside their legal scope.
You can find qualified, vetted local tradespeople across all these disciplines at tradedirectory.co.nz.
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