Two alarming cases of unsafe gas installations — one by a licensed tradesman and another by an unqualified imposter — have drawn strong action from New Zealand regulators, underscoring the dangers of poor gasfitting work and serving as a warning to Wellington plumbers and the wider industry.
Licensed Gasfitter Suspended After Dangerous Installation in Bedroom
In Auckland, a certified plumber and gasfitter has had his licence suspended after installing a flueless gas cooker and two-burner cooktop inside a converted garage that was being used as a bedroom.
The installation, which lacked appropriate ventilation, created a severe risk of carbon monoxide poisoning for the occupants. The dangerous setup came to light after an Auckland Council inspection revealed “significant compliance issues.”
The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) described the offence as “very high risk” and said it could have had fatal consequences.
The plumber, who has a prior disciplinary history — having been fined $3,500 in 2021 after sustaining burns while working on a gas meter — was ordered to undergo further competency training. His licence will remain suspended until the training is complete. He was also ordered to pay $8,900 in disciplinary costs.
While he did return to the property to attempt remediation, the Board found that not all issues had been resolved, and a required gasfitting certificate of compliance was never issued.
Fake Gasfitter Fined $8,000 for Dangerous Work in Whangārei
Meanwhile, in Whangārei, a 68-year-old man has been fined $8,000 — one of the largest fines issued this year — after repeatedly carrying out gasfitting work while falsely claiming to be licensed.
He used forged identity cards and claimed he had been a gasfitter since 1985, despite never having held a valid licence. He was found to have performed highly dangerous installations in motorhomes and at a local marina.
One motorhome installation was so unsafe it posed a “high risk of explosion,” according to expert analysis. Poor ventilation and improper appliance installation meant the vehicle was a serious danger to its occupants.
The man continued to perform gasfitting work even after being formally warned by the PGDB that he was unregistered and unauthorised. He also issued false certificates of compliance and failed to provide customers with required safety documentation.
He pleaded guilty to multiple charges under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act. In addition to the $8,000 fine, he was ordered to pay $2,800 in reparations and nearly $700 in court costs. He is currently appealing the conviction, claiming he pleaded guilty under pressure.
Key Safety Message
The PGDB has stressed that both cases highlight the life-threatening consequences of unauthorised or poorly performed gasfitting work.
Consumers — whether in Wellington or across the country — are urged to:
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Always verify a gasfitter’s licence status through the PGDB’s online public register.
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Insist on a certificate of compliance for all gasfitting work.
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Never accept flueless gas appliances being installed in enclosed spaces such as bedrooms.
These recent cases serve as a stark reminder to Wellington plumbers and gasfitters that gasfitting must only be performed by properly trained and authorised professionals — and that both the industry and the regulators will take strong action to protect public safety when standards are breached.