What electrical and plumbing work can a homeowner do in New Zealand?
Short answer
More than in Australia. If you own and live in the home and aren't paid for the work, New Zealand's homeowner exemption lets you replace switches, sockets, light fittings and ceiling roses, connect fixed-wired appliances and move existing outlets. New or extended circuits must be tested and connected by a licensed electrical inspector. For plumbing, you can replace or repair taps and install appliances like dishwashers, but fixing or unfixing pipes needs a licensed plumber.
New Zealand has a genuine homeowner exemption for electrical work — something no Australian state has. But it comes with conditions, and plumbing and gas are much tighter.
Electrical: the homeowner exemption
Who can use it: you must own the home and live in it, the work must be on a low-voltage installation, and you can’t be paid for it. Landlords, tenants and employees can’t use the exemption.
What you can do without an inspection (per WorkSafe NZ):
- remove and replace switches, socket outlets, permanent connection units, light fittings, batten holders, cord-grip lampholders and ceiling roses
- replace water-heater switches and thermostats
- remove and replace fuse links
- connect and disconnect fixed-wired appliances
- move existing switches, sockets and lighting outlets wired with TPS cable
What must be inspected: if you install, extend or alter sub-circuits, you can’t connect the work to the supply yourself. A licensed electrical inspector must test and connect it — WorkSafe recommends talking to the inspector before you start.
Never: work on the switchboard, other than replacing fuse wire or cartridges.
Plumbing, gas and drains
The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board sets out what homeowners can do:
| Work | Homeowner? |
|---|---|
| Install appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines | Yes |
| Replace or repair taps, ball cocks and plugs (including tap washers) | Yes |
| Fixing or unfixing pipes, fixtures, traps, waste, soil, vent or water supply pipes | Licensed plumber |
| Portable gas appliances with the bottle attached (BBQ, patio heater) | Yes |
| Fixing or unfixing gas pipes or flues, or commissioning | Licensed gasfitter |
| Clearing a blocked drain (without altering the inspection or vent pipe) | Yes |
| Installing, altering or repairing a drain | Licensed drainlayer |
Building consent is a separate question
Schedule 1 of the Building Act lets some plumbing and drainage repairs and replacements happen without a building consent — but only when an authorised (licensed) person does the work. It removes the need for consent, not the need for a licence.
Compared with Australia
Across the Tasman, replacing a switch or socket is licensed electrical work in every state, and the plumbing exemptions are narrower. See what you can legally DIY in Australia.
Sources
Every rule on this page is taken from these official sources. If a rule has changed, please tell us and we’ll fix it.
This guide is general information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ between states, councils and individual properties, and they change. Confirm with your state regulator or council before starting work, and if in doubt, get a licensed tradesperson.