Government announcement of new Licencing class

Below is a government announcement today that includes a link for progressing occupational licensing for waterproofing in wet area bathrooms and level-entry showers.

This also ties in with the current government’s fast track work on of non-consented granny flats and builders being able to sign off consented work.

While there are no details on the how and the what, MBIE have assured us that Floor NZ will be consulted in the process.

Separately from this announcement, Floor NZ is at the start of beginning discussions with other industries/associations that are impacted with the current E3AS/1 document. The intention is to get collective agreement to submit to MBIE with suggested updates. At some stage, a consultation process with Floor NZ members will take place. There will be more to come as this evolves.

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Government announcement

• “progressing work to establish a new waterproofing licence class – homeowners can be confident LBPs completing their wet area bathrooms and level-entry showers are suitably qualified and accountable for their work”.

Tēnā koe 

Today, the Government has announced improvements to occupational licensing that applies to licensed tradespeople and the work they do. 

These changes ensure that licensed tradespeople can be held accountable when things go wrong. 

Changes to occupational licensing include: 

• improving the complaints and disciplinary processes for Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs), electrical workers and plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers  
• progressing work on a new waterproofing licence class for LBPs 
• allowing for the creation of codes of ethics for licensed electrical workers and licensed plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers.

The changes to occupational licensing aim to take effect in 2026.

Find out more about occupational licensing 

Ngā mihi nui
The Building Performance team

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