Aaron L’Estrange Corbet carried out drainlaying work at a home in Glen Eden without authorisation. When the work was found to be defective by a certifying drainlayer who was engaged by the home owners to inspect the work, a complaint was lodged with the Board.
Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are regulated industries in New Zealand, and it is illegal to do this work unless authorised by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.
As with the previous prosecution, Mr L’Estrange Corbet carried out work on a foul water drainage system. He was not authorised in any way to do drainlaying at the time of the relevant work, and he has never been registered under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act as a drainlayer.
The Board advises all consumers to take every precaution when engaging with plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying service providers, and recommends asking to see an authorisation card before any work commences. This way they can be assured the work is being done lawfully and by a competent tradesperson.
Board chief executive Max Pedersen says people should not risk their family’s health and safety, or their insurance, by hiring unauthorised people.
“There are serious health and safety risks associated with drainlaying carried out by an unauthorised person. Any defective work has the potential to cause disease and serious damage to the property,” Mr Pedersen says.
If a home owner believes that work has been done by someone who is not authorised, or has concerns about the competency of tradespeople, they can make a complaint to the Board.
Mr L’Estrange Corbet was convicted and fined $1500, and ordered to pay $130 court costs and a $113 solicitors fee.
In October last year Mr L’Estrange Corbet was convicted on two charges under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act. He was fined $1500 for doing unauthorised drainlaying work, and fined $2000 for claiming to be licensed or registered.
The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board is the statutory body which regulates the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying trades to ensure those providing these services are competent and safe in order to protect the public and property.
