🔧 What Plumbing Can I Do Myself in NZ? (2026)
Plumbing in NZ is heavily regulated under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006. Most work beyond basic maintenance is restricted — meaning a licensed tradesperson must do it. Here's exactly where the line is drawn.
Allowed vs Restricted — Quick Reference
✅ You CAN do this yourself
- Replace tap washers and O-rings
- Clear blocked drains (plunger, snake, chemicals)
- Replace toilet internals (fill valve, flush valve, flapper, seat)
- Unscrew and replace a showerhead
- Connect dishwasher or washing machine via flexible braided hose to existing outlet
- Replace a garden tap (threaded replacement only)
- Adjust float valves in a cistern
- Insulate exposed pipes
❌ You CANNOT do this yourself
- Connect to or extend sanitary drainage
- Install or move toilets, basins, sinks, baths
- Install a hot water cylinder or heat pump hot water
- Any gas work (connections, pipes, appliances)
- Install a new shower or shower tray
- Solder, press, or glue supply pipe joints
- Install or move supply valves (isolating, pressure reducing)
- Replace or install a water meter
- Any work on mains supply entry
- Install a water pump or bore pump
The Three Licence Types — What They Cover
The PGDB registers three types of practitioners. Some tradespeople hold all three (a "combination" certificate); others hold only one:
| Type | What they can do | Common jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | Water supply, sanitary fittings, drainage within a building | Basins, toilets, hot water cylinders, kitchen sinks |
| Drainlayer | Sanitary drainage and stormwater drainage below ground | Drainage runs, septic systems, stormwater connections |
| Gasfitter | Natural gas and LPG supply, appliance connections | Gas hot water, stoves, gas fitting, pipe installation |
Gas Work — Zero Tolerance
Gas work has the strictest rules of any trade in NZ. All gas work — including connecting a portable LPG hose to a fixed fitting — requires a licensed gasfitter. The penalties are severe:
⚠️ Gas Work Penalties
- Fines up to $10,000
- Imprisonment up to 2 years
- Home insurance voided — insurers treat gas incidents as automatic liability
- Council will not issue Code Compliance Certificate
The reasons are straightforward: gas leaks cause explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. There is no grey area here.
Common DIY Plumbing Tasks — In Detail
Replacing Tap Washers
Turn off the isolating valve under the sink (or the mains stopcock if there isn't one), unscrew the tap body, replace the fibre or rubber washer, reassemble. This is maintenance and is fine to do yourself. If the tap keeps dripping after a new washer, the seat may be scored — call a plumber.
Toilet Internals
Everything inside the cistern is replaceable by a homeowner — fill valve (ballcock), flush valve (siphon or flap), inlet float, and the toilet seat. Hardware stores stock universal replacements. The moment you need to disconnect the cistern from the wall supply — stop, that's the supply line connection.
Clearing Blocked Drains
Plungers and hand-cranked drain snakes are fine. Chemical cleaners (caustic soda, enzyme cleaners) are fine in existing drains. If the blockage is in the underground sanitary drain (outside the house or in the floor), opening pipework is drainlaying work.
Showerheads
If it unscrews from the arm (the pipe coming from the wall) and you're just replacing the showerhead fitting — fine. If you're replacing the arm itself, the wall rose, or the mixer valve — that's plumbing work.
How Much Does a Plumber Cost?
Full rates at our Plumber Cost Per Hour guide. Quick reference:
| Job | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Callout + first hour | $165–$295 |
| Install toilet | $250–$500 |
| Install basin tap | $150–$280 |
| Hot water cylinder replacement (standard) | $1,500–$3,000 |
| New bathroom installation (plumbing only) | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Connect gas cooktop (gasfitter) | $200–$450 |
Need a Licensed Plumber?
Find PGDB-registered plumbers near you — verified reviews, direct contact.
Find Plumbers →Verifying a Plumber's Licence
Before any work starts, check your plumber's registration at pgdb.co.nz. Look for a current "Certifying" licence for plumbing or drainlaying — this is the class that can sign off their own work. After the job, they must issue a Certificate of Compliance — keep it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace a tap washer myself in NZ?
Yes — replacing the rubber washer inside an existing tap is maintenance and is fine to do yourself. Shut off the isolating valve first, then disassemble the tap. What you can't do is disconnect and reconnect the supply line itself.
Can I replace a toilet myself in NZ?
No. Installing a toilet involves disconnecting and reconnecting supply lines and making a sanitary waste connection — both are restricted plumbing and drainlaying work. A plumber typically charges $250–$500 to supply and install a toilet (toilet not included).
Can I install a dishwasher myself in NZ?
Yes, if you're connecting to an existing dishwasher outlet (under the sink). The braided flex hoses plug into existing fittings — this is appliance connection, not plumbing. If there's no existing outlet, a plumber needs to add one first.
Can I fix a leaking pipe myself in NZ?
For a minor pinhole leak as an emergency, applying a pipe repair clamp (from any hardware store) to stop flooding while you call a plumber is fine. Permanently repairing, joining, or extending supply pipework is restricted work.
Can I connect my own LPG appliance?
No. All gas connections — including LPG — require a licensed gasfitter. This includes connecting a gas stove, gas hot water unit, or LPG cylinder to a fixed fitting. Plug-in/screw-on camping-style gas hobs are fine as a consumer appliance.