The Gas Act 1992 provides for the regulation, supply, and use of gas, the regulation of the gas industry, and to protect the health and safety of members of the public in connection with the supply and use of gas in New Zealand

Gas Act 1992

The purposes of the Gas Act are:

  1. to provide for the regulation, supply, and use of gas in New Zealand
  2. to provide for the regulation of the gas industry in New Zealand
  3. to protect the health and safety of members of the public in connection with the supply and use of gas in New Zealand; and
  4. to promote the prevention of damage to property in connection with the supply and use of gas in New Zealand

Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006

The purposes of the Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006 are to protect the health and safety of members of the public by ensuring the competency of persons engaged in the provision of sanitary plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying services; and to regulate those persons. The  Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (external link)is responsible for gasfitters under the PGD Act.

In addition to regulating gasfitting and exemptions such as employer licences, this Act includes the definition of gasfitting.

Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

The Gas Act does not cover gas storage containers, such as LPG cylinders. The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO Act) creates controls for the approval, storage and use of gas containers. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)(external link) is responsible for administration of this Act.

WorkSafe is an enforcement agency under the HSNO Act for workplaces and also for non-workplaces in regard to gas distribution systems, installations and appliances.

From 1 December 2017 the rules to protect people from workplace activities involving hazardous substances moves into controls under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) – implemented by WorkSafe.