Useful resources

Access practical information relating to plumbing, drainage, gas and roofing.

Websites | Publications | Case studies

Websites

Building Research Association of NZ - branz.co.nz
Includes online bookshop for homeowners.

Clean Heat Project - cleanheat.org.nz
Offering financial assistance to Canterbury homeowners.

ConsumerBuild - consumerbuild.org.nz
Independent, up-to-date consumer information on building, buying, renovating and maintaining homes.

Department of Building and Housing - dbh.govt.nz
Includes information about Building Act, Building Code, building consents and occupational licensing.

Eco Design Advisor - ecodesignadvisor.org.nz
Free advice service available from several councils to help with eco-friendly home building and renovating projects.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority - eeca.govt.nz

Energy Safety - energysafety.govt.nz
NZ regulator for ensuring the safe supply and use of electricity and gas. Provides consumer alerts on gas safety.

EECA EnergyWise - energywise.govt.nz
EECA's consumer programme. Information and funding for householders to encourage energy efficient choices (eg, solar and heat pump water heating; insulation and clean heating).

Gas Association of New Zealand - ganz.org.nz
Includes consumer section on why to choose gas, how to get gas and its different uses.

New Zealand Home Heating Association - homeheat.co.nz

Home Sprinklers - homesprinklers.fire.org.nz
NZ Fire Service home sprinkler website.

Level - level.org.nz
BRANZ website giving advice and information on sustainable building.

LPG Association - lpga.org.nz
Includes consumer advice.

Ministry for the Environment - mfe.govt.nz
Includes information about the water efficiency labelling scheme, woodburner air quality requirements, and the Resource Management Act.

Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board - pgdb.co.nz
Responsible for the registration and licensing of plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. Site includes online public search of the register and online search for Gasfitting Certificates.

Smarter Homes - smarterhomes.org.nz
Website owned by Department of Building and Housing, giving independent advice on creating healthy, affordable, efficient homes.

Solar Industries Association - solarindustries.org.nz
Industry contact for manufacturers, importers and installers of solar water heating systems.

Sustainability - sustainability.govt.nz
Government site with advice on ways to reduce your impact on the environment and save money.

Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme - waterefficiency.govt.nz
Designed to give consumers information at the point of sale about a particular product's water consumption and efficiency.

Water New Zealand - waternz.org.nz
Includes consumer publications.

Publications

Living Safely with Gas
Free consumer publication from Energy Safety, also available for download as a PDF.

Gas and Electrical Safety for Caravans and Motorhomes
Simple tips for safe use from Energy Safety. Available for download as a PDF.

Let it Breathe
Advice on safe use of gas camping appliances from Energy Safety. Available for download as a PDF.

LPG Cabinet Heater Service Agents 2006
A list from Energy Safety of LPG cabinet heater service agents. Available for download as a PDF.

LPG Cylinder Testing Agencies
A list from Energy Safety of LPG cylinder testing agencies. Available for download as a CSV file.

Unflued Gas Heaters and your Health
Information from ConsumerBuild. Available for download as a PDF.

The Story of Drinking Water
Informative booklet from Water New Zealand. Available for download as a PDF. 

The Story of Your Septic Tank System
Water NZ brochure to help you manage and understand the disposal and treatment of household wastewater. Available for download as a PDF. 

Keep it Clean - Preventing Stormwater Pollution
Water NZ booklet with tips and ideas on preventing stormwater pollution. Available for download as a PDF. 

Savings in your House
Brochure on water conservation tips around the home from Water New Zealand. Available for download as a PDF. 

Maintaining your Home
358-page book from BRANZ offering practical advice on common problems and their causes, what needs to be done and whether you can do it yourself or should contact an expert for advice. Available to order online. 

Maintaining your Home Checklist
Checklist from ConsumerBuild to help homeowners protect their properties. Available to download as a PDF. 

Guide to Applying for a Building Consent (simple residential buildings)
Department of Building and Housing guidance. Available to download as a PDF. 

A Beginner's Guide to Resource and Building Consent Processes
Free guide from Department of Building and Housing for members of the public who are considering a building activity that may require both a building consent and resource consent. Available for download as a PDF. 

Case studies

Senior citizens Jim and Margaret Wallace will be forever thankful they opted to install sprinklers in their Tauranga home. Read more.

Water conservation was a priority - and a council requirement - for the developers of Waterstone, a new subdivision in Paraparaumu. Read more.