Asbestos Businesses in Canterbury, New Zealand
Asbestos in New Zealand is governed by the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, made under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. WorkSafe New Zealand enforces the regulations nationally. Since 1 October 2016, importing asbestos-containing products into New Zealand has been illegal. The airborne contamination standard is 0.1 respirable asbestos fibres per millilitre of air averaged over eight hours.
Any Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must identify asbestos at their workplace and eliminate exposure to airborne asbestos so far as is reasonably practicable. Buildings constructed before 1 January 2000 are presumed likely to contain asbestos. Where asbestos is identified or suspected, the PCBU must prepare and maintain a management plan covering the location and condition of all known or assumed asbestos-containing material, how exposure risks are managed, and procedures for incidents or emergencies. Plans must be reviewed at least every five years. Where multiple PCBUs share a workplace, they must consult, cooperate, and coordinate their asbestos management.
Unlike Australia, where each state has its own regulator and there is a push toward national consistency through ASSEA, New Zealand's asbestos regulations are already national. WorkSafe NZ is the single regulator across the whole country.
Licensing
All licensed asbestos removal requires a licence from WorkSafe:
- Class A permits removal of any quantity of friable and non-friable asbestos. Nominated supervisors need at least three years of experience including a minimum of 600 days removing friable asbestos. The PCBU must have a certified safety management system, and an independent assessor must do air monitoring and issue clearance certificates.
- Class B permits removal of more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos. Supervisors need at least one year of experience including 200 days of non-friable removal. Removing 10 square metres or less of non-friable asbestos by a competent person does not require a licence, but must still follow the regulations and Code of Practice.
Workers must hold the appropriate NZQA unit standard qualifications. All licensed work requires a removal control plan, decontamination facilities, and proper waste disposal. WorkSafe must be notified before licensed work begins. Samples must be analysed by a lab accredited by IANZ or NATA.
Disposal
Local councils: Ashburton District Council's resource recovery parks do not accept asbestos or products containing asbestos. Timaru District Council has specific requirements for asbestos disposal at Redruth and recommends using an asbestos removal specialist. Check with your district council before transporting asbestos.
Regulators
Legislation & Codes of Practice
Industry Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What asbestos removal licence applies to jobs in Canterbury?
Can I take asbestos to my local transfer station in Canterbury?
Can any lab test asbestos samples from Canterbury?
Showing 1–12 of 27 results
All Safe Environmental Solutions
Hanmer Springs, Canterbury
All Safe Environmental Solutions is a specialist asbestos removal company with 27 years of combined team experience, providing safe and efficient asbestos elimination, surveying, sampling, and training services in Christchurch and throughout New Zealand.
View DetailsEnvironmental Education Centre of NZ
Craigieburn, Canterbury
Environmental Education Centre of NZ is an asbestos training provider based in Craigieburn, Canterbury. The centre delivers specialised training programmes focused on asbestos awareness and environmental safety compliance for workers and organizations across New Zealand.
View DetailsInsight Building Inspections
Amberley, Canterbury
Insight Building Inspections is a Christchurch-based team that delivers detailed building inspection reports for residential and commercial properties, helping buyers, sellers, and owners make informed decisions.
View DetailsJim's Building Inspections Rolleston
Kirwee, Canterbury
Jim's Building Inspections provides comprehensive building inspections, asbestos inspections, and toxicology reports for residential and commercial properties across New Zealand. They deliver detailed, easy-to-read inspection reports within 24 hours.
View DetailsIdentify Consulting
Hanmer Springs, Canterbury
Identify Consulting is an independent company providing qualified asbestos surveying, assessment, and management services for residential and commercial properties throughout New Zealand.
View DetailsTepirita Enterprises Ltd
Te Pirita, Canterbury
Tepirita Enterprises Ltd is an asbestos removal specialist based in Te Pirita, Canterbury. The company provides professional asbestos abatement services to residential and commercial clients throughout the region. Tepirita Enterprises handles asbestos identification, safe removal, and proper disposal in compliance with environmental regulations.
View DetailsHealth & Safety Systems
Avonside, Canterbury
Health & Safety Systems is an asbestos training provider based in Avonside, Canterbury, specialising in professional development and compliance training for environmental and occupational health sectors. The company delivers essential asbestos awareness and safety instruction to help organizations and individuals meet regulatory requirements and maintain workplace safety standards.
View DetailsSC Environmental
Christchurch, Canterbury
SC Environmental delivers comprehensive asbestos consultancy across commercial, industrial, and residential sectors with over 25 years of industry expertise, from hazardous materials identification through to regulatory compliance and ongoing risk management.
View DetailsMomentum Environmental Limited
Southbridge, Canterbury
Momentum Environmental Limited is an asbestos removal and environmental services company based in Southbridge, Canterbury. The business specialises in asbestos abatement and environmental remediation services, providing professional solutions for properties requiring hazard identification and safe removal.
View DetailsCanterbury Training & Contracting
Charwell Forks, Canterbury
Canterbury Training & Contracting, based in Charwell Forks, Canterbury, is an asbestos training provider offering professional development and contracting services in environmental and asbestos management. The company specialises in equipping professionals with essential knowledge and practical skills for safe asbestos handling and compliance.
View DetailsOCON GROUP │Demolition Contractor
Timaru, Canterbury
OCON Group is a civil and demolition contractor offering earthworks, demolition, decommissioning, retaining wall solutions, and environmental remediation services across Dunedin, Queenstown, and the greater Otago region.
View DetailsAshburton Workplace Health
Allenton, Canterbury
Ashburton Workplace Health is an occupational hygiene service based in Allenton, Canterbury, specialising in asbestos management and environmental health assessments. The company helps organizations identify and mitigate workplace hazards to ensure employee safety and regulatory compliance.
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