Updated Asbestos Guidance Signals Renewed Focus On Safe Removal Practices Across New Zealand

Asbestos remains New Zealand's number one work-related killer, with an estimated 220 people dying each year from preventable asbestos-related diseases, according to WorkSafe New Zealand. The regulator has set a national target of achieving a 50 percent reduction in asbestos-related disease by 2040, a goal that underpins a comprehensive programme of guidance reform currently underway. New and updated asbestos management guides began rolling out in 2025, with further publications targeted at surveyors, removalists, assessors and tradespeople planned for release through 2025 and 2026. The updated guidance reflects the ongoing scale of the challenge: asbestos was incorporated into thousands of building products from the 1950s through to the 1980s, and remains embedded in residential, commercial and industrial structures throughout the country.

The Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 require any business removing more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos to hold a WorkSafe removal licence, and friable asbestos work demands the highest classification of licensed operator. For property owners and developers undertaking renovation, refurbishment or demolition of pre-1990 buildings, engaging licensed asbestos removers has become a non-negotiable compliance step rather than an optional precaution. The regulatory framework has strengthened considerably since the licensing regime came into full effect, with WorkSafe conducting practice checks on licensed removalists and requiring certified safety management systems for Class A operators handling the highest-risk materials.

Demand for specialist removal services extends across both the residential and commercial sectors. Stats NZ building consent data shows that new dwelling consents rose 1.0 percent in the year ended June 2025 to 33,979, while renovation and alteration activity on existing buildings continues to generate significant volumes of asbestos-related work as ageing housing stock is upgraded. For projects involving the identification, containment and safe disposal of asbestos-containing materials, asbestos removal in NZ is governed by detailed procedural requirements covering everything from site enclosure and air monitoring through to waste transport and landfill acceptance criteria. The Approved Code of Practice for the Management and Removal of Asbestos remains the primary reference for enforceable good practice until all updated guidance documents have been published.

Providers such as Morecroft operate across multiple regions, delivering licensed asbestos removal as part of broader site preparation, demolition and environmental remediation programmes. With WorkSafe continuing to update its regulatory framework and enforcement activity, and the volume of pre-1990 building stock requiring assessment or remediation showing no sign of diminishing, the demand for compliant, documented asbestos management services is expected to remain a significant component of construction and property sector activity for the foreseeable future.

© Scoop Media