19 December 2025
Issue #130
Registrar and Presiding Member update
Kia ora
Welcome to the final Electron newsletter for 2025.
We want to acknowledge the work of the team that supports the EW scheme. This has been another busy year.
The statutory non-working days for us are between 24 December 2025 and 16 January 2026. If you apply during this time, we will treat it as being received on 16 January 2026 and get back to you as soon as we can.
In this edition we have some important information about:
- changes to the Electricity (Safety) Regulations
- transitioning to new endorsed classes, and
- changes to solar panel exemptions.
We hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter and wish you and your whānau a safe and happy summer.
Duncan Connor
Registrar of Licensed Electrical Workers
Russell Key
Presiding Member
Changes to Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010
The Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2025 were issued on 13 October 2025, amending the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010, and comes into force on 13 November 2025.
Electric Vehicle Charging Installations
The Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2025, cite AS/NZS 3000:2018 (the Wiring Rules), which includes requirements for the installation of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).
Generation Systems Using Battery Energy Storage
The citation of AS/NZS 3000:2018 in the amended Electricity (Safety) Regulations causes AS/NZS 5139 Electrical installations - Safety of battery systems for use with power conversion equipment to be applicable for the installation of battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Standard of the Month – AS/NZS 4836:2023
AS/NZS 4836 deals with “safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment”. It covers a wide range of safety issues that electrical workers face every day.
Streamlined application process for endorsed registration classes
A new streamlined application process for endorsed registration classes is coming by the end of the year. Check your compliance date on our website.
Prosecution – EWRB v Shaun Stringer
On 13 August 2025, Shaun Stringer was sentenced on one charge of doing unauthorised prescribed electrical work.
Solar panel consent exemption changes
Changes to Schedule 1 of the Building Act started on Thursday 23 October 2025. These changes introduce new building consent exemptions for roof-mounted solar panel arrays.
Building and Construction Sector Amendment Bill
The Building and Construction Sector (Strengthening Occupational Licensing Regimes) Amendment Bill had its first reading in Parliament on 18 November 2025.
Reminder: Online standards library terms and conditions
The arrangement between Standards New Zealand and the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) for the use of joint and NZ only standards allow members to download and print one copy of each standard.
Complaint decisions – December 2025
This month we summarise the outcomes of nine cases of disciplinary decisions amongst licensed electrical workers. For more information on these offences and the outcomes visit our website.
