Police and safety authorities are investigating an alleged scam where illegal gas connections that could be lethal have been fitted in homes and businesses.
More than 570 blank safety certificates have been signed by a registered gasfitter over the past three years then sold on to unqualified tradesmen who carried out work in Auckland and Northland, The New Zealand Herald reported.
The alleged scam was uncovered when a homeowner last year noticed her gas certificate looked bogus and laid a complaint with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board, which then launched an inquiry and discovered the scale of the alleged offending.
The board audited more than 370 commercial premises and private homes and found more than 90 per cent failed to meet compliance tests, with 16 found to be dangerous or unsafe.
Energy Safety, part of the Ministry of Economic Development, and the Department of Labour are also investigating the potentially explosive gas fittings. A complaint has also been laid with police.
Board spokesman John Debernardo said the work had the potential to create danger or pose a health and safety risk.
The internal investigation would be completed in a few weeks and a disciplinary hearing was likely for the gasfitter at the centre of the audit.
Criminal charges were also possible for the man signing the blank certificates and those who paid money for them.
The board is calling on the public to trace the unlicensed work.
