Minister discovers illegal wiring on national TV

Phil Heatley MP has been on a tour of slum housing of late and found some dodgy illegal wiring in one of his tenant's houses. Supposedly bright ideas looking for a solution. Spin doctors hard at work on national TV late last week.

While there, Mr Heatley noticed something per centHousing NZ had missed in its list of required work - a light fitting was hanging out of the ceiling in the children's bedroom and he worried the exposed wires were a hazard.

Very dodgy, the tenant later admitted his unsafe and illegal handiwork. And the text is as per the Herald article!

161. Offence to engage in prescribed electrical work without practising licence

• Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 who does any prescribed electrical work in contravention of section 95 of this Act.

• 
  

The Electricity Act is extremely clear on such matters. And the taxpayers have a bureaucracy at the MED on standby to prosecute offenders. Yessir. The Electrical Board spends every breath it takes chasing such illegalities.

I digress. The offence has been committed by the installation of the fluoros. I could safely assume it was not done by the holder of a Practicing Licence.

How's this for another bright idea that already has a solution? Phil will now refer Housing Corp as owner and Gogo as tentant under the Electricity Act for illegal wiring.