PGDB-licensed drainlayers handling new build drainage, drain repairs, CCTV diagnostics and council-compliant installations across Hamilton and the wider Waikato.
Drainlaying isn’t a sideline for us — it’s a core trade we’re licensed and certified to carry out. Plumbway Ltd is registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) as a drainlayer under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006. That means every drainage job we complete is done lawfully, signed off properly, and meets the standards your council and your insurer expect.
We cover the full scope of residential and light commercial drainlaying across Hamilton, Cambridge, Huntly, Te Awamutu, Ngaruawahia, Morrinsville, Matamata and the wider Waikato region — from connecting brand-new builds to council mains, through to fixing collapsed earthenware drains in 1920s villas. If it’s underground and carries water away, we work on it.
Our drainlaying work covers everything from greenfield installations to retrofit repairs on heritage properties. We handle:
The Waikato isn’t a single council jurisdiction — it’s several. Hamilton City Council, Waipā District Council (Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Pirongia), Waikato District Council (Huntly, Ngaruawahia, Raglan) and Matamata-Piako District Council (Morrinsville, Matamata) all have their own building consent processes, inspection protocols and stormwater requirements.
We work across all of them. We know which jobs need consent, which ones are exempt, when an inspection has to be booked, and what the council inspectors expect to see when they arrive. That means fewer surprises, faster sign-offs and no compliance headaches at the end of your project.
Drainlaying isn’t one job — it’s several distinct systems, each with their own design rules, materials and council requirements.
The pipes that carry waste from toilets, showers, kitchen sinks and laundries out to the council sewer connection (or to a septic system on properties without reticulated wastewater). Requires correct fall, venting and gully traps to function properly and meet council code.
Rainwater from roofs, decks, driveways and paved areas. Has to be directed away from the building and either out to a council stormwater connection or into an on-site soakage or attenuation system. Designed to handle peak rainfall without causing surface flooding.
For properties without direct council stormwater connections — common on lifestyle blocks and rural Waikato sites. We design and install soakage pits and attenuation systems sized to the catchment area and the local soil’s permeability.
For rural and lifestyle properties without reticulated wastewater. We install new septic systems, advanced wastewater treatment systems and the associated soakage fields, working to regional council requirements.
Kerbside tie-ins to council sewer and stormwater mains for new builds and subdivisions, including the inspection points and connection details that each Waikato council requires.
For damaged sections of existing drain runs — collapsed pipe, cracked earthenware, root intrusion. We diagnose with CCTV first, then repair, reline or replace depending on the severity and the surrounding ground conditions.
Required for cafes, restaurants and food premises across the Waikato to prevent grease entering the council sewer. We install council-compliant grease trap installations and provide ongoing servicing.
Camera inspections for recurring blockages, pre-purchase property reports, and verification of repair work. Non-invasive, recorded, and accurate enough to avoid the cost of speculative excavation.
Drainlaying is regulated in New Zealand by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006. It is illegal for an unregistered person to carry out drainlaying work for hire or reward — and doing so is a criminal offence that can void your insurance, void your council Code Compliance Certificate, and create serious problems at sale time.
Cheap unregistered drainage work is, almost without exception, more expensive in the long run. When the work fails inspection, fails council compliance or fails physically, you’re paying twice — once for the unlicensed work, and again for a licensed drainlayer to redo it.
Plumbway Ltd is fully PGDB-registered as a drainlayer, plumber and gasfitter, and is a Site Safe member. Every drainage job we complete is carried out under our licence and signed off appropriately. If it’s a job that requires council building consent and inspection, we manage that process too.
We cover the whole Waikato region from our Hamilton base — see your area:
Residential and commercial drainlaying across every Hamilton suburb — new builds, repairs and CCTV diagnostics.
View Hamilton drainlaying →Drainage for Leamington and Taylor’s Hill subdivisions, plus repairs on Cambridge’s character homes.
View Cambridge drainlaying →Drainage installation and repair across Huntly, Taupiri, Te Kauwhata and the northern Waikato.
View Huntly drainlaying →PGDB-licensed drainage work across Te Awamutu, Pirongia and the southern Waipā countryside.
View Te Awamutu services →Drainage installation and repair across Ngaruawahia and the lower Waikato River communities.
View Ngaruawahia services →Drainage work across Morrinsville and the Matamata-Piako district.
View Morrinsville services →Residential and rural drainage for Matamata, Hinuera and surrounds.
View Matamata services →Coastal drainage and rural systems for Raglan and the Whaingaroa community.
View Raglan services →Regional overview — all the towns we cover across the wider Waikato region in one place.
View Waikato hub →A licensed drainlayer installs, repairs and maintains the underground drainage system on a property — the wastewater, stormwater and sewer pipes that carry waste and rainwater away from the building to the council connection. Drainlayers handle everything from connecting new builds to council mains, to replacing failed sections of older drains, to installing soakage systems and gully traps. In New Zealand, only people registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) can lawfully carry out drainlaying work.
Yes. Plumbway Ltd is fully registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) as a drainlayer, plumber and gasfitter. Every drainlaying job we complete is performed under our PGDB licence and signed off appropriately. We're also a Site Safe member.
Most drainage work that connects to council mains, alters an existing drain layout, or forms part of a new build requires building consent from your local council (Hamilton City Council, Waipā District Council, Waikato District Council or Matamata-Piako District Council, depending on where you are). Minor repairs on existing drains within property boundaries are usually exempt. We can advise you whether your specific job needs consent before any work begins.
A plumber works on the water supply, hot water, gasfitting and fixtures inside and around the building. A drainlayer works on the underground wastewater, stormwater and sewer pipes that take waste and rainwater away from the building. Both trades are regulated by the PGDB and require separate licences. Plumbway Ltd holds all three (plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying), so we can deliver an entire project end-to-end without bringing in third-party trades.
In many cases, yes. For damaged sections of existing drains — particularly tree root damage or cracked earthenware in older Waikato properties — we can carry out localised repairs and reline pipe sections without full excavation, depending on what our CCTV drain inspection reveals. This is typically faster, cheaper and less disruptive than dig-and-replace. We'll walk you through the options once we've diagnosed the issue.
Drainlaying costs vary widely depending on the scope — a simple drain repair can be a few hundred dollars, while a complete new build drainage package for a residential build is typically several thousand. Larger jobs (septic systems, full drain replacements, commercial drainage) are quoted individually. We provide a fixed quote before any work begins, so you'll know the cost upfront — no surprise invoices at the end.
We install wastewater (sewer) drainage, stormwater drainage, surface water drainage, soakage systems, gully traps, inspection points, vent stacks and grease traps. We also handle septic tank connections and on-site wastewater treatment systems for lifestyle blocks not connected to council reticulated services. For new builds, we handle the full underground drainage package from the building to the council connection or on-site system.
Yes. We carry out drainage installation, repair and unblocking for both residential and light commercial properties across the Waikato. Commercial drainage work commonly includes grease traps for hospitality, stormwater interceptors for car parks and industrial yards, and council-compliant connections for retail and warehouse premises. We hold the appropriate PGDB licensing and Site Safe membership for commercial sites.
Yes. New drainage work installed by Plumbway Ltd carries our workmanship warranty, and materials are covered by the manufacturer's warranty (typically lengthy for modern PVC drainage components). For larger jobs requiring council building consent, the inspection and Code Compliance Certificate process provides additional assurance that the work has been completed correctly. We're fully insured for added peace of mind.
A CCTV drain inspection uses a small waterproof camera on a flexible cable that is fed down through an inspection point or gully trap. The camera records video footage of the inside of the drain, letting us see blockages, tree roots, cracks, collapsed sections, joint failures and any other defects. The inspection is non-invasive, takes 30–60 minutes for most residential drains, and gives a clear evidence-based diagnosis before any repair work is recommended.
PGDB-licensed, council-compliant, and based in Hamilton.
