Asbestos & Decontamination

Six children’s coloured sand products prompted widespread school closures across Australia and New Zealand in November 2025 after laboratory testing detected traces of tremolite and chrysotile asbestos. By mid‑November, dozens of schools in New Zealand and over 70 in Australia’s ACT had temporarily shut, while hundreds more sought guidance from regulators. The products, rainbow sand from Educational […]

WorkSafe is considering replacing the existing approved asbestos code of practice with more flexible good practice guidelines. Experts warn that although guidelines offer adaptability, they lack the certainty and enforceability that codes provide. NZCTU president Sandra Grey says stronger protections are needed for workers. “Around 220 workers are killed from asbestos-related deaths every year,” the […]

Arson crime is on the rise. A fire was deliberately lit at a Hibiscus Coast café over Halloween weekend. It’s the latest in a series of attempted arson on Ōrewa businesses. “I want the community to know that these attacks on local businesses won’t be tolerated and we are working hard to hold those responsible […]

The Government is clarifying its regulations around meth residue management in rental properties. Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says that the lack of legislation on acceptable levels of methamphetamine residue in rentals has caused long-standing confusion. “Landlords and tenants deserve clarity on when rentals must be tested for residue, what should be done to ensure […]

Auckland Central Fire Station was evacuated after asbestos was found in the building. Positive tests came back from an unused room at the Pitt Street station, a space that had been under monitoring since a removal effort in September 2024.  Staff and vehicles were unable to enter the station, and crews received precautionary decontamination. Fire […]

Many commercial buildings face challenges such as leaks, rust, and the presence of asbestos in older roofing materials. Yet replacing old roofs entirely can be a costly and troublesome process. Asbestos roof encapsulation offers an alternative solution. The process involves applying a special sealant to an asbestos roof, creating a protective coating that traps fibres […]