I have this to say:

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out--
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists
and I did not speak out--
because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out--
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me--
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Badger I think they answered you publically in the July Info Brief - they give you a whole page of information - after they have a crack about the Campbell Live programme.

hi guys,More infiltration at the board!!!cheers...Chris James who is currently Quality and Standards Manager at Master Plumbers has been appointed to the position of Team Leader Registration and Licensing and will start 29 July.

Yeah and did you read how they defended the trip to Aussie - it was to study the "training package".  Now that would be the training package that the Armstrong Report talked about - when it said the Board had no business poking their nose into training - the Act didn't allow it as far as I understand.  Mind you that's never stopped them doing what they want before.  Regardless I'm sure practitioners fees should not have been spent on such a junket.  Haven't they heard of phones, and email.  This took place at the beginning of their "world domination" phase.

What's happened to the Board Chair?  I see the Deputy Chair seems to be assuming the mantel in the newsletters.  I wonder if he actually watched Campbell Live himself.  I don't think anyone has condoned non qualified workers in this industry. The point he missed is that their illegal collection of fees and levies, not to mention the illegality around the CPD scheme has driven people to the stage where some have not been able to pay their fees, and others simply don't want to give it to a body they consider corrupt. 

I see the licensing numbers are down 12% - do the Board think all these people have gone to Australia?  I think not, they will be working in the system, not licensed and not upskilling. 

How can this board carry on the way they do when the EWRB are CUTTING costs and DROPPING the cost of licensing, and INCREASING the period your licence covers.  How can one regulatory body act so responsibly and the other one behave like a bunch of dopes. 

Flip Flop should appoint the EWRB to oversee our industries as well as the sparkies.

Good to see that obviously some of the comments are hurting them - I hope they feel ashamed.
While I'm at it - great pic of Wal in the latest issue of Toolbox Magazine.  Loving the picture and the sign he has outside his office.

Electrical licence last year was $94 incl GST in total not other fees and levies for one year.
Electrical licence 2013, if you applied on line or over the phone $120 for two years, so effectively $60 per year and a saving of $34a year with no other fees and levies attached.

I presume the powerpoint issue with be around what the call hazardous zones?  I will have a look at the electrical regs.

Well the Board say there are about 1000 certifying gasfitters in NZ - and say 40 turned up in the Hutt and another 10 in Wgtn.  Remember these were only organised a few days before hand with no real publicity other than one email invite.  So 5% of the total number of certifying gasfitters in NZ, but I don't know what the breakdown by region is. 

And would you put yourself forward Integrated because I think the Federation are calling for volunteers?