Asbestos Stories

Kiwi Stories

Asbestos stories

March Construction wins top Canterbury awards honour

Its museum redevelopment work earned March Construction the region's top contractor title, alongside a separate win for projects worth over $10 million.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Today

Asbestos

'Done and dusted': Ashburton's Balmoral Hall reduced to rubble

After 55 years of dance classes, the hall's demolition has left Ashburton residents mourning lost memories as the council scraps a leaky, decayed building.

By Jonathan Leask • 3 min read • Today

Commerce Commission

Sand-related toys will need to be tested for asbestos before being sold in New Zealand

Parents will face tighter checks on children's toys after a recall of contaminated products exposed more than 45,000 items to asbestos risk.

By RNZ • 4 min read • Last month

Asbestos

Asbestos dumped at abandoned Hawke's Bay camp prompts boulder barrier

Ratepayers have paid more than $2000 to clear asbestos from the closed campground, prompting council to block vehicle access with boulders.

By Linda Hall • 3 min read • Last month

Risk & Compliance

No excuses – employers must by law protect workers from silica dust

Silicosis and lung cancer remain a threat as construction, mining and manufacturing workers face airborne particles from cutting and drilling silica materials.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Sun, 26th Jul 2026

Risk & Compliance

Supportive WorkSafe does not mean carte blanche to ignore safety rules

Ignoring a prohibition notice over asbestos work cost a property owner NZD $32,000 after inspectors found repeated defiance in Auckland.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Sun, 14th Jun 2026

Risk & Compliance

The danger we still do not see

Asbestos still claims about 220 lives a year in New Zealand, making proper identification on older worksites crucial to prevent exposure.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Wed, 10th Sep 2025

Risk & Compliance

Good practice guide for asbestos surveys

Buildings erected before 2000 are most at risk, as WorkSafe's new guide aims to help surveyors spot asbestos and prevent unsafe exposure.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Tue, 12th Aug 2025

Risk & Compliance

Fraudulent asbestos removals catch up with project manager

Customers may have been exposed to unsafe asbestos handling after a project manager used a firm's name to pocket NZD $21,938.75.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 13th Apr 2025

Risk & Compliance

Long way to go after more asbestos prosecutions

Preventable asbestos disease still kills about 220 people a year, prompting WorkSafe to warn tradies and businesses after fresh prosecutions.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Mon, 11th Dec 2023

Construction

Top 9 health & safety risks in construction

Worksites remain vulnerable to falls, electrocution and fire, with the risk of serious injury or death still high without strict controls.

By Michael Curreen • 6 min read • Wed, 22nd Mar 2023

Risk & Compliance

Asbestos oversight a dangerous and expensive mishap

A Christchurch flooring job ended in court after asbestos-tainted vinyl was handled unsafely, triggering fines and fresh warnings.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 19th Feb 2023

Disaster Recovery

Keeping safe during flooding emergency and recovery

Flood-hit workplaces face electric shock, gas and asbestos risks, prompting WorkSafe to urge staff to speak up before resuming duties.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Wed, 1st Feb 2023

Risk & Compliance

More must be done to manage asbestos risks

Poor handling of asbestos remains a deadly threat in ageing buildings, with WorkSafe warning around 220 New Zealanders die each year.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Fri, 25th Nov 2022

Facilities management

Asbestos and water blasting not a good mix

Contractors risk prosecution and hefty fines if high-pressure water blasting disturbs asbestos on roofs or cladding in New Zealand.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Mon, 6th Jun 2022

Construction

Cutting-edge solutions to handle building waste

Construction waste is harder to recycle than most rubbish because asbestos and other pollutants must be stripped out first.

By Michael Curreen • 5 min read • Wed, 18th May 2022

Law

$15k fine for unlicensed asbestos removal

WorkSafe said workers were exposed to dangerous fibres after friable asbestos was stripped from a Queenstown property without a licence or safety plan.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Tue, 17th Nov 2020

Risk & Compliance