Before any design or construction work can begin, the services available on the site must be determined.

• Services to urban sites will typically include sewer and stormwater drainage, mains water supply, power, gas and telecommunications services.
• Rural sites will generally have power and telecommunications services, but may not have a mains water supply, gas, sewerage or stormwater services.
• Where services are not available at an urban or rural site boundary, early in the process ask for an estimate or quote for bringing them to the boundary. In some cases the cost can be substantial, even over relatively short distances, and housebuilding clients need to be aware of this.
• Remote sites may have no economical access to any services.

On this page:

• options for services
• underground network utility services
• legal site issues
• locating information.

Options for services

When assessing a site for building, the source of services must be determined.

Service	Possible sources/options
Potable water supply	Mains supply Groundwater A spring A stream Rainwater A combination of sources if one source is unlikely to be sufficient for the expected demand
Electricity	Mains supply On-site generation, which may be one or more of: • photo-voltaic • wind generation • micro hydro generation • fossil fuel generator
Gas	Reticulated Bottled
Sewage disposal	Mains sewer – if a sewer main connection is available, the wastewater system must be connected to it On-site wastewater treatment system
Stormwater disposal	Local authority stormwater system (if permissible) A soak pit (following the guidance in New Zealand Building Code Verification Method E1/VM1) A retention tank for garden watering etc. (but not human consumption) A natural waterway (with local authority consent)
Telecommunications (telephone and internet)	Telephone Landline connection Mobile phone connection Fibre-optic cable

Underground network utility services

In some generally urban locations, a site may be crossed by underground services such as water, gas, stormwater and sewer lines. These are likely to impose limitations on the design such as where the building may be built on the site and how close the building may be to the services.

Verify actual locations and invert levels of buried services. Do not rely on local authority drawings as they may not be accurate.

Legal site issues

Before beginning design work for a building, check the certificate of title for limitations from easements, covenants or restrictions on the site. A right of way should be registered on the title.

Locating information

Information regarding the infrastructure services and main utility service locations of a site are available on the property information memorandum (PIM) or land information memorandum (LIM). Local authority records such as building consent application documents and Code Compliance Certificates may provide additional information.

Gas and power and telecommunications companies should have information about the location of underground services.

Another service offering information on the location of underground utilities is www.beforeudig.co.nz. Some utility companies refer people to this site.

You can check what broadband internet options are available at a given location – including whether or not fibre is available – on the website https://broadbandmap.nz/home.

 

Updated: 30 September 2025