Hi Tony,

Sorry to hear you got rejected! I'm sure we could use more trades people with your experience and qualifications here in New Zealand.

To answer your questions...

1. Yes there are 2 exams a year one in June and one in November
2. Yes you need to register only during the month of April & the PGDB will only accept the original registration form. So no fax, emails etc. Annoying, I know.
3. I have seen lots of study information and material come my way and i can definitely recommend the open polytechnic they have great courses, great Tutors and the study material they offer will help you guarantied. free phone is 0508650200.
4. If you want your own business you have to pass the common exam and one of the other two. If you pass the craftsman plumbing exam you can open a plumbing business. Pass the gas and you can open a gasfitting business. Pass both and you can do both gas and plumbing.
5. Yes you can under the condition that you hold a limited licence and that a craftsman oversees what you do. I heard rumors that this might change in the future so the quicker you get into it the better! 

Hope this helps Tony and all the best!

Hi Tony
I am in the process of job hunting (from the UK) as I am in the process of getting registered etc with the PGDB so I can finally leave the UK & start a new life in NZ. They have approved me a Provisional License once I secure a job offer. Anyway, I was wondering how you got on in the end as I see your post was a few years ago now? Any tips for me?? Im British Gas trained with 20yrs experience, but without any knowledge of NZ rules & regs,so I cant sit the exams until I get some experience of the NZ way. Ive emailed so many companies Ive lost count! So hopefully you succeeded in getting residency etc & have some tips for me?? Thanks. Gaven.

Hi Badger! Yeh Ive heard all the horror stories too!Im not expecting to get there & be able to do the job straight off. Im wanting to work for someone until Im ready to sit the exams & get qualified so I can work unsupervised. Luckily its just me. No family, & I have been to NZ numerous times so I know what its like there!! Where was your patch mate when you worked for BG & where are you now?

Im well into my application mate. Ive had all the check etc done & been approved so all I need is that job!!!!! CCH wasnt really high on my list of where I wanted to be, to be honest mate but I guess if thats where the work is then I may have to consider it.
Anyway,thanks for the info.(shame you didnt answer all my questions)!!