Builder loses licence

An Auckland builder who lied about being a Master Builder and left work incomplete for two years has had his licence revoked. In 2016 Ioane Ngaata undertook extension work that was not lawfully followed and remained unfinished. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s registrar of building practitioner licensing, Paul Hobbs, said Ngaata made unethical financial gain by invoicing the homeowner, and being paid $235,000. ‘‘He had also provided the homeowner with evidence that he was a member of Master Builders, despite having been refused membership twice by the organisation.’’ Ngaata has been ordered to pay $3000, and will not be able to apply to be relicensed for a period of 12 months.