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Manufacturer and retailer notices

Last updated: 28 March 2025

Manufacturers and retailers of new pools must supply notices informing consumers that the pool must have barriers that restrict access by young children.

This applies to pools that can be filled with water to a depth of 400mm or more.

Pool manufacturers and retailers must provide the warning notices with new pools so that consumers:

  • are aware that they need to restrict access to the pool by unsupervised children under five years of age 
  • can access information that explains the requirements for barriers to restrict access to the pool.

The warning notice aims to alert consumers to the pool barrier requirements. It also directs them to information that will help them understand how to use the pool legally and safely. To achieve child safety, it is crucial that people who are purchasing pools understand and comply with the pool safety rules. The young children most at risk of drowning are the children of pool owners and their visitors.

The format of the warning notice is approved by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and is published in the New Zealand Gazette. This provides information on:

  • the wording that must be used
  • fonts, colours and the size and spacing of the text
  • where the notice must be displayed.

This is to provide clarity and certainty about the content that is required for the warning notices, and help manufacturers and retailers comply with their duties under the Building Act 2004.

Approved Building (Pool Manufacturers and Retailers) Notices

There are currently two warning notices that are approved for use: 

  • the Building (Pool Manufacturers and Retailers) Notice 2017 commenced in September 2017 and may be used until 28 September 2026
  • the Building (Pool Manufacturers and Retailers) Notice 2025 commenced in March 2025.

A period of 18 months is provided from the date for commencement of the 2025 warning notice on 28 March 2025, to the revocation of the 2017 notice on 28 September 2026.

During this time both versions of the notice will be approved, providing manufacturers and retailers time to make necessary changes and enabling use of the 2025 notice where possible. On 28 September 2026 the 2017 notice will be revoked and after that date pool manufacturers and retailers must use the 2025 notice.

Read the requirements for the approved format of the Building (Pool Manufacturers and Retailers) Notices in the New Zealand Gazette:

MBIE has created a factsheet that shows how the 2025 warning notice should be set out to support manufacturers and retailers.

Factsheet for the Building (Pool Manufacturers and Retailers) Notice 2025 [PDF 446KB]

Changes to the warning notice

Since the Building (Pool Manufacturers and Retailers) Notice 2017 warning notice was published, MBIE received feedback that changes were needed to improve its’ effectiveness in making consumers aware of requirements for barriers to residential pools.

In March 2025 MBIE made changes to the warning notice to support improved safety of young children around residential pools. A new Building (Pool Manufacturers and Retailers) Notice 2025 was approved by Gazette notice on 28 March 2025.

The changes to the warning notice are intended to:

  • improve clarity of the written text by changing the wording of the notice 
  • clearly state the drowning risks to young children posed by pools
  • require the warning notice to be displayed on any webpage selling a pool or small heated pool where the product is advertised, sold and shipped within Aotearoa New Zealand.

Restricting access to residential pools has further information.

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This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people: