A New Zealand builder was fined $10,000 for forging documents and working without a license.

Lucy Walsh, a Central Otago builder, was fined $10,000 in Alexandra District Court for forgery and performing restricted building work while her licence was suspended. She falsely used her employer’s practitioner number and electronic signature to declare herself licensed, despite her licence being suspended since September 2021 due to non-compliance. Walsh carried out design and construction work on a dwelling without supervision, and her employer confirmed it had no knowledge of or authorization for the project. Authorities emphasized the breach of professional trust and urged homeowners to verify contractors’ licensing status through the public register.