New Zealand CPEng Code of Ethical Conduct

To Engineering New Zealand, engineering ethics and professionalism are serious matters. So, if you are aiming for CPEng status in New Zealand, you must become familiar with this fact.

The authority holds engineering professionals accountable for their work on behalf of the New Zealand public. Its ethics are based on professional competence, personal integrity, and social responsibility. Becoming a Member of Engineering New Zealand means you are subject to the Code and commit to it each year.

Engineering New Zealand’s Code of Ethical Conduct sketches the high standards of ethical behavior. So, if you become a Chartered Professional Engineer in New Zealand, then you will be expected to behave ethically in your professional life.

The following things are expected from a CPEng in New Zealand:

1.   Make prudent steps to safeguard health and safety

2.   Pay heed to the effects on the environment

3.   Act competently and wisely

4.   Behave appropriately

5.   Report adverse consequences

6.   Report a breach of the Code

7.   Maintain confidentiality

8.   Inform others about the consequences if not following some advice

Every Engineering New Zealand member is subject to the Code.

CPEng eligibility criteria:

To attain a Chartership in New Zealand, you need to:

·        Possess a Washington Accord-accredited qualification (Bachelor of Engineering, Honours) or be capable of the demonstration of equivalent knowledge.

·        Go through an assessment to show that you fulfill the competence standards.

·        Adhere to the CPEng Code of Ethical Conduct.

·        Have reassessment at a minimum of every 6 years for the maintenance of your CPEng registration.

To be kept in mind: it’s not mandatory for you to be a member of Engineering New Zealand to apply for the CPEng status.

Annual fees and charges (excluding GST):

First-time assessment: $1,565.00 ($1,215.00 with mutual recognition)

Comparable knowledge assessment: $1,175.00 (if not having a Washington Accord qualification)

Yearly fee: $460.00

How to apply for the CPEng credential?

You can apply for becoming a CPEng using Engineering New Zealand’s member area online. Its members already have access. In case of not an Engineering New Zealand member, sign up to access its online area and set your goal. After that, the authority will be able to recommend the next step for you to attain your Chartership goal.

Assessment:

Before the formal submission of your application, the authority will ask you to give your draft application to a member of its assessment team to check.

It’s a very important step, as it will provide you with feedback on ways you could enhance the quality of your application. That will, in turn, increase the chances of the success of your application.

When you have submitted your application online, a panel of your peers will:

1.   Evaluate your application against global competency standards

2.   Fix a meeting with you

3.   May ask you for more information

4.   Receive feedback from your referees

5.   Write a report including recommendations to the Chartered Professional Engineers Council (CPEC).