New Zealand CPEng Registration Authority

 If you attain the status of CPEng in New Zealand, you will be considered an experienced engineering professional who has been evaluated as fulfilling a quality mark of excellence. This designation will be evidence that you can deal with complex engineering issues that can be solved only with expert technical knowledge. You need to be reassessed at least every six years for the maintenance of your Chartered status.

Although a CPEng designation holder has to demonstrate New Zealand-specific technical experience, this designation is a competency mark with global recognition.

The title of a Chartered Professional Engineer is a protected title, and if you hold this credential registered with the Registration Authority for Chartered Professional Engineers (you will read below about it), and must stick to a Code of Ethical Conduct.

Over the past few years, the Government of the country has been working on potential changes to the way of engineering regulation. In March 2022, Cabinet agreed to a new licensing regime for engineers doing safety-critical work, but it will take some years to be in operation completely.

In the meantime, those engineering professionals who think that they may want to become Chartered Professional Engineers should apply for assessment, even if they might need to be licensed in the future.

 

Registration Authority of CPEng status:

Engineering New Zealand is the Registration Authority as per the Chartered Professional Engineers New Zealand Act 2002. In other words, it maintains the Register of Chartered Professional Engineers and manages assessments and applications.

 

Chartered Professional Engineers Council (CPEC):

The Chartered Professional Engineers Council is a statutory organization that was established on 1, July 2002 under the Chartered Professional Engineers Act 2002. It has to be composed of a minimum of six, but no more than eight members. These members must consist of:

1.   Three people who are nominated by Engineering New Zealand

2.   2 to 4 people who are nominated by the Minister

3.   A Council Chairman and a Deputy Chairman.

4.   One person who is nominated by the Association of Consulting Engineers of New Zealand.

The Council:

The Council approves and reviews any changes to the CPEng Rules that are related to minimum standards for the assessment and ethical conduct.

It hears appeals from decisions of the Registration Authority on disciplinary issues including decisions not to renew the registration of a Chartered Professional Engineer.

It also reviews and reports to the Minister about the performance of the Registration Authority and The Chartered Professional Engineers Council (CPEC) in using their respective functions and powers as per the Act.

 

Code of Conduct:

Engineering New Zealand’s Code of Ethical Conduct outlines the high standards of ethical behaviour that are expected from a member of Engineering New Zealand. They are below:

·        Take wise and reasonable steps to safeguard safety and health

·        Have regard to implications on the environment

·        Act with competency

·        Behave in an appropriate way

·        Report a breach of the Code

·        Report adverse consequences

·        Maintain confidentiality

·        Inform others of the consequences of not sticking to the advice

An Engineering New Zealand member is subject to the Code.

An engineer who is registered with the CPEng credential is also subject to a separate but identical Code. This code doesn’t apply to an engineer who is not a member of Engineering New Zealand or a Chartered Professional Engineering professional.