About us
What we do
As the Registration Authority for Chartered Professional Engineers (CPEng) in New Zealand, we are committed to upholding the standards of professional engineering practice and promoting public safety.
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Under the Chartered Professional Engineers of New Zealand Act 2002 (CPEng Act), we are responsible for the registration and regulation of Chartered Professional Engineers. Our key functions include:​
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Assessing applications: We evaluate applications for CPEng registration to ensure candidates meet the standards set out in the CPEng Rules. We also evaluate applications for assessment of the competency of engineers seeking entry to those grades of Engineering New Zealand membership requiring competence assessment and entry to or retention on registers administered by Engineering New Zealand for which competency assessment is required.
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Maintaining the register: We keep an up-to-date public register of all Chartered Professional Engineers, providing transparency and accountability.
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Compliance and discipline: We enforce the standards of the profession, investigating complaints and taking disciplinary action when necessary.
The CPEng Act and CPEng Rules
The Chartered Professional Engineers of New Zealand Act 2002 (CPEng Act) provides the legislative framework for the registration and regulation of Chartered Professional Engineers. The CPEng Rules outline the specific requirements and processes for achieving and maintaining CPEng status.
Our team
The Regulatory Group at the Registration Authority is comprised of:
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Assessment Team (including the Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Assessment Advisors and Staff Assessors)
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Legal Team (including the Legal Manager and Legal Advisors)
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General Manager.
The Competency Assessment Board (CAB) is comprised of a panel of senior Chartered Professional Engineers responsible for making decisions regarding applications for admission to, or renewal of, competence-based registers overseen and administered by the Registration Authority.
The Competency Assessment Board, through delegated authority from the Governing Board:
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Approves and maintains procedures and processes for assessment of the competency of engineers seeking entry to CPEng.
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Approves recommendations for CPEng in accordance with the CPEng Act and Rules.
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Provides advice to the Standards and Accreditation Board on operational and assessment aspects of standards.
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Provides input to and approves the criteria for selection of assessors and approves the appointment of assessors.
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Moderates between assessments and monitor adherence to proper process and procedures by assessment panels and staff supporting the assessment process.
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Provides guidance to staff and assessors to ensure that any deviation from the relevant Rules or regulations governing assessments is corrected and the likelihood of further deviation is minimised. Ensures correct procedures can processes have been followed for assessment and reconsideration.
Chartered Professional Engineers Board (CPEng Board)
The Chartered Professional Engineers Board (CPEng Board), through delegated authority of the Engineering New Zealand Governing Board, oversees the following functions of the Registration Authority of Chartered Professional Engineers, as outlined in the Chartered Professional Engineers of New Zealand Act 2002 (the Act) and the Chartered Professional Engineers of New Zealand Rules (No 2) 2002 (the Rules):
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registration of Chartered Professional Engineers
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determining standards for CPEng assessments and reassessments
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issuing of practicing certificates
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maintenance of the Register
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Chartered Professional Engineer reassessment processes
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guidance to assist with the interpretation of standards for Chartered Professional Engineer assessments and reassessments (in line with the work of the Standards and Accreditation Board and the Competency Assessment Board)
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review and promotion of professional development for Chartered Professional Engineers
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oversight of Chartered Professional Engineers when their performance or professional conduct is a concern
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the Chartered Professional Engineers complaints and disciplinary processes.
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In addition to the functions above, the CPEng Board will provide oversight to:
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the adequacy of the Rules and procedures, including a regular review of the Rules pertaining to fees
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the Chartered Professional Engineers Project, a project initiated by the Engineering New Zealand Governing Board in 2020 to strengthen the Chartered Professional Engineers system
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the financial performance of the Registration Authority
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appointments to the Competency Assessment Board
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reporting to the Chartered Professional Engineers Council.
Chartered Professional Engineers Council (CPEC)​
The Chartered Professional Engineers Council is a statutory body established 1 July 2002 under the Chartered Professional Engineers Act 2002. The Council must be composed of at least six, but no more than eight members including:
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three people nominated by Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau
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one person nominated by the Association of Consulting Engineers of New Zealand
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2–4 people nominated by the Minister
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a Council Chair and a Deputy Chair.
The Council
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reviews and approves any changes to the CPEng Rules relating to minimum standards for assessment and ethical conduct
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hears appeals from decisions of the Registration Authority on disciplinary matters including decisions not to renew the registration of a Chartered Professional Engineer
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reviews and reports to the Minister on the performance of the Registration Authority and The Chartered Professional Engineers Council (CPEC) in exercising their respective functions and powers under the Act