Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau (ENZ; previously the New Zealand Institution of Engineers – NZIE and then Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand – IPENZ) is a not-for-profit professional body that promotes the integrity and interests of members, the profession, and the industry. It seeks to "bring engineering to life" and has more than 22,000 members.[3]
The organisation's strategy is to deliver greater credibility, recognition, influence and connection for members. It promotes engineering as a career and advocates on behalf of members. Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau sets standards and performs assessments that meet international standards for Chartered Memberships and Registrations for Chartered Professional Engineers. Regional branches run networking events, while technical groups help members stay up-to-date on specific areas of expertise. Members can access continuing professional development and gain experience as volunteers by serving on committees and other bodies.
All members of Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau commit every year to follow the organisation's Code of Ethical Conduct, and to carrying out continuing professional development.
Organisation structure
Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau is governed by an elected board, chaired by the president. This board sets strategy and employs the chief executive, who manages operational activity in line with this strategy. The Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau office is based in Wellington. Members can belong to regional branches and also be part of technical groups that focus on specific expertise. These groups are chaired by volunteers.
The first professional engineering body in New Zealand, the Institute of Local Government Engineers of New Zealand, was formed in 1912. The following year the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers was formed. The two bodies merged in 1914 and were known under the later name until 1937.[5]
The organisation changed its name to The New Zealand Institution of Engineers in 1937.[6] In 1959 the Association of Consulting Engineers New Zealand (ACENZ) was created as a consultancy division, and became a separate entity in 1970. The name Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand was adopted in 1982.[6]
In 2017, the organisation changed its name to Engineering New Zealand to reflect a significant shift in strategic direction, which focused on delivering greater credibility, recognition, influence and connection to members.[6]
In 2018, the organisation asked kaumātua and respected linguist Sir Tamati Reedy, of Ngāti Porou descent, to consider how Engineering New Zealand could be best represented in te reo Māori. Sir Tamati took a conceptual approach, seeking a name that was simple and memorable. After careful consideration, he decided on Te Ao Rangahau. He used a wide interpretation of engineering and chose “rangahau” because it encompasses the broad meaning around engineering – to design, create, build, investigate, research and solve. Te Ao means “the universe”.[7]
A Chartered Professional Engineer is a professional engineer who is registered through Engineering New Zealand, as the Registration Authority. To apply, engineers complete an assessment showing they can deal with complex engineering problems that require specialist knowledge. CPEng requires engineers to demonstrate competence in a New Zealand context and is reassessed at least every 6 years.
The Chartered Professional Engineers of New Zealand Act (CPEng Act) was enacted on 1 July 2002 and established Engineering New Zealand as the Registration Authority to assess and then register Chartered Professional Engineers (CPEng).
International registers
Joining an international register means an engineer's competence is recognised to an international standard. It allows greater mobility around the world.
Engineering New Zealand maintains the international engineers' registers within New Zealand as part of the International Engineering Alliance (IEA).
Engineering New Zealand offers 3 international registers:
International Engineering Technician (IntETn) – available in 2018
To be eligible to join an international register, an engineer needs:
To have demonstrated competence in independent practice (as shown by Chartered Membership of Engineering New Zealand in the relevant category)
A Washington, Sydney or Dublin Accord-accredited qualification or an equivalent level of academic achievement
A requisite minimum period in charge of significant engineering work
A requisite minimum period of engineering experience since graduation
Sufficient continuing professional development to maintain the currency of knowledge and skills
Mutualrecognition
New Zealand is a signatory to the Washington Accord, the Sydney Accord, and the Dublin Accord, which recognise (respectively) professional engineering (typically four-year), engineering technology (three-year) and engineering technician (two-year) qualifications between signatories. Engineering New Zealand provides accreditation that allows for international mobility between signatory countries.[9]
Awards
The society elects Fellows, Distinguished Fellows and presents a President's Award annually.[10]
