The Engineering Associates Act and
The Engineering Associates Board

The Engineering Associates Act was passed by the New Zealand Parliament in 1961 becoming effective from 1 April 1962. The registration provides statutory recognition of suitably qualified individuals in the technician group employed in the engineering sector.

To undertake the task of registering suitably qualified and experienced technician group persons, the Act established the Engineering Associates Registration Board.

This Board consists of a Chairman and two other members appointed directly by the Minister, and other members nominated by some of the technical engineering associations recognised under the Act.

Associations specified in the Act are:

• Design Association of NZ
• Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers NZ
• Institute of Measurement and Control NZ
• NZ Electrical Institute
• NZ Electronics Institute
• NZ Institute of Engineering Sciences
• NZ Institute of Gas Engineers
• NZ Institute of Health Estate and Engineering Management
• NZ Institute of Marine and Power Engineers
• NZ Institute of Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers
• NZ Institute of Welding (Deregistered)
• Society of Automotive Engineers (Australasia) (Deregistered)
• Society of Licensed Aircraft Engineers and Technologists

The Act provides for the registration of individuals, and membership of one of these associations is not compulsory. There are many REAs who are not members of these associations, particularly in the local and national government sectors.

A Registrar is appointed by the Board to maintain the Register and to carry out the Board's operational functions.

Members of the Engineering Associates Registration Board oversee the administration of the Act.

Their role includes:

• Determining acceptable standards of academic and technical training, experience, responsibility and appropriate technical qualifications necessary for registration.
   
• Confirming an applicant's eligibility for registration.
   
• Supervising the maintenance of the Register of registered persons, the issuance of registration certificates and other records.

The Board considers that it has a responsibility to ensure that registration continues to have meaning and value and that it gives an assurance that a registered person has sound technical knowledge and experience and is capable of carrying considerable responsibility. The Board firmly guards and maintains these standards on behalf of the engineering industry and the public.