In New Zealand, a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) is an experienced engineer who has been evaluated as fulfilling a quality mark of competency. This status shows that the engineer is capable of dealing with complex engineering solutions that require expert technical knowledge. The engineer with this title must be reassessed at least every six years for the maintenance of this status.

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

The CPEng title is a protected title, and if you hold this title registered with the Registration Authority for Chartered Professional Engineers have to stick to a Code of Ethical Conduct (see below).

Over the past few years, the New Zealand Government has been working on potential changes to the way engineering is regulated in the country. In March 2022, Cabinet agreed to a new licensing system for those engineering professionals who are involved in safety-critical work. However, it will take some years to be in operation.

Ethical Code of Conduct:

Engineering New Zealand finds ethics and professionalism a very serious matter. This organization holds its engineers responsible for their work on behalf of the New Zealand public. Its ethics are on the basis of professional competence, personal integrity, and social responsibility. If you are a member of Engineering New Zealand, then you are subject to the Code and commit to it each year.

Its Code of Ethical Conduct outlines the high standards of ethical behavior that are expected from every member of Engineering New Zealand. Let’s know them:

• They must take reasonable steps to safeguard health and safety
• Report adverse consequences
• Behave appropriately
• Have regard to effects on the environment
• Act competently
• Report a breach of the Code
• Maintain confidentiality
• Tell others of the consequences that may come up if given advice is not followed.

All Engineering New Zealand members are subject to the Code. An engineer who is registered as a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng NZ) is also subject to a separate but identical Code. The Code is not for the engineer who is not a member of Engineering New Zealand or a Chartered Professional Engineer (Chartered Engineer NZ).