Registered Engineering Associate
REA

Search List of Current Registered Engineering Associates

List last updated 3 October 2024
The List of REAs is updated at approximately 3 monthly intervals. Those initially registered or restored to the register after the date shown will not appear on the list until the next update.
The results list shows current REAs.
An REA who also holds REAcap is listed with a REAcap number and an expiry date.

To obtain further Register information, please contact the Registrar,
email: registrar@engineering-associates.org.nz or phone +64 4 472 3324

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Introduction

REAcap is a voluntary Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program for REAs, but there are upcoming changes to make CPD mandatory as part of a new regulatory regime projected by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Although the timeline for this new regime is uncertain, it could begin as early as 2026. Current REAs are advised to apply for REAcap before these changes take effect, as those who do may be "grand parented" into the new system and could avoid the initial mandatory CPD requirements.

Candidates submit their education record and experience to the EARB which assesses whether candidates are sufficiently competent to be registered as an REA under the Act.

REAs need to maintain their technical competence and are up-to-date to assure the public and the industries in which they work.

The recognition of current competency has become an essential element of contemporary occupational registration systems. Regular re-assessment of an individual’s competency is necessary to assure the public that a particular REA has remained up-to-date and technically competent. The Board has a voluntary scheme to provide that ongoing assurance of competency for REAs. There is not yet a legal basis for this in the Engineering Associates Act; hence the voluntary element to this scheme.

The REAcap Scheme

REAcap (pronounced recap, ie REA competency assessed practitioner)

EARB operates a voluntary scheme to all REAs, on a four-yearly cycle.

The REAcap scheme checks an REA's knowledge, academic qualifications, engineering experience and reviews the REA's responsibilities. This way, it re-validates competence and also confirms that an REA is operating within the Code of Ethics After validation, EARB issues the REA with a Certificate of current competence.

REAcap Validation Requirements

REA Promotional Brochure

REA is awarded under the Engineering Associates Act. The Act requires REAs to have demonstrated a superior standard of engineering competence in the branch of engineering in which they are experienced.
Registered Engineering Associates are highly valued within the engineering workforce. There are many thousands of REAs working in management and technical engineering supervisory roles within the New Zealand economy. Many of these technical engineers are involved in the export of products and services that are essential for the maintenance of New Zealand’s competitive advantage.

• REA Promotional Brochure

Board Meeting Date

The following Board meeting date is Thursday 5 December 2024.
Registration applications, including work history confirmations and full payment of the application fee must be received before 5 November 2024 to be considered.
Board meetings are held at approximately 3 month intervals.

REA Recognised by Immigration NZ

In July 2023, Immigration New Zealand included REA as a recognised qualification in a revised skilled migrant category in Amendment Circular 19. The new category was introduced in November 2023 with REA qualifying for the full quota of 6 Skilled Migrant Points. Additional points can also be claimed for skilled work experience in New Zealand.
Filling engineering technician vacancies with migrants is an astute way to recruit staff especially where there are specialist skills shortages. Please bring this to the attention of your employer if you are in a management role or in a position of influence.

Occupational Regulation for Engineers

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment published Cabinet’s decisions on the proposed occupational regulatory regime for engineers on 31 March 2022. The Cabinet paper contains several references to REAs. A summary report, links to the Cabinet paper, MBIE’s announcement and further information on the Engineering NZ website are available here.

International Qualifications

The NZ Qualifications Authority process for the recognition of international qualifications is listed in the Other Links section.

Workforce Development Councils

Ohu Ahumahi Workforce Development Councils were established in 2022. They work with the 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics and 9 Industry Training Organisations that constitute Te Pukenga NZ Institute of Skills and Technology. WDCs cover a broad number of sectors and industries. Several WDCs cover engineering with the principals being Hanga-Aro-Rau Manufacturing, Engineering and Logistics WDC, Waihanga Ara Rau Construction & Infrastructure WDC and Toi Mai which is the WDC covering the creative, recreation and technology sectors. Refer “Useful Links” section.

REA Registration

The REA Information & Guidelines for Applicants pack has been revised and updated. It includes a sample of the new writable PDF application form. The application form (EARB Form 1) and work history form (EARB Form 1B) are available on the How to Apply page.

Acceptable Qualifications Under Clause (b)

A list of academic qualifications accepted by the Board under Section 11(1)(b) of the Engineering Associates Act 1961 is now available on the How to Apply – Application Process page.

• Read more

The Board is looking for a new Registrar on a permanent part-time basis located in Wellington, New Zealand
(some hybrid working available).

Refer to links below for further details.

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Job Description

Person Specification

Associations Recognised Under the EA Act 1961

• Design Association of NZ
• Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers NZ
• NZ Electronics Institute
• NZ Institute of Gas Engineers Inc
  Honorary Secretary/Treasurer, c/- Power Co Ltd, PO Box 62, Wellington 6140
  secretary@nzige.org.nz
• NZ Institute of Healthcare Engineering Inc
• NZ Institute of Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers
• Survey and Spatial NZ

Other Links

• Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Building Performance
• ASTTBC (Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia)
• Vocational Engineering Education NZ, the controlling authority for the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering and the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Practice

The EA Act 1961

• Engineering Associates Act 1961

Complaints and Appeals

NZ Qualifications Authority

• International Qualifications

Engineering New Zealand

• Accredited Engineering Qualifications

Workforce Development Councils

• Workforce Development Councils
• Hanga-Aro-Rau Manufacturing, Engineering and Logistics WDC
• Waihanga Ara Rau Construction & Infrastructure WDC
• Toi Mai