Board Meeting Date

The following Board meeting date is Thursday 13 March 2025.
Registration applications, including work history confirmations, must be received before 13 February 2025 to be considered.
Board meetings are held at approximately 3 monthly 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.

Watercare Compliance Statement

In 2019 REA and REAcap were recognised in the final version of the Watercare Compliance Statement Policy for Producing Water and Wastewater Infrastructure. Read the full story here.