Moving to New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It’s not just a great place to live, it’s a great place to work. There are so many reasons to work as an engineer in New Zealand.
The immigration process
If you're thinking about moving to New Zealand, the Immigration New Zealand website is the best place to start. There you’ll find information about:
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types of visas and how to apply
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skill shortages and occupations in demand
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moving to and settling in New Zealand.
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We can't help you with immigration advice but we can connect you with engineers who have experienced immigrating to New Zealand.
Get your credentials checked
We can check if your overseas engineering qualifications are recognised in New Zealand. You may need this for:
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Immigration New Zealand visa application
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Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) registration assessment
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a potential employer or education provider.
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We’ll assess if you have a Washington, Sydney or Dublin Accord-accredited qualification or recognised equivalent.
Find out more about the international engineering Educational Accords
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Need a letter for your visa application?
Immigration New Zealand may ask you to provide a letter from us certifying that you meet the benchmark requirements for Chartered Professional Engineer status in New Zealand. The benchmark is a Washington Accord-accredited qualification or equivalent knowledge. To get a letter, we’ll need to check your credentials.
You may also need your qualification assessed against the New Zealand Qualifications Framework to determine the level. This service is provided by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
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Need an equivalent knowledge assessment?
If your qualification assessment with us finds that you don’t have a Washington Accord-accredited qualification or recognised equivalent, and you need a letter for your visa application, you can choose to complete our equivalent knowledge assessment.
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This is where you can demonstrate Washington Accord equivalent knowledge using evidence from your academic study, further learning and work experience.
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If your knowledge assessment finds that you have Washington Accord equivalent knowledge, you’ll get a letter certifying that you meet the benchmark requirements for Chartered Professional Engineer status in New Zealand.
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Our knowledge assessment fee is NZD$1,351.25 including GST. It takes 6–8 weeks to process.
Apply for registration
Registration as an engineer in New Zealand is different compared to some other countries. You don’t have to be registered to work here as an engineer, but some job types will require it. To become registered as a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) you need to have your competence assessed against an internationally recognised standard. For this you need to show evidence of New Zealand-specific knowledge.
Electrical engineers
To work in New Zealand as an electrical engineer, you may need to gain New Zealand registration and a practising licence with the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB).
Join as an Engineering New Zealand member
You can become a member of Engineering New Zealand – this is separate from being registered as a Chartered Professional Engineer. You don’t need New Zealand-specific experience to join either. It’s a great way to learn about and get connected with the engineering profession in New Zealand. You’ll be joining a community of over 22,000 engineers who share knowledge, collaborate, and support each other.
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Technical groups
Engineering New Zealand also has a range of technical groups you can join, where like-minded experts share technical experience in the New Zealand context.
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Special Interest Group for Immigrant Engineers (SIGIE)
​SIGIE is Engineering New Zealand's professional group designed to support immigrant engineers.
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If you'd like to learn more about joining SIGIE, you can contact the group chair by emailing us or apply online
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Find a job
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We don’t employ engineers and can’t help you get a job, but we can point you in the right direction. Engineering New Zealand works with some of the top recruitment agencies who advertise engineering roles. If you become a member of Engineering New Zealand, it’ll open doors into New Zealand’s engineering profession – you’ll have opportunities to network and see the latest jobs advertised in our member exclusive emails.​
Mutual recognition
If you are currently registered as a Chartered Engineer with a professional body we recognise and wish to register as a Chartered Professional Engineer, you may be eligible to apply through the expedited Mutual Recognition Assessment pathway. ​
You must be able to demonstrate how you comprehend and apply your knowledge of accepted principles underpinning good practice for professional engineering that is specific to New Zealand. Please read through the guidance document for more information.
