Road to Chartership: Becoming a Member of Engineering New Zealand

Disclaimer: Please use the table of contents below and feel free to skip to your favorite or interesting part

Introduction*

Having achieved professional engineer status with the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe (ECZ), One will always feel proud of such an accomplishment, But as I look forward to wider international opportunities, I realize that my recognition is limited.

Even if I had joined ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) and done my assessment with them, I would still need an additional year before qualifying for an assessment under mutual recognition agreements with institutions such as, Engineering New Zealand, Engineers Australia or the Engineering Council of the UK.

I have a technologist colleague of mine who followed this path and successfully navigated it, more on that later.

This post is the first in my journey, The Road to Chartership, where I share the process, challenges, and motivations behind my decision to join not only Engineering New Zealand (ENZ) but the Institution of Civil Engineers UK as I wish to gain some experience in the former and as I currently work under the jurisdiction of the latter, however this post will focus on the former.

Why New Zealand?

New Zealand is an exciting destination for engineers, particularly in water and geotechnical engineering; the former which is a field I am now growing passionate about during my career.

Furthermore living on an island in the British Overseas Territories has shaped my perspective on the importance of resilient infrastructure, sustainable water management, and the challenges of resource-limited environments and the beauty of community which is also embodied in New Zealand.

Why Engineering New Zealand?

Becoming a member of ENZ opens doors to international recognition, professional development, and career growth.

For those considering New Zealand as a work destination, ENZ membership strengthens migration applications. It also marks a critical step toward chartership, aligning you with a globally respected standard.

The 2 Track Goal – What to Focus on?

Before getting started on this journey I believe you should have 2 goals, which I also had when I started:

1. Meeting Migration Requirements: Membership with ENZ demonstrates your qualifications and experience, which can bolster your application for migration to New Zealand as they require a letter from ENZ to validate that you are actually an engineer.
2. Attaining Chartership: ENZ membership is the first step toward earning chartered professional engineer (CPEng) status, a globally respected credential.

Now to set the record straight I started this journey the same time I started my journey for Professional Registration with ECZ, however since I am still on it and have made some strides that is why I am sharing so that I can make the road easier for those who follow.

Step by Step Guide to Become a Member of Engineering New Zealand

Tahi (1) – Sign Up for an ENZ Account

Start by creating an account on the ENZ website. It’s simple and gives you access to the tools and resources you’ll need.

You will be requested to pay a membership access fee of $475 NZD which translates to about $290 USD or £230 GBP if you are in New Zealand but if you are overseas like me at the point of registration, your fee is actually less at just $355 NZD which came down to £170 for me.

But hold up, even if you pay the money you will not be recognized as a member yet, you still need to go through the next steps because your qualifications are not from a Washington Accord Signatory.

I will do an article to explain these accords for you as if you are a ten year old in an upcoming article.

Rua (2) – Do a Qualifications Assessment

After creating and paying for the subscriptions you will have access to all the perks of being a member but you will not be officially recognized or get the certificate of membership as I have mentioned.

For that you will now have to do a credential check, but that can only be done after a qualifications assessment.

This step is essential to determine if your educational background meets ENZ’s standards.

I went onto the New Zealand Qualifications Assessment Platform, created an account, provided details of my engineering degree and uploaded my documents right on the portal and had my degree evaluated.

I will have an article on how to do this coming up soon.

Toru (3) – Do a Knowledge Assessment

Next, you will need to complete a knowledge assessment.

This involves demonstrating your practical engineering experience and competencies. are on the same level as someone who graduated in New Zealand or a Washington/Dublin/Sydney Accord Institution.

You’ll fill out a detailed form and submit application files outlining your work history, projects you’ve been involved in, and your specific roles and responsibilities and how you applied or showcased your engineering abilities or acumen.

I will create an article on these skills assessments and how you can do yours as well.

Whā (4) – Do a Credential Check

Once you are done with your qualifications assessment and skills assessment you can now validate your membership with ENZ through their Credential Check service. This is a thorough review of all your submitted documents and assessments.

It ensures that everything is in order and meets their rigorous standards. So here you will submit the Qualifications Assessment outcome, your skills assessment outcome and your qualifications.

This will be done right within the ENZ portal itself.

Rima (5) – Receive Your Certificate

Once you pass the credential check, you will be awarded your membership certificate. This official document is a testament to your professional standing and recognition by Engineering New Zealand.

BUT WAIT – does this now mean you are a CPEng …. well sorry to burst your bubble but no… you are still a long way from becoming one, but you have taken the initial steps of becoming one.

Your next step after that will be to do another assessment to move from Member of Engineering New Zealand (MEnz)and become a Chartered Member (CMEnz)and then after that you can move onto becoming a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng).

My Personal Journey

Here is how the timeline played out for me:

• 2 November 2023: Signed Up and Created an ENZ account
• 7 November 2023: Signed up and submitted qualifications for assessment.
• 13 November 2023: Paid membership fees (prorated based on when you join).
• 5 December 2023: Submitted additional information for knowledge/skills assessment.
• 18 December 2023: Qualifications assessment completed.
• 16 January 2024: Knowledge/Skills assessment results received.
• 17 January 2024: Submitted credential check.
• 19 January 2024: Credential check passed.
• 22 January 2024: Received membership certificate dated to be valid from the day I first created my account. (Cool innit)

The entire process took about three months.

Why All This Matters?

Joining ENZ was a strategic decision. It not only supports my long-term goal of attaining chartership but also strengthens my professional credibility on the global stage.

For engineers considering migration or seeking international recognition, this path offers clear advantages.

Final Thoughts

This is just the beginning of The Road to Chartership.

Becoming a member of Engineering New Zealand was a rewarding first step, and I’m excited to share more as I continue this journey.

I am now currently working on my Assessments for Chartered Membership.

Whether you’re looking to meet migration requirements, attain chartership, or simply grow your career, ENZ membership is a solid investment in your future.

Ready to take the next step? Lets navigate this journey together like 2 Jedi Knights scouring through the galaxy on a quest to topple The Republic.

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!