Pathway 4: FOR FORMER NEW ZEALAND REGISTERED ARCHITECTS

For persons who have been a New Zealand Registered Architect before, a simplified application procedure applies. Case studies are NOT required.

Application
To begin the process you need to:

The application form describes:

  • the information and documentation you need to provide
  • the application fee you need to pay and how to pay it
  • how to format and send your application document to NZRAB.

Please follow the application form's instructions carefully.

A registered architect who, for the purpose of obtaining registration, provides orally or in writing makes any declaration or representation knowing it to be false or misleading, or provides any document knowing that it was not genuine, is subject to disciplinary penalties by the NZRAB under section 25 of the Registered Architects Act 2005.

Application close-off dates in 2025 are:

  • Round 1: 13 March 2025, with professional conversations between 1 and 4 April
  • Round 2: 29 May 2025, with professional conversations between 10 and 13 June
  • Round 3: 4 September 2025, with professional conversations between 16 and 19 September

Applications sent in early are appreciated so that we can carry out our preliminary checking processes before close-off date.

Interview
All applicants for registration will be able to indicate a preference for their professional conversation to be via Zoom or face to face. If face to face these will be held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. NZRAB cannot guarantee all applicants will offered their first preference.

The interview is a meeting between you and an Assessment Panel made up of two Registration Assessors, who will be experienced architects. The interview takes approximately two hours.

Recordings of interviews are not permitted however, NZRAB may use the facility in terms of quality assurance and only for review by the Board or Convenors.  If the assessment is to be recorded, all parties will be advised in advance.

The following outlines what the registration assessors will be looking for.

Working in architecture overseas
If you have been working in architecture overseas, the evaluation panel will need to see that your knowledge is still current about aspects of the architectural process that are specific to New Zealand.

Specifically, the registration assessors will want to know how, when designing a complex building in New Zealand, you would:

  • establish an appropriate procurement method and complete contractual arrangements with all participants
  • provide contract administration of a project
  • establish and maintain an architectural practice
  • understand and comply with the applicable New Zealand statutory and regulatory requirements.

In addition, you should provide information on projects you were involved in and professional development that you did while overseas. This should be part of a comprehensive illustrated CV.

The Assessment Panel may also ask theoretical or hypothetical questions and require you to sketch some typical construction details.

Not practising
If you have not been practicing at all for some time, you will need to demonstrate that your architectural skills and knowledge are sufficiently up to date. The fact that you were once a New Zealand Registered Architect will be recognised, but the registration assessors will need to be assured that you are safe to practice now, given the current architectural context. As a starting point, you should provide a CV describing the work you did as an architect.

If you have not been practising architecture for some time, a good option to get your skills and knowledge back up to date may be to undertake supervised work in a New Zealand architectural practice for 6 to 12 months before applying for registration.

Registration decision
After your interview, the Assessment Panel will make a recommendation to the NZRAB Board, based on which the Board will make a decision as to whether you again meet the applicable minimum standard for registration. You will be advised in writing of the Board’s decision.

If you have met the standard, you will receive information about your entitlements and obligations as a Registered Architect and an invoice for your annual Certificate of Registration as a New Zealand Architect. When that invoice is paid, you will be recorded on the New Zealand Architects Register as registered and you will once again be a New Zealand Registered Architect.

If you have NOT met the standard, you will be sent a copy of the registration assessors’ report and recommendation that you be declined. You will also be advised of your right to request a review of the assessment process that was applied to you. A review of the decision itself, i.e. whether or not you met the standard, is not permitted.

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