Fifth School of Architecture in New Zealand gains accreditation17 June 2025

At its meeting on 10 June 2025, the New Zealand Registered Architects Board approved the accreditation of Te Kura Matatini ki Otago, Otago Polytechnic’s School of Architecture, Master of Architecture (Professional) programme. The accreditation is for an initial period of three years through until December 2028.

The qualification will be added to the List of Accredited Architecture Qualifications maintained by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia from whom the Board licenses an agreement to accredit the MArch(Prof) programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Having an accredited qualification is a requirement for the primary pathway to registration as a NZ-registered architect.

Otago Polytechnic becomes the fifth school of architecture in New Zealand to gain accreditation, and joins the University of Auckland, Unitec Institute of Technology, Victoria University of Wellington, and AUT as the country’s five accredited architecture schools.

As the only accredited architecture school currently located in Te Waipounamu, the South Island of New Zealand, Otago Polytechnic says the recognition helps expand equitable access to architectural education and strengthens the profession through a diversity of regional voices.

Head of Architecture, Associate Professor Tobias Danielmeier, says the Otago programme represents a bold southern contribution to architectural education, being tectonically focused, place-relevant, as well as culturally grounded.

“Rooted in Ōtepoti Dunedin, the southernmost school is a champion for place-based architecture. We are committed to equipping graduates with not just design capabilities, but with the tools, technical knowledge, and ethical grounding to shape meaningful futures.”

The two-year Master’s programme at Otago places strong emphasis on Mātauranga Māori, environmental responsibility, and industry-engaged learning.

The Board wishes to congratulate the school on their achievement and looks forward to hearing more about the architecture programme’s strengths and future potential.

A joint release between NZRAB and OP.

New NZRAB Board Chair Appointed6 June 2025

Craig O’Connell has been appointed by Minister Penk as the new Board Chair for the New Zealand Registered Architects Board. His appointment was effective from 29 May 2025. Craig has over 30 years’ experience working with Boards on strategy development. His governance experience began 25 years ago in the private sector, and extended into local government and crown entities 15 years ago. He spent 9 years on the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board ending there as Chair, and 9 years with the Master Electricians Board. More recently, he was appointed to the Skills Group Board — New Zealand’s largest private training enterprise.

The Board wishes to acknowledge and thank Tony Orgias for his leadership and service while acting in the Board Chair role since November 2024.

Annual Certificate of Registration27 May 2025

From the Chief Executive

Tēnā koutou katoa,

This month you will have received an invoice for your Annual Certificate of Registration (ACR). As you may be aware, it has been five years since the last review of ACR fees. Over that time, the cost of delivering our regulatory services has increased significantly.

The Registered Architects Act 2005 and Registered Architects Rules 2006 describe the purpose for establishing the New Zealand Registered Architects Board as well as formally prescribing the fees we can charge. Under legislation, our charges must be reasonable and for the purpose of cost recovery only. As we have no other income source, we must maintain fees, which ensure our organisation has ongoing financial sustainability.

The current NZRAB practice is to set fees that:
• subsidise initial registration to encourage graduates (and others) to become registered;
• subsidise initial registration by using the ongoing revenue ACRs provide over the professional life of the architect;
• include the costs of Continuing Registration Competency Reviews (CRCR) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in the ACR fee.

Following consultation with registered architects and other stakeholders last year, Hon Chris Penk, the Minister for Building and Construction, approved an increase to fees payable effective from 1 July 2025. We realise this coincides with many architects and New Zealanders experiencing considerable financial pressure, and we do not take this decision lightly.

The New Zealand Registered Architects Board exists to protect the public by ensuring architects meet expected professional standards. Payment of your ACR fee allows you to legally use the titles, “architect” and “registered architect” and enables NZRAB to monitor professional competence, handle complaints and, where required, discipline those who are found to have acted against professional standards.

Registration protects the professional credibility of all architects, and we appreciate your continued commitment to this valuable profession.

Ngā mihi nui,

Judith Taylor
Chief Executive Officer

Schedule NZ Stakeholder Feedback24 May 2025

The NZRAB is seeking stakeholder feedback on the Schedule NZ document that is currently being consulted upon. Written submissions should be sent to info@nzrab.org.nz with ‘Schedule NZ’ in the subject line by 1 August 2025. Specifically, submissions should address the proposed performance criteria as outlined in the Schedule NZ document linked here on the NZRAB website.

Building the Future18 April 2025

The New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB), in collaboration with Ngā Aho, is launching consultation meetings to gather feedback on the introduction of new and expanded performance criteria as a benchmark for professional registration. These new standards have a particular focus on Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview) perspectives, Indigenous knowledge and cultural responsiveness, and aim to ensure that architects are able to meet evolving requirements to practise in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The consultation is open to individuals and organisations with an interest in architectural practice and provides a platform for diverse perspectives to shape the future of the profession.

Our consultation includes a series of meetings across the country. An online introduction and briefing session will be held on 28 April, followed by in-person meetings in Auckland on 7 May, Wellington on 4 June, and Christchurch on 10 July. A final online wrap-up session is scheduled for 30 July where we will present next steps on our findings. These meetings will provide opportunities for stakeholders to engage in discussions and share their insights on how the standards should be developed to address emerging challenges, and align with best-practices and professional competencies.

Here is the current 2021 NSCA — Schedule NZ, which provides more information on the NZ-specific competencies, and a briefing paper that explains what we’re trying to achieve.

You can register for these meetings by completing an online form here before 12 noon on Thursday 24 April 2025. Beyond the meetings, stakeholders can also submit written feedback by 1 August 2025 via email to info@nzrab.org.nz. The NZRAB will publish a summary of the feedback gathered on their website, ensuring transparency and keeping you informed about how your input is influencing decisions.

Annual Report for 2023/202414 April 2025

The Hon Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction, has tabled our annual report for 2023/2024 in Parliament. You can read the report here.

The Place for NZ Architects to Learn, Earn and Stay Registered — Automatically2 April 2025

Teulo is one of the go-to destinations for NZ-registered architects to complete their CPD, have it instantly tracked, and see it automatically update to their NZRAB profile. No spreadsheets. No stress. Just seamless, verified learning.

Thanks to a new partnership between Teulo and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB), the days of manually reporting your CPD are over. With direct integration between Teulo’s learning platform and NZRAB’s registration system, architects can now complete CPD-accredited activities and have their learning outcomes instantly logged — saving time, reducing admin, and easing the pressure of Continuing Registration Competency Reviews.

“Using the NZ Registered Architects Board’s CPD portal, architects can see, at a glance, whether they’re meeting the requirements for ongoing registration,” says NZRAB Chief Executive Judith Taylor. “This takes a lot of stress out of the process.”

Actively participating in CPD is the smartest, most efficient way to keep your registration up to date.

To learn more about Teulo’s range of CPD opportunities on offer, contact the team at hello@teulo.co.

Proposed Increase in NZRAB fees3 February 2025

NZRAB is awaiting approval from the Minister for Building and Construction on proposed changes to Registered Architects Rules 2006 Schedule 2 Charges for Services. If approved, the fee increase would come into effect from 1 July 2025.

Consultation with architects and key stakeholders took place over 20 days from 7 October to 1 November 2024, through an online survey. Participants provided feedback about:

— increasing fees for initial registration;
— increasing fees for the Annual Certificate of Registration (ACR);
— increasing fees for other services to ensure costs are recovered;
— introducing new fees for services that we provide, but do not currently charge for.

403 participants completed the online survey. 60% of submitters were registered architects and 35% were architectural graduates. Comments were respectful, considered, and showed deep care for the reputation of the profession. The results of the consultation can be seen here and comments provided by respondents can be seen here.

The outcome of the proposed fee structure will be communicated to all of our stakeholders, including registered architects, in due course. Please keep an eye on the NZRAB website for the fees update.

SPAM Alert21 January 2025

SPAM Alert - This is not from NZRAB or Judith Taylor Acting Chief Executive

2025 Continuing Registration Competency Review CPD tips4 December 2024

Applications for Continuing Registration Competency Reviews are NEARLY due

Applications for Continuing Registration Competency Reviews are due by Thursday 23 January 2025, at the latest.
Instructions are set out below on how to:

• prepare and submit your application
• add continuing professional development (CPD) activities to your record.

How to submit your application

To submit your application, complete the following steps.

1. Download and complete the CRCR assessment form from the continuing registration section of our  website.
2. Download a copy of your full five-year Continuing Professional Development (CPD) record from the CPD portal and compile other relevant professional development activities.
3. Select up to ten pages of plans or drawings that support your application.
4. Save all documentation as one PDF document, which forms your CRCR application pack.
5. Email your application to registration@nzrab.org.nz by the close of business on Thursday 23 January 2025, at the latest.

How to add CPD activities to your record

The cut-off date for adding CPD activities for this review cycle is 31 December 2024.

To add CPD activities, use the quick links section on your dashboard in the CPD portal. As well as traditional workshops, courses, and practice support groups, you can include the following individual activities.

• Reading professional journals
• Books
• Site Safe Certification courses
• Research and site visits
• Movies and videos
• Published work
• Attending an event
• Presenting at an event
• Teaching and design critiques
• Practice support group
• In-office training group
• Other online learning or self-directed study

Figure 1: Screenshot of the quick link screen to add individual CPD activities

You can add CPD activities after 31 December 2024 for the next review cycle

You can add CPD activities after 31 December 2024, but they will not form part of this review and will not be visible until your review is complete.

Email any questions about your CPD record to the CPD Administrator at cpd@nzrab.org.nz.

How to download a copy of your CPD record

To download your CPD learning history, go to your home page dashboard in the CPD portal and click on the link highlighted below.

Figure 2: Screenshot of download link on the home page dashboard

You’ll need to provide more information about PSG and IOT modules

If your CPD activity relates to the Practice Support Group (PSG) and In-Office Training Group (IOT) modules, include any meeting minutes or a short description of the learning topic. Include this information for no more than ten recent PSG and IOT meetings. Check with your group coordinator about providing meeting minutes as confidential information may be included in the record.
Email any questions about continuing registration to registration@nzrab.org.nz.

NZRAB Board Chair recruitment process18 November 2024

The Minister for Building and Construction has commenced a recruitment process for the appointment of a new NZRAB Board Chair. The role will be advertised for two weeks, closing on Sunday 8 December at midnight. Here is the link to the application page for the Board Chair's role. Please note that the full position description is linked at the bottom of the application page. If you have any follow-up questions, please reach out to board.appointments@mbie.govt.nz.

Temporary Board Chair and Deputy Chair appointed11 November 2024

The Hon Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction, has approved the temporary appointment of Tony Orgias as Acting Board Chair, and Judith Corbelletto-Thompson as Acting Deputy Chair. Please join us in congratulating Tony and Judith in their temporary appointments.

Board Chair, Gina Jones, steps down 30 October 2024

Board Chair, Gina Jones, has resigned with immediate effect. Gina joined the Board in 2017 and has chaired since 2018. She’s stepping down for medical reasons. 

Gina has led the Board through significant change and improvements during her six-years as Chair. Under her leadership, the Board signed a mutual recognition agreement between New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom, allowing architects to be more easily registered in each country. Similar arrangements are in place for architects from the United States and Singapore.

Board achievements under her leadership also include:

An informal disputes resolution service 

Investigating Panels acting under the Board’s delegated authority for Complaints

A reduction in the number of Disciplinary Hearings

Efficiencies in recovering the costs of inquiries and disciplinary procedures 

A focus on values, accessibility, and quality decision-making 

Modernising processes 

Working towards a fair, sustainable fee structure 

Making submissions on architecture and building practice in New Zealand

The Board is grateful for Gina’s strategic and values-based leadership and her lifetime commitment to excellent architecture practice. We wish her all the very best for her recovery.

MBIE will commence recruitment for a new NZRAB Board Chair.

2025 Application Closing Dates18 October 2024

The application closing dates for 2025 are available on the Initial Registration pages of the NZRAB website. Please note these dates carefully.

NZRAB Fees Consultation and Survey 202410 October 2024

It is five years since NZRAB consulted stakeholders about our fees.

To ensure NZRAB remains financially sustainable, fees need to increase.

NZRAB is seeking your views here on how we should structure our fee increase.

You can read more about the fees consultation document here.

This fee consultation will close on 11 November 2024.

If you have questions, please email info@nzrab.org.nz before 31 October 2024.

We will publish any questions with responses on the news feed of the website from 4 November 2024.

NZRAB Newsletter Bulletin 2024 Issue no. 34 October 2024

We have published our latest newsletter, which includes:

— protection of title updates
— new trilateral recognition agreement
— two new advisory notes
— NZRAB Board’s submission to MBIE on ‘granny flats’

You can read it here.

Annual Report for 2022/202320 September 2024

The Rt Hon Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction, has tabled our annual report for 2022/2023 in Parliament, which was published on 1 July 2024. You can read the report here.

Making it easier to build granny flats (2024)16 September 2024

The NZRAB has provided the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Ministry for the Environment (MFE)  with a submission in response to their document seeking feedback on options to make it easier to build small, self-contained and detached houses, commonly known as ‘granny flats’ on property with an existing home on it. You can read our submission here.

New Advisory Notes published13 September 2024

The New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) has released two new Advisory Notes to support architects in upholding professional standards. These notes provide valuable insights into the expectations of a competent architect working within the Code of Minimum Standards of Ethical Conduct for Registered Architects (Code of Ethics).

The new Advisory Notes are available through the following links:

Advisory Note 16: Learnings from a complaint case—Clear agreements, defined roles, and transparent billing

Advisory Note 17: Learnings from a complaint case—Building work without consent and reporting failures

Trilateral agreement signed between NCARB, AACA and NZRAB26 August 2024

New agreement opens doors to international practice for New Zealand architects

Registered architects from Australia, the USA and New Zealand will be able to work internationally more easily following the signing of a significant trilateral agreement.

Leaders of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA), USA National Council of Architect Registration Boards (NCARB) and New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) on Wednesday 21 August 2024 signed a new Mutual Recognition Agreement at an event in the Beehive, Wellington, hosted by the Hon Chris Penk, Minister of Building and Construction.

NZRAB Board Chair Gina Jones said the New Zealand Registered Architects Board is very supportive of establishing mutual recognition agreements, for the opportunity they give New Zealand architects to work internationally, and for those international architects wishing to live and practice in New Zealand.

“As a small nation, New Zealand is enriched by the flow of people and experience. It benefits New Zealanders to travel and work internationally, and New Zealand benefits by people from other countries bringing their knowledge, insights and learnings to our country” she said.

The new Mutual Recognition Agreement builds on an existing mutual recognition arrangement with the United States.

The current requirement to work 6,000-hours following initial registration as an architect will be removed, allowing a newly registered architect in either country to apply. Changes such as the removal of a requirement to hold one of the three national passports, expanded eligibility qualifications, and streamlined data laws are expected to boost the number of U.S. states that participate in this agreement compared to the previous one.

In Australia, New Zealand and most U.S. states there are no additional tests or examinations following successfully completing the MRA, however some U.S. states may have additional requirements.

Registered architects from the three countries can apply for fast-tracked cross-border recognition of their qualifications from 6 November 2024.

NCARB President Ken Van Tine said the new agreement would provide more opportunities, more efficiently, between the three nations.

“The new agreement marks a significant step forward in international practice. By streamlining the reciprocity process, we're empowering architects from different backgrounds to bring their expertise to a global market, while maintaining the high standards required for competent practice in order to protect the public.”

AACA Chief Executive Officer Kathlyn Loseby said the removal of the 6,000-hour work rule (approximately 3 years) reflected a commitment to supporting international mobility.
“Our mutual recognition programmes are helping local architects to go global,” she said. “We’ve already seen the success of our United Kingdom agreement, with more architects moving both ways across borders.”

“This new agreement will make sure our high standards are maintained but also reduce the paperwork burden for individuals.”

There are mutual recognition agreements in place between New Zealand and Australia, the United Kingdom, USA, Singapore, Japan, and Canada.

For all enquiries about the MRA, please contact NZRAB at info@nzrab.org.nz.

For more information about the Mutual Recognition Agreement between Australia, the United States of America and New Zealand please visit the AACA website at www.aaca.org.au or the NCARB at www.ncarb.org.

Annual Certificates of Registration12 August 2024

ACRs coming soon — make sure your postal address is up-to-date to ensure delivery

Thank you for your patience while our finance team are processing the many ACR invoice payments received. The NZRAB plans to issue the printed ACR certificates later this month. These certificates are being printed by an external provider and will be sent by post to the address listed in your database file. If your postal details are incorrect or need updating, please contact us at info@nzrab.org.nz.

2024 Application Closing Dates12 January 2024

The application closing dates for 2024 are available on the Initial Registration pages of the NZRAB website. Please note these dates carefully.

NZRAB Newsletter for June 202316 June 2023

We have published our latest newsletter, which includes:

— New Board appointments

— UK mutual recognition agreement

— Continuing professional development

— Pathway 1 (Round 2) deferral

You can read it here.

New Advisory Note published26 April 2023

The New Zealand Registered Architects Board / Te Poari Kaihoahoa Ngaio Rēhita o Aotearoa (NZRAB) has just published a new Advisory Note on the importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

The NZRAB issues Cautionary or Advisory Notes as part of its role to set and maintain the standards for the profession. These Notes represent shared learnings about the standard expected of a competent Architect, who is working within the Code of Minimum Standards of Ethical Conduct for Registered Architects (the Code of Ethics), and are intended to aid the profession in maintaining the standards in the current practising environment.

The new Advisory Note can be viewed via the following link Advisory Note 15: The Importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

NZRAB submission to MBIE on occupational regulation21 April 2023

The NZRAB has provided the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) with a submission in response to the consultation on occupational regulation in the building and construction sector.  You can read our submission here.