The New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) is required by statute and regulation to:

  • register architects who have been assessed as competent

  • review each architect's registration every five years

  • maintain a New Zealand Architects Register

  • investigate complaints.
     

Our vision is New Zealand architects equipped to make the best possible contribution to the built environment.
 

New Zealand's architects are professionals that typically have been through a five-year architectural education and have all undergone a rigorous registration procedure. Architects are bound by an architects’ code of ethics, are required to undertake regular professional development activities, and are accountable for their actions to the New Zealand Registered Architects Board.
 

For more information, you can:

 

 

 

FAct sheets and key information

Becoming an Architect
Information for NZ secondary school students on becoming an architect.

Use of the title "architect"
Fact sheet explaining who can and can't use the title 'architect'.

Fees
The NZRAB is funded from fees paid by architects and registration applicants.

Code of Ethics
All New Zealand Registered Architects are bound by the Code of Minimum Standards of Ethical Conduct for Registered Architects.

 

Latest NZRAB News

  • 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.

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