19 June 2023
Ref: DOIA 2223-2707
L K Harris
[FYI request #22869 email]
Tēnā koe L K Harris
Thank you for your email of 21 May 2023 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the fol owing information:
- How is MBIE monitoring and checking that the NZRAB and its obligations under the Registered Architects
Act 2005 are being upheld, and in particular ensuring that they are administering the reasons why or why
not someone is eligible for registration without discrimination?
- Is MBIE satisfied that the NZRAB is not discriminatory towards its applicants for registration, and what
processes are in place in the NZRAB to ensure this
- Is MBIE satisfied that the NZRAB Architects register reflects the multicultural and gender-diverse society
of NZ, yes please provide statistics and if not please clarify and identify this.
- Is the NZRAB required to keep and report on data on the successful and unsuccessful applicants to the
Qualifications and Experience Assessment (QEAP)? If not, then why not?
- Is MBIE satisfied that the Pathway 2 process is correctly represented on the NZRAB website and that the
application process ensures transparency for all applicants?
Under the Registered Architects Act 2005, the role of MBIE is to monitor the New Zealand Registered
Architects Board’s (the Board) execution of its statutory functions and achievement of its performance
measures. Performance measures are set in agreement between the Minister of Building and
Construction and the Board every three years on average. The submission of the Board’s annual report
and analysis against their performance measures is MBIE’s primary way of monitoring the actions of the
Board throughout the financial year. The Board is obligated under the Act to submit this report to the
Minister and to submit a report on operations, financial statements and statement of responsibility to the
Auditor-General. MBIE has no obligations regarding the submission to the Auditor-General, only to the
Annual Report.
Further, MBIE acts as the Minister of Building and Construction’s officials in making appointments to the
Board. The Board Appointments and Governance Team (MBIE) oversees carrying out public searches for
candidates for Board roles, engagement with the New Zealand Institute of Architects for their designated
roles under the Act and providing advice to the Minister on candidates for appointment. They also
provide the relevant documentation to the Appointments and Honours Committee, and Cabinet, to
progress appointments and perform the relevant due diligence checks on candidates.
However, MBIE cannot speak to the specific questions you have raised regarding the NZRAB Architects’
Register reflecting the multicultural and gender-diverse nature of New Zealand society, requirements for
keeping and reporting on data regarding applications for the Qualifications and Experience Assessment
Assessment, or the transparency for all applicants in the Pathway 2 process as described on the Board’s
website. MBIE does not exercise any jurisdiction in the Board’s operational matters, nor do we exercise
any oversight of the Architects’ Register. As such, these questions will have to be referred to the Board
for answers. MBIE is therefore transferring these parts of your request to the New Zealand Registered
Architects Board, in accordance with section 14(b)(ii) of the Act, which allows me to transfer any request
that is believed to be more closely aligned with the functions of another department, organisation or
Minister of the Crown.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, or if you require any further assistance,
please contact
[email address].
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802
602.
Nāku noa, nā
Paul Metcalf
Manager, Appointments and Governance
Labour, Science, and Enterprise
