8 Nov 2023
An Engineering New Zealand Disciplinary Committee has confirmed the complaint against Dr Alan Reay will be heard on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 December at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, and continue on Wednesday 6 December as necessary.
Dr Reay’s company designed the CTV Building, which collapsed in the Christchurch Earthquake, tragically claiming 115 lives. Dr Reay was a member of Engineering New Zealand at the time the building collapsed.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment raised a complaint that Dr Reay breached his professional obligations, based on findings from the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission of Inquiry.
In October, the High Court found in favour of Engineering New Zealand, dismissing Dr Reay’s request for a judicial review.
Justice Paul Radich’s found, “In my view – as with those of the High Court and the Court of Appeal when the continuation of the proceeding was raised before them in 2018 and 2019 – there is a genuine public interest element in having the Disciplinary Committee determine the underlying issues. The disciplinary process is able to proceed fairly.”
Engineering New Zealand Chief Executive Dr Richard Templer says, “I welcome this step in the process. I hope a Disciplinary Committee’s decision on this complaint can finally provide some answers, and perhaps a sense of closure for the CTV families and the profession.”
The hearing is open to the public.
Media can email Lachlan McKenzie, Communications Manager at media@engineeringnz.org to request the hearing protocols and application form. All applications must be received by 5pm Wednesday 15 November.
Notes to reporters
Engineering New Zealand is New Zealand's professional body for engineers, with some 22,000 members. We represent – and regulate – our members. We also act as the Registration Authority for Chartered Professional Engineers.
Disciplinary Committees can make orders under the membership rules and disciplinary regulations in effect at the time the complaint was raised. The maximum fine that can be imposed is $5,000 under the membership rules that applied at that time. This maximum was increased to $10,000 in 2020.
See the timeline of the complaint against Dr Alan Reay.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Lachlan McKenzie on 021 479 885.
