28 Jun 2021
A Disciplinary Committee has upheld a complaint raised by Tasman District Council about Steven King-Turner, Chartered Professional Engineer and Chartered Member of Engineering New Zealand.
Mr King-Turner issued a producer statement 4 for construction review (PS4), certifying construction work completed complies with the Building Code, before building consent had been obtained. The Council became aware of this while processing the building consent application to authorise the work.
Mr King-Turner was found to have failed to enquire whether building consent had been granted before issuing the PS4.
He was also censured and ordered to pay a fine and contribute 50 percent of all investigation costs, totalling $8,837.50.
The Disciplinary Committee said construction should not occur without consent, and is “a behaviour which should be deterred, given engineers play a vital role in maintaining the building consent process”.
“A reasonable engineer should have checked whether building consent had been applied for and granted before issuing a PS4.”
The Disciplinary Committee said Mr King-Turner’s actions showed “a lack of care” but the departure from expected standards was “at the lower end of the scale”. Further, no wide-ranging competency issues were identified.
The Committee also commended Mr King-Turner for taking steps to prevent the omission from recurring in his own practice and that of his firm.
Engineering New Zealand expects engineers to play their part in ensuring building consent process are followed, as part of their professional obligations and their commitment to the Code of Ethical Conduct. We have published an article for members about the pitfalls of not doing so and the implications for clients, consenting authorities and engineers.
Read the Disciplinary Committee decision
Read the Investigating Committee decision
Notes to reporters
Engineering New Zealand is New Zealand's professional body for engineers, with more than 22,000 members. We represent – and regulate – our members. We also act as the Registration Authority for Chartered Professional Engineers. Previously known as IPENZ, on 1 October 2017 we introduced a new, more inclusive membership pathway and changed our name to better reflect what we do.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Lachlan McKenzie on 021 479 885.
