These steps provide a basic overview of the documentation and qualifications required for a mechanical superintendent CoC.

1. Application form

There are two ways you can apply:

1. Apply online(external link) - With online applications you can complete your application form and upload all supporting documentation through the website. 
2. Printable application form [PDF, 191 KB] - Print the application form and send it in via email or post.

2. Fit and proper person

To apply for a CoC you are required to provide evidence that you are fit and proper. The BoE may refuse an application if there is insufficient information to verify that you are a fit and proper person to hold this CoC. 

• Complete the fit and proper person form attached to the application form.
• Provide a current certified copy of your New Zealand criminal record check from the Ministry of Justice(external link).
• Your criminal record check must be provided to the BoE even if there are no convictions listed.
  • The date on your criminal record check must not be more than three months old upon receipt of your application by WorkSafe.
• If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more within the five years before making your application, you must also provide a criminal history from that country.

You can find more information on how criminal records are considered in our Fit and proper person policy.

3. Identification

Provide a certified copy of one of the following items to confirm your identity. The copy must be of a current (unexpired) document:

1. New Zealand driver’s licence
2. current refugee travel document used by or on behalf of the government of New Zealand
3. New Zealand or overseas passport
4. New Zealand firearms licence
5. current certificate of identity
6. New Zealand Police or New Zealand Defence Force photo identity card issued to non-civilian staff.

4. First aid certificate

Training of first aid personnel in workplaces must be carried out by individuals who are employed by an organisation granted consent by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to assess first aid unit standards.

• Provide a certified copy of your current first aid certificate.

5. New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) Record of Achievement

Provide a certified official transcript of your record of achievement from NZQA that shows the unit standards and qualification required for this CoC.

You can obtain this by contacting NZQA on 0800 697 296 or online(external link).

The following unit standards are required for mechanical superintendents and should be showing on your record of achievement:

Note: It may take up to 5-10 working days for your record of achievement to arrive from NZQA.

Qualification required

Along with the unit standards you must either:

1. hold a New Zealand national qualification in mechanical fitting or have a national qualification in mechanical engineering acceptable to the Board or hold a qualification in mechanical engineering from another institution, deemed equivalent by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to a New Zealand national qualification in mechanical engineering, acceptable to the Board; and
2. satisfy the Board that he or she has a minimum of three years’ work experience acceptable to the Board in the extractives or heavy industry (see section 6 operational experience).

or

1. hold a degree in mechanical engineering conferred by a New Zealand university or have a qualification in mechanical engineering from another institution, deemed equivalent by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to a four-year Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, acceptable to the Board; and
2. satisfy the Board that you have one year’s work experience acceptable to the Board in the extractive or heavy industry (see section 6 operational experience).

Certification of documents

You must provide a certified copy of all these documents. This means it is required to be certified by an authorised person such as a lawyer, Justice of the Peace, Court Registrar, or notary public.

• Identification
• Ministry of Justice criminal record check
• First aid certificate
• New Zealand Qualification Authority Record of Achievement
• Mechanical qualification.

6. Operational Experience Logbook

Provide a completed operational experience logbook [PDF, 230 KB] where you record your practical experience that is required for this certificate.

Section A

This section should show experience in either:

1. Holder of a New Zealand national qualification in mechanical fitting or have a national qualification in mechanical engineering or an equivalent mining qualification:
   • 3 years working in the extractives or heavy industry; or
2. Holder of an electrical engineering qualification conferred by a New Zealand institute or an equivalent mining qualification:
   
   • 1 years working in the extractives or heavy industry.

Section B

This section should show experience in more than one of the following options:

A minimum of one year’s experience carrying out the following types of work in respect of mobile or fixed plant:

• installation
• commissioning
• mechanical maintenance
• repair.

Before sending in your logbook, check that you have: 

1. filled in all the fields and columns
2. demonstrated the required amount of experience as outlined above
3. your logbook signed by a supervisor/manager or expert as verification
4. completed the contact page (at the back of the logbook).

Your logbook will be reviewed by the BoE. If the BoE requires clarification of your logbook you will be given the opportunity to do this.

An opportunity to attend an oral exam will be given once your operational logbook has been approved by the BoE.

7. Fees

The application fee for this certificate is NZ$140.00. This includes goods and services tax (GST). Please pay by direct credit.

To ensure payment reaches the BoE Secretariat, complete the fields in the direct credit form as outlined below:

Account Name: WorkSafe NZ
Bank: Westpac Account: 03-0251-0040445-000
Particulars: Last name
Code: First name
Reference: Extractives CoC

8. How to send your application

You can send your application form and supporting documentation through one of the following options:

Paper applications

a. Via email

Send scanned copies of your application and supporting documents to the BoE Secretariat.

b. Via courier/post

New Zealand Mining Board of Examiners (BoE) Secretariat,
PO Box 165,
Wellington 6140

Online applications

Applications that are completed and submitted through our online system(external link) automatically get sent to the BoE Secretariat for processing.

For your application to be considered complete, you must provide all required information and supporting documents. If your application is considered incomplete you will be given 10 working days to provide the requested information or documents. If you have not provided this within the 10 working days your application and supporting documents will be returned to you.

You will need to reapply for your CoC when you have the correct documents, ensuring your Ministry of Justice criminal record check is still dated within three months and first aid certificate is still current.

For more information, see our Incomplete applications policy [PDF, 47 KB].

Once your completed application has been reviewed, logbook approved and a date has been set for your oral exam you will receive a letter outlining the date, time and location. Scheduling of oral exams is based on availability of suitable panel members and the number of applicants applying for similar CoCs. Your oral exam could take place up to a few months after the BoE has received your complete application and you should allow approximately one hour for the exam.

An oral examination panel consists of three members who will mostly be senior colleagues from the extractives industry relevant to your CoC. A member of the Board’s Secretariat is also present to ensure the Boards processes and procedures are followed. In some instances, such as moderation, the Board wishes for observers to be present during an oral exam. If this is the case you will be asked for permission prior to your exam.

The panel will assess you against the benchmarks set out in the High Level Oral Exam Framework [PDF, 243 KB]. The panel will use workplace-based scenarios to assess you against these benchmarks. The scenarios may include follow up questions. You will be asked to demonstrate the application of your skills and/or knowledge relevant to the CoC. This means that the panel will expect you to talk about the scenarios you have been presented with, including the actions you would take, putting into practice what you have learnt and explaining why you have taken the action(s).

The scenarios will cover these four competencies:

1. Operating and Safety Systems
2. Legislation
3. Emergency Management
4. Leadership.

Each competency has a range of topics which can be found in the High Level Oral Exam Framework on page 3.

For more information, see our oral examination policies.

Outcomes after oral examination

It can take up to 2-3 weeks after your oral exam for a response to come back from the BoE on the outcome of your overall application.

If the BoE finds you competent and grants you with your mechanical superintendent CoC, a letter will be sent to you along with your certificate and information on CPD requirements.

If the BoE finds you not yet competent and declines your application for your mechanical superintendent CoC you will receive a letter including extracts from the report from your oral examination. This will assist you in preparation should you wish to reapply.

You can reapply and re-sit the exam at any time.

As a holder of a CoC you must demonstrate that you have complied with the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements when renewing your CoC.

CPD requirements are prescribed by WorkSafe and the BoE renews all CoCs. 

To find out more, see our information about CPD and your requirements.

• New Zealand Gazette Notice of Requirements for Granting of Certificates of Competence(external link)
• New Zealand Gazette Notice of Requirements for Continuing Professional Development(external link)
• Health and Safety at Work (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations) Regulations 2016(external link)