IPENZ Investigation

The Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand.

Stella Cheersmith

IPENZ (now Engineering New Zealand) conducted an investigation into the CTV building's collapse and the engineers who designed it - namely Alan Reay and David Harding. Both Reay and Harding resigned from IPENZ during the investigation proceedings, causing the institution to drop the case against Reay. However, their previous progress with Harding allowed them to continue the investigation into him and conclude that Harding “misrepresented his competence” and should have ensured his design work on the CTV building was reviewed. In 2015, the Government sought a judicial review of the dropped case on Reay which allowed IPENZ to reopen their investigation in 2019. A Disciplinary Hearing took place in December 2023 to determine if Reay should be admonished, and a report was released in September 2024.

Resources:

• The Star 12 December 2012 (Page 2) | "Design firm investigation bid." - Outlines the early stages of the complaint lodged with IPENZ and their planned investigation.
• Christchurch Press 30 March 2013: Section A, Page 7 | "Engineers to face more stringent regulations after CTV collapse." - This report covers discussions between IPENZ and the Housing and Construction Minister to tighten regulations around engineering practices following the investigation into the CTV building’s collapse. The engineers who were involved in the design and construction of the CTV building were all part of IPENZ at the time, subject to its code of ethics and were required to meet the professional standards expected of the day.
  • Christchurch Press 13 August 2013: Section A, Page 13 | "Powers needed to keep Kiwi engineers in line." - This article, written by Andrew Cleland (Chief Executive of IPENZ), expands on some of the points in the report from 30 March (above). It gives a helpful breakdown of the processes within IPENZ, as well as some of the system’s flaws and changes needed.
• Christchurch Press 30 July 2013: Section A, Page 1 | "CTV engineer fights probe." - Article from The Press that reports on Alan Reay’s complaint against IPENZ arguing that the institution “lacks the jurisdiction to investigate him”. It also gives information on the complaint brought to IPENZ by 54 relatives of those who died in the CTV building, which led to the investigation into Reay and the conduct of his firm during the design process.
• Christchurch Press 12 March 2014: Section A, Page 2 | "Engineer dodges CTV action." - Reports on Reay’s resignation from IPENZ, which complicated their investigation. Chief Executive of IPENZ Andrew Cleland said that they had “no jurisdiction to impose disciplinary penalties against an engineer who is not a member of the institution.” The complaints against Reay would likely be dropped.
• CTV engineer says he's been treated unfairly | RNZ - This audio file from Checkpoint reports on Alan Reay’s resignation from IPENZ, and the consequences of that action. It includes an interview with Andrew Cleland, who discusses the institution's limitations now that Reay had resigned, and the response from the family members of those affected by the CTV collapse.
• Christchurch Press 5 September 2014: Section A, Page 5 | "Quitting loophole set to go." - Details some of the changes to be put in place following the IPENZ investigation, and some of the issues that arose form it (such as Reay and Harding resigning).
• Christchurch Press 18 September 2014: Section A, Page 1 | "CTV engineer fails to stop release of disciplinary findings." - Article reporting on the ongoing IPENZ investigation into David Harding, the lead designer of the CTV building. Though Harding resigned from IPENZ in July, the institution carried out two hearings later that month and would soon publish a report on their findings. The article also includes a brief timeline relating to the investigation.
• Christchurch Press 5 December 2014: Section A, Page 4 | "Engineer shamed but not punished." - Details the outcome of the IPENZ investigation into David Harding. The report concluded that Harding “misrepresented his competence” to the Christchurch City Council when designing the CTV building but would not face official sanction. The article also mentions Reay’s resignation from IPENZ, which meant the investigation had to be closed.
• Christchurch Press 26 March 2015: Section A, Page 6 | "Father of CTV victim welcomes litigation." - Provides further details on the IPENZ investigation into Reay, the process of investigation and why it was dropped, as well as recent developments that the Government would seek a judicial review of the dropped case.
• Complaint brought against engineer of CTV building | RNZ - This report from Checkpoint gives a summary of the first day of the Disciplinary Hearing held by IPENZ (now known as Engineering New Zealand). The audio file includes clips from the opening statements given at the hearing, as well as a history of the investigation by IPENZ. The hearing began on 4 December 2023 with the purpose of determining whether Dr Alan Reay was liable for disciplinary action from the institution.

Engineering New Zealand

The Engineering New Zealand website has a news section tagged with all their media releases about the CTV building, which cover the Disciplinary Hearing into Alan Reay that took place in December 2023. The selection below gives an overview of their investigations and decisions:

• Committee decision on CTV Building Collapse | Engineering NZ - Provides a summary of the report on David Harding, as well as some of the conclusions and subsequent actions taken.
• CTV: Alan Reay complaint – timeline of events | Engineering NZ - Provides a timeline of the ongoing Alan Reay complaint, from the design of the CTV building in 1986 to the hearing date in December 2023.
• Background to the Alan Reay judicial review | Engineering NZ - This is a more detailed history of IPENZ's investigations into both Harding and Reay, including the changes made to their complaints process and the reasons behind some of their decisions.
• Reay Hearing: Opening Statement | Engineering NZ - A transcript of the hearing's opening statement, given by Andrew McMenamin, Chair of the Disciplinary Committee. McMenamin reads out the complaint given to Engineering New Zealand by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE). He also outlines the day's agenda as well as the plan for the second and third days of the hearing.
• Reay Hearing: Committee reserves its decision | Engineering NZ - A summary of the hearing and some of the closing statements. McMenamin stated that it may take some time for the Disciplinary Committee to release their findings.
• CTV Building – Alan Reay complaint upheld | Engineering NZ - This media release announces the decision of the Engineering New Zealand Disciplinary Committee to uphold the complaint against Alan Reay. The Committee ordered that Reay be admonished, fined $750 and pay costs of $1,000 – the maximum amounts possible under the rules at the time the building was designed. The Committee also advised Reay to consider issuing a public apology for his inadequate supervision of the CTV design process.
• Disciplinary Committee decision 25 September 2024.pdf - The full report from Engineering New Zealand’s Disciplinary Hearing. The document covers the background of the complaint and outlines what issues the Disciplinary Committee sought to determine, and concludes with the Committee’s decision on Reay’s conduct. It also includes a statement from the CTV Family Group that was submitted to the Disciplinary Committee during the investigation.

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General Searches:

For further information on the CTV building collapse and the IPENZ investigation, search the CEISMIC collection or get started with one of the links below.

• For a general search of the collection that includes "CTV building" and keywords such as IPENZ, investigation, Reay, Harding, engineer, design, click here
• For a selection of articles about the IPENZ investigation, click here
• To search the archive for audio files related to the IPENZ investigation, click here
• For the full list of Engineering New Zealand's media releases on the investigation, click here
• To explore the IPENZ tag on CEISMIC, click here