The aim of the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering is to provide skilled and competent engineering technicians who: Apply engineering theory to practice, and competently perform technical operations to the standards, ethical and professional responsibilities required by the engineering profession; Have a knowledge sufficient to permit informed, rational decision making in a specialist fields of engineering and to implement these decisions; Will work collaboratively with construction workers, clients, authorities, agencies, industry and other professionals to provide a comprehensive engineering service in the relevant specialist area; and Have an understanding of all cultures and in particular an awareness and clear understanding of the tangata whenua and the implications of the Treaty of Waitangi and the Resource Management Act.

On achievement of this qualification, graduates should: be competent to apply a technical and conceptual knowledge to practical situations; be confident, critical thinkers who have the ability to solve problems within a broad engineering setting; have developed capabilities as effective communicators, with inquiring, flexible, creative and critical attitudes towards contemporary issues and underlying theoretical concepts; have an appreciation of management and information technology within the context of the qualification; have an awareness of social, ethical and environmental issues; have developed the necessary skills and strategies to work safely and effectively on and off construction sites and engineering workplaces and with individuals, contractors, communities, clients and authorities; be self reliant and motivated for continuous learning and professional development, function positively in bi-cultural and multicultural environment such as those, which exist in New Zealand engineering. be work ready and able to be employed in a relevant engineering environment to work towards the achievement of the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Practise (NZDEP) and to meet the minimum standard of competence to practice competently to the standard expected of a reasonable Engineering Technician.