Australia's largest association of professional engineers is investigating one of its members who oversaw what proved to be the deadliest building in last year's earthquake in New Zealand.

Engineers Australia says it is investigating claims that Brisbane-based chartered engineer William Fisher has misrepresented his identity and qualifications.

The 67-year-old appeared last month before the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission under the name Gerald Shirtcliff.

He was the construction manager of the CTV building in the 1980s.

The building collapsed in last year's February quake, killing 115 people.

The Press newspaper in Christchurch claims Mr Shirtcliff adopted the identity and qualifications of a fellow engineer to further his study and gain work and registration in Australia.

Mr Shirtcliff, under the name Will Fisher, has denied all allegations.