Workshops
- All Pre-Symposium Workshops will take place on Wednesday 15 October 2025
- Bookings should be completed during the Symposium registration process
- If you wish to attend a workshop but won’t be attending the Symposium, bookings will open at a later date if there are still spaces available
- Workshop time may be subject to change. Please check back for updates.
| Pre-Symposium Workshop | Presenters | Time/Location | Fees | Sponsored by |
| 1. Earthworks: Theory to Practice | Dr Burt Look NZ perspective presented by Ayoub Riman | 08.30–17.00 Aotea Centre | $750 + GST for members $1100 + GST for non members (20% discount for symposium participants) | |
| 2. Slope Stability Guidance | Richard Justice, Eleni Gkeli, Razel Ramilo, Alan Wightman, Tom Revell, Naomi Norris | 08.30–17.00 Aotea Centre | $500 + GST for members $800 + GST for non members (20% discount for symposium participants) | Natural Hazards Commission - Toka Tū Ake |
| 3. Rapid Building Assessment training – geotechnical aspect | Rori Green and Jeremy Neven | 09.00–16.30 T+T Auckland Office, Weke Room | Free | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment |
| 4. In-situ Testing Practical Workshop | Robin Power and Dr David Lacey | 08.30–16.00 Parnell Cricket Club, Remuera (close to Auckland CBD) | $500 + GST for members $800 + GST for non members (20% discount for symposium participants) |
Workshop #1
Earthworks: Theory to Practice
Presenter: Dr Burt Look
Proposed time: 08.30–17.00
Location: Aotea Centre, Auckland
Number of spaces: limited to first 20 participants
Target audience: The workshop is for those involved in the design, and construction of earthworks. Civil and geotechnical engineers, project managers, site engineers, and other construction staff will find this course useful.
Provided resource: A hard copy book of 'Earthworks: Theory to Practice - Design and Construction – 22 September 2022' will be provided to all participants as part of the workshops (cost of book included in workshop registration fee).
Description: The workshop provides an overview of the 2022 book Earthworks: Theory to Practice – Design and Construction for practicing engineers. This book evolved from an earthworks course delivered to practicing engineers over a 10-year period (primarily civil and project engineers) and has benefited from their feedback and experiences.
Many measurements have become targets rather than part of a decision-making process. This simplifies the site decision in having assessment metronomically stated for you, but a targeting simplification can lead to either over conservatism or unstable works.
The focus of the workshop is to encourage critical thinking to add value, and not on using numbers in an equation.
A case study approach is adopted to show how earthworks theory is applied in day-to-day practice. The workshop will be tailored to New Zealand soil and rock conditions.
Fees: $750 + GST for members, $1100 + GST for non members (20% discount for symposium participants)
Location: Aotea Centre, Auckland
Number of spaces: limited to first 20 participants
Target audience: The workshop is for those involved in the design, and construction of earthworks. Civil and geotechnical engineers, project managers, site engineers, and other construction staff will find this course useful.
Provided resource: A hard copy book of 'Earthworks: Theory to Practice - Design and Construction – 22 September 2022' will be provided to all participants as part of the workshops (cost of book included in workshop registration fee).
Description: The workshop provides an overview of the 2022 book Earthworks: Theory to Practice – Design and Construction for practicing engineers. This book evolved from an earthworks course delivered to practicing engineers over a 10-year period (primarily civil and project engineers) and has benefited from their feedback and experiences.
Many measurements have become targets rather than part of a decision-making process. This simplifies the site decision in having assessment metronomically stated for you, but a targeting simplification can lead to either over conservatism or unstable works.
The focus of the workshop is to encourage critical thinking to add value, and not on using numbers in an equation.
A case study approach is adopted to show how earthworks theory is applied in day-to-day practice. The workshop will be tailored to New Zealand soil and rock conditions.
Fees: $750 + GST for members, $1100 + GST for non members (20% discount for symposium participants)
Workshop #2
Slope Stability in Practice: Exploring the NZGS Guidance Units
Presenters: Richard Justice, Eleni Gkeli, Razel Ramilo and Alan Wightman
Proposed time: 08.30–17.00
Location: Aotea Centre, Auckland
Number of spaces: limited to first 40 participants
Target audience: This workshop is ideal for geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists, and other professionals involved in slope stability and landslide risk assessment.
Description: This workshop will provide an introduction to the New Zealand Geotechnical Society (NZGS) series of Slope Stability Guidance Units, which offer technical and practical guidance for geoprofessionals in New Zealand. The session will focus on key aspects of slope stability assessments and landslide management, helping practitioners apply best practices in their work.
Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the guidance units, share insights, and provide feedback to help shape future developments. Unit 1 – General Guidance has now been issued in final format. Units 2 and 3 have been issued in draft, with Units 4 and 6 set for release in the coming months.
Fees: $500 + GST for members, $800 + GST for non members (20% discount for symposium participants)
Workshop #3
Tier 2 Geotechnical Rapid Building Assessment Training
Presenters: Rori Green (others TBC)
Proposed time: 09.00–16.30
Location: T+T Office, Auckland
Number of spaces: limited to first 26 participants
Target audience: Geoprofessionals staff willing and able to become registered Rapid Building Assessors.
We encourage those with CPEng/PEngGeol to attend the training course.
Description: The course is aimed at geoprofessionals and includes content focusing on assessment of geo-hazards, the physical and human environments RBAs will encounter, the legislative framework, and the systems and processes involved in Rapid Building Assessments.
Learning outcomes: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Recall how buildings are managed in an emergency and the agencies involved
- Recall the legislative framework and RBA system
- Recognise the role of rapid building assessors, team roles and responsibilities
- Consider the health, safety and wellbeing aspects in the field
- Undertake rapid building assessments and use the tools provided to document and identify buildings accurately
Fees: Free
Workshop #4
In-situ Testing Practical Workshop
Presenters: Dr David Lacey and Robin Power
Proposed time: 08.30–16.00
Location: Parnell Cricket Club, Remuera (Close to Auckland CBD)
PPE: Hi Vis vest, steel cap boots (weather dependent: rain jacket, sun hat)
PPE: Hi Vis vest, steel cap boots (weather dependent: rain jacket, sun hat)
Number of spaces: limited to first 30 participants
Arrival: Please arrive between 08.30 and 08.45 for tea, coffee, and networking.
Start time: 08.45 sharp for a welcome and safety briefing.
Expected finish: around 16.00
Start time: 08.45 sharp for a welcome and safety briefing.
Expected finish: around 16.00
Description: Get ready for a full day of expert presentations and live field demonstrations focused on the latest in-situ testing methods. The day will be split into key sessions covering:
Morning session:
- Profiling - Use of geophysics Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) as a complementary testing regime for site characterisation tests
- Penetration tests - Description of each test equipment and method and demonstration –
- Cone Penetration Testing (CPT)
- Dilatometer Test (DMT)
- Direct push soil sampling
- Down-hole Shear Vane and Down Hole Seismic
- Dynamic Probing, SPT and push tube sampling
- PANDA [variable energy] Probe and the Automated DCP
- In Situ Modulus & Bearing Capacity - Description of each test equipment and method and demonstration
- Static Plate Load Test (PLT)
- Light Weight Deflectometers (LWDs)
- Trailer Mounted Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD)
- Intelligent Compaction
Featured demonstrations by:
- The University of Auckland - MASW and GPR
- Ground Investigation: CPT and related gear
- Geotechnics: Dynamic Probing Terrier Rig
- Insitutek: PANDA Probe & Automated DCP
- Geolab: Plate Load Test (PLT)
- Tetratech: Accelerometer-based LWD
- FSG Geotechnics + Foundations: Geophone-based LWD
- Downer: FWD
Morning tea and lunch will be provided, offering great opportunities for discussion and networking. We look forward to seeing you there for a successful and informative day.
Fees: $500 + GST for members, $800 + GST for non members (20% discount for symposium participants)
NZGS Symposium 2025 is managed by Conferences & Events Ltd.
Conference Manager: Amy Abel
+64 4 384 1511
nzgs2025@confer.co.nz
www.confer.co.nz
This event is organised by Conferences & Events Ltd. We are a New Zealand business.