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 | 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 - Australian Geomechanics Society | Robin Power and Dr David Lacey | 08.30–16.00 Auckland Venue TBC | $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: Auckland, Venue TBC
Number of spaces: limited to first 30 participants
Description: The In-situ Testing Day is a one-day workshop designed to be an opportunity for attendees to try several techniques to evaluate the material condition via common in-situ testing methods such as static Plate Load, Cone Penetration Testing, Automated Dynamic Cone Penetrometer, Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves and Ground Penetrating Radar.
The aim of the day is to allow geomechanics practitioners an opportunity to experience how the tests are completed in practice, such that they are familiar with how the data reported on test reports is collected in the field and better understand when and how to specify the tests. The field day is a great opportunity for early career professionals to discuss the techniques with experienced operators, and for experienced practitioners to discuss the applicability and limitations of each in-situ testing method.
The aim of the day is to allow geomechanics practitioners an opportunity to experience how the tests are completed in practice, such that they are familiar with how the data reported on test reports is collected in the field and better understand when and how to specify the tests. The field day is a great opportunity for early career professionals to discuss the techniques with experienced operators, and for experienced practitioners to discuss the applicability and limitations of each in-situ testing method.
This is a unique opportunity for attendees to witness a full-scale demonstration of each test – and is specifically designed to be practical in nature rather than a theoretical discussion about each test technique.
Notes:
Lunch will not be provided.
Anyone wishing to join will need to provide their own PPE (Steel-toe shoes and high-visibility vest).
Lunch will not be provided.
Anyone wishing to join will need to provide their own PPE (Steel-toe shoes and high-visibility vest).
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.