Soil and Rock Description update
Project lead: Vicki Moon
NZGS management committee lead: Ross Roberts
Core team: Stuart Read, Susan Tilsley, Steve Cooke, Darren Maxwell, Vicki Moon, Geoff Farquhar, Ann Williams, James Elvy, Nathan Schumacher, Rob Damhuis, John Scott
Programme: Draft in Q1 2025
First published in 1988, and revised 17 years later in 2005, the NZGS guidelines are generally considered to be a great document. Feedback has suggested that some improvements could be made, and given that this guide is now approaching its 16th year a review has been undertaken.
Feedback was collated in 2021 through online surveys and in the NZGS Symposium through a workshop, and this feedback has formed the basis of the committee’s work.
Ground anchor specification
Project lead: Robert Hillier
NZGS management committee lead: Ross Roberts
Core team: Brabha Pathmanathan, Greg Saul, Stuart Finlan, Kevin Anderson, Kyle Webster, David Sharp, Ian McPherson, Jethro Neeson, Nima Tagipouran, Robert Hillier, Kiran Saligame, Tony Kao, Tim Pervan, Tim Farrant, Lars Schmidt, John Scott
Programme: Final Q1/Q2 2025
The ground anchor guideline has been issued as a draft for comment. This was prepared over the last 2 years by a team of NZGS volunteer subject matter experts. The NZGS management committee would like to thank the team for their hard work and dedication in preparing this guideline. This document is intended to be used by geo/structural professionals involved in the design and construction of ground anchors and assist parties to comply with their obligations under the Building Act. The guideline has been developed using recognized international design standards but has been specifically prepared to follow New Zealand best practice. The document is released as a draft for comment, and we encourage our members to use the document over the next 6 months and provide feedback to the development team for any improvements or clarifications required. Please provide all comments by email to secretary@NZGS.org.
NZGS will be holding a series of presentations at local branches across the country to outline what is in the guideline and how to use it for future projects. A detailed NZGS training course will also be prepared and training sessions will be run around the country. The itinerary for the presentations and training courses will be released in the near future.
Slope stability guidelines
NZGS management committee leads: Richard Justice
Steering Group Members: Richard Justice, Eleni Gkeli, David Stewart, Ross Roberts, John Scott
Programme: Stability Unit 1 to be published in October 2024
The New Zealand Geotechnical Society has produced six Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering Guideline Modules covering a range of geotechnical topics. These did not specifically address slope stability.
The New Zealand Geotechnical Society have funding agreements with Toka Tú Ake EQC and MBIE for the development of Unit 1 of the proposed slope stability guidance series. This will be an overview unit, with a similar intent to Module 1 of the Earthquake Engineering Series, and is intended to be a ‘guidance’ document, outlining what competent practice should consider and assess. The structure of the development team comprises a Steering Group, mostly comprising current members of the NZGS committee and a Working Group, who are tasked with development of the content of the Unit.
Building Act section 72 guidance
NZGS management committee lead: Sally Hargraves
Core team: Nick Rogers, John Scott, Jeff Farrell, John Westerson.
Programme: on hold
There is an inconsistent use and application of s72 of the Building Act across NZ. Some guidance has been developed for some parts of the country, but the aim of this guidance will be to provide more clarity and consistency across New Zealand in terms of when Councils might implement s72 and under what circumstances. This will hopefully be delivered as joint guidance with MBIE.
The guidance development team would hopefully comprise a mixture of geotechnical consultants; those with experience of the EQC Act 1991 and those with experience of implenting s72 at Territorial Authority level. If you have an interest in this area, please contact the lead.
Subsoil drainage guidance
NZGS management committee lead: Sally Hargraves
Core team: currently in development
Programme: Not started
There is currently no NZ specific guidance on the design, construction and maintenance of subsoil drains. This guidance would aim to provide guidance on good (not necessarily best) practice in this area for use on land development projects, especially where filling is proposed over gullies or soft, wet ground; or where springs / seepage may be present.
The guidance development team would hopefully comprise a mixture of geotechnical consultants and contractors representatives. Please contact the lead if you have an interest in this area and think you may be able to contribute.