Insights from NZGS Symposium 2025 – What’s Next for Geotechnical Engineering in New Zealand
- Sam Gibb
- Nov 3
- 3 min read
Last month, geotechnical engineers from around New Zealand (and beyond) gathered at the NZGS Symposium 2025 in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) for four days of technical sessions, workshops and field trips. The theme was “Geotechnical Horizons: Innovations and Challenges” and throughout the event the focus was clear: how our industry must evolve to meet new hazards, digital workflows and sustainability demands.
In this post we’ll share key take-aways, how they relate to our work at Gibb Ritchie, and what we believe are the major geotechnical priorities for the next few years in New Zealand.
Key themes and take-aways
Digital innovation & data workflows
At the Symposium, one of the recurring topics was how digital modelling, data-rich site investigations and 3D visualisation are changing the way we approach geotechnical design and risk assessment.
At Gibb Ritchie, we’re increasing our use of digital terrain models, LiDAR data and 3D ground modelling to provide clients with richer deliverables and more robust risk insights.
Sustainability & climate resilience
The theme “Innovations and Challenges” flagged that climate change, extreme weather and evolving hazard profiles (e.g., landslides, sea-level rise) are no longer future problems—they are current. The Symposium emphasised the need for geotechnical engineering to respond.
What this means for our work: more emphasis on hazard mapping, design margins for climate change, and specifying adaptive/resilient solutions rather than just the standard “safe today” check.
Collaborative/hybrid practice & knowledge sharing
The event also demonstrated that the geotechnical sector in NZ is increasingly collaborative—academics, consultants, contractors and clients working together to share learnings, advances and pitfalls.
At Gibb Ritchie, we’ll continue to invest in our internal review role, contractor workshops and post-job “lessons learned” sessions to stay ahead.
Relevance to our clients & projects
For clients the implications of the themes above are tangible:
In foundation or earth-works investigations we’ll be utilising higher fidelity data capture, and modelling more explicitly for future-load and hazard changes (rather than just present state).
For infrastructure clients we’ll be recommending resilience upgrades (e.g., for extreme rainfall, ground-movement risk), drawn from research and case studies.
We also intend to strengthen our client-facing communication: summarising risk in plain-language, showing “what-if” scenario modelling (aligned with what was discussed at NZGS) rather than just presenting findings.
What’s next for the industry (and for us)
Based on what was presented and discussed at the NZGS Symposium, our view is that the next 3–5 years will see:
Greater standardisation of digital geotechnical workflows (GIS + 3D modelling + integration with structural/earthworks design).
Expanded role of climate-hazard geotechnics: designing not only for current load/hazard but also for future states (e.g., more intense rainfall, slope movements, and changing groundwater regimes).
Increased expectation for value-adding consulting: clients will expect geotechnical advice to not only identify risk but propose optimised, resilient solutions and cost-benefit justification.
More emphasis on interdisciplinary linkages: geotechnical engineers working closely with geomorphologists, climate scientists, data analysts, contractors, and asset-owners.
Accelerated requirement for CPD and training: as the technical landscape shifts (digital tools, hazard modelling, sustainability) professionals must upskill and the industry must share knowledge more widely.
For our part at Gibb Ritchie, we will continue to:
Attend and present at industry events such as NZGS.
Implement digital workflows for site investigation, modelling and reporting.
Focus on giving clients geotechnical advice that is resilient, data-rich and future-facing.
Promote knowledge-sharing internally and externally (blog posts like this, seminars, training).
The NZGS Symposium in Auckland was a valuable affirmation that our industry is shifting — not just incrementally, but meaningfully — towards a future where geotechnical engineering is more data-driven, resilient and integrated. As your geotechnical partner, Gibb Ritchie is committed to bringing those advances into your projects.
If you’re planning a new development, subdivision, slope remediation or simply want an up-to-date geotechnical investigation aligned with current best-practice, let’s talk. Get in touch and we’ll discuss how we can apply the latest insights from NZGS to your project.
📞 Contact us for a free consultation on your next geotechnical investigation.
📧 Email: info@gibbritchie.co.nz
🌐 Visit our Services page to see how we support residential, commercial and infrastructure clients.
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