Choose from one of our preset courses below.

We offer courses with a set topic, teaching style, and timeframe at three different levels. 

Introductory
Intermediate
Advanced

Courses are taught when enough interest is expressed. Register your interest with us today. 

Introductory Courses
​Are you a land-owner? Do you need to gain familiarity with contaminated site issues?

For a reasonable cost come to our introductory classes, orient yourself with NZ requirements, ask questions pertinent to your situation, and leave having a plan for managing your situation.
​
Educate yourself.  Know the risks and rules.  Gain peace of mind.
NES 101 - Help!  My land might be contaminated

Course Summary
This class is for anyone new to contaminated land issues.  It’s for land owners, property managers or tenants that have discovered that hazardous materials may have been used on their properties.  You will learn how to determine the real risks on your property.  Also, what, if anything, you need to do about it.  You will also learn about how to get more information, if you need it.  

Duration - 1.5 hours

What you’ll get from this course
  • Helpful tips on how to assess the risks on your land
  • Methods for how to find, manage and trust a technical consultant (when are they doing good science and when are they taking you for a ride)
  • A better understanding about the rules that apply to your property
  • An opportunity to ask questions
  • Some peace of mind based on having more knowledge about the situation

Cost - $30 per person
SMP 101 - Introduction to the Environmental Site Management Plan (1.5 hrs)

Course Summary
If your land is identified as being contaminated, or potentially contaminated, there are ways to leave the contamination in place that minimises risks.  You’ll learn about the basic principles behind site management, the information required in a Site Management Plan, and how the Site Management Plan is used to inform land-owners and occupants about the site risks and how to manage them.  

Duration - 1.5 hours

What you’ll get from this course
  • Details on what should be included in a Site Management Plan
  • An understanding of what Councils will expect
  • Methods for how to find, manage and trust a technical consultant
  • An opportunity to ask questions

Cost - $30 per person
PSI 101 - Introduction to the Preliminary Site Investigation

Course Summary 
This class is for people considering land development or earthworks on their property, and are facing the first step – obtaining a Preliminary Environmental Site Investigation. We'll discuss how historic activities on your property may have contaminated the land or water. You’ll learn about the steps of a preliminary site investigation including:  historical aerial photograph review, finding information on council files, and obtaining history from people who have long-term knowledge of the property.  

Duration - 1.5 hours

What you’ll get from this course
  • Details on what should be included in a Preliminary Site Investigation Report
  • Information on what to anticipate after the Preliminary Site Investigation is complete - do you have to do anything? Soil testing? Digging?
  • Methods for how to find, manage and trust a technical consultant
  • An opportunity to ask questions

Cost - $30 per person

Intermediate Courses
​For land owners or professionals who want a more detailed understanding of contaminated site issues and how to manage them. 

These courses are also useful for teachers - they could be used as a module for your high school science curriculum.
NES 201 - Fundamentals of the NES
 - National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health -

Course Summary
This class is for people who are working closely with suitably qualified technical professionals in land development, or re-development.  You will learn about the NES and how it is applied during property development.

Teachers will also find this continuing education course useful for developing science curriculum modules based on New Zealand’s latest approach to managing environmental issues.  Case studies will be clearly described which can be used as teaching tools and may inspire the next generation of environmental scientists.

Duration - 3 hours

During the course we will discuss
  1. What is the National Environmental Standard (NES) for Assessing and Managing Contaiminants in Soil to protect Human Health (came into effect on 1 January 2012).
  2. What triggers an NES consent?
  3. What is the Listed Land Use Register – and if my property is on it, does that mean its contaminated?
  4. Why are both the City Council and the Regional Council involved in decision-making around contaminated sites?
  5. What is the science behind the Soil Contaminant Standards
  6. What is the difference between a Preliminary Site Investigation and a Detailed Site Investigation?
  7. What do you do if your property is contaminated?

What you’ll get from this course:
  • An understanding of how the NES was developed and why
  • Details on what should be included in an application for consent under the NES
  • An opportunity to ask questions

Cost - $90 per person
RA 201 - Fundamentals of Environmental Risk Assessment and Toxicology 

Course Summary
Have you ever wanted to know how much of a chemical in soil or water is too much?  If so, this class will be of interest. We’ll discuss the science behind risk assessment. 

Duration - 3 hours

​During the course we will discuss
The three fundamental aspects to evaluating risk:
  1. Type of receptor – who is being exposed - men, woman, children or animals?
  2. Contaminant toxicity – how much chemical causes an adverse effect in humans or other organisms?
  3. Exposure pathways – how does a chemical it get into your system?
If you are working closely with qualified technical professionals in land development, or re-development, this class can help you understand how to develop an appropriate scope of work for assessing risk, and to understand technical reports regarding contaminated soil or water.

What you’ll get from this course
  • Details on what should be included in an Environmental Risk Assessment Assessment of Effects on the Environment
  • A better understanding of how the National Environmental Standards were developed and why
  • Methods for how to find, manage and trust a technical consultant
  • An opportunity to ask detailed questions about how to assess and manage risks

Cost - $150 per person
PSI 201 -  Fundamentals of a Preliminary Site Investigation 

Course Summary
This class is for people who are working closely with suitably qualified technical professionals in land development, or re-development.  It will take a more in depth look into the process behind the government-required Preliminary Environmental Site Investigation. 

With a little more time we can cover more details. 

During the course we will discuss
  1. How to find and review historic aerial photographs for your site.
  2. The MfE HAIL (Hazardous Activities and Industry List) and what hazardous chemicals are associated with each activity.  
  3. Council records – What they may contain that would be useful for the PSI.
  4. Anecdotal information – can it be relied on?  How to obtain site history from people who have long-term knowledge of the property.
  5. The PSI report – what should you expect from your professional?  What are typically conclusions and recommendations in a PSI report?

What you’ll get from this course
  • Details on what should be included in a Preliminary Site Investigation Report
  • Information on what to anticipate after the Preliminary Site Investigation is complete
  • Methods for how to find, manage and trust a technical consultant
  • An opportunity to ask detailed questions    

Cost - $150 per person

Advanced Courses
​Continuing education for suitably qualified professionals who want detailed training on how to complete assessments in accordance with the National Environmental Standard.
PSI 301 - Preliminary Site Investigation and Reporting     

Please contact us for further information.

Duration - 2 days

Cost - $900 per person
FS 301 - Feasibility Study - Site Remediation Planning 

Please contact us for further information.

Duration - 2 days

Cost - $900 per person
HHRA 301 - Human Health Risk Assessment        

​Please contact us for further information.

Duration - 2 days

Cost - $900 per person