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Geotechnical guidance

These geotechnical guidelines have been developed by MBIE and a number of collaborators in order to assist and educate geotechnical professionals on earthquake geotechnical engineering practices.

Earthquake geotechnical engineering practice series

MBIE has partnered with the New Zealand Geotechnical Society (NZGS) and Engineering New Zealand to develop a series of earthquake geotechnical engineering guidelines (in the form of modules). The Practice Series is issued as section 175 guidance under the Building Act (2004) and summarises current best practice in earthquake geotechnical engineering with a focus on New Zealand conditions, regulatory framework, and practice.

The main purpose of the guidelines is to improve engineering practice and increase the seismic performance of buildings and infrastructure.

The guidelines have been prepared, primarily, for the use of practising geotechnical engineers but may be of interest to other engineers and council officials.

Other geotechnical guidance

Geotechnical education

Build your knowledge with education resources that support the geotechnical guidance.

Geotechnical education

New Zealand Geotechnical Society

The New Zealand Geotechnical Society is the affiliated organisation in New Zealand of the international societies representing practitioners in soil mechanics, rock mechanics and engineering geology.

New Zealand Geotechnical Society (NZGS)

This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people: