NIWA offers a range of courses, presented at different venues according to need and the level of interest.
They can also include in-house training on the premises of the agency requiring the course.
The NIWA training courses available are listed below.
The courses are only held if there is sufficient demand (e.g. electric fishing has a minimum of six people). NIWA also runs courses on request tailored to your needs. If your organisation has specific training needs please email enquiries@niwa.co.nz, to discuss them.
For training to meet Worksafe NZ’s Scientific Diving standards we suggest visiting https://adas.org.au/
To express your interest in one of the courses below, or make suggestions for other potential course topics, please email us.
Training courses NIWA can offer
- Identifying wetland sedges and rushes
- Identifying aquatic macrophytes
- Electric fishing for machine operators
- Electric fishing for machine operators - refresher
- Targeted riparian management
Upcoming courses:
Targeted Riparian Management course
We’re pleased to let you know that an ESNZ (formerly NIWA) Targeted Riparian Management Course is being offered in mid-December. The details are:
Date & location: Wed 9 – Thurs 10 December 2026, Hamilton.
- Day 1 will run from 9 am – 4:30 pm at ENSZ Hamilton, Gate 10 Silverdale Rd, Hillcrest. Visitor parking is available.
- Day 2 will start at ESNZ Hamilton at 8:30 am and end at the Whatawhata Research Station by 3 pm.
Programme:
The full course programme includes:
- A short (4 question) pre-course survey so we understand participant’s goals for the course.
- A 2-day full-time course run by two ESNZ scientists.
- Course materials - including RMC function presentation slides, RMC field & reference manuals and suggested reading list.
About:
The course will be run by two scientists from ESNZ’s Healthy Freshwaters Flagship – Lucy McKergow and Elizabeth Graham.
Lucy is a Land and Water Scientist at ESNZ Hamilton and undertakes water quality research in pastoral landscapes, focused on seepage wetlands and catchment water quality & hydrology. She has previously worked as a university lecturer and has presented/co-presented NIWA’s Targeted Riparian Management course since 2007.
Elizabeth is a Freshwater Ecologist at ESNZ Hamilton. She researches the effects of land use change and restoration on stream health and invertebrate communities. Elizabeth has co-presented the Targeted Riparian Management course numerous times since 2021.
Andrew Hughes (Land and Water Scientist) will join us at Whatawhata to talk about the ICM programme and research findings. Andrew manages the water quality and hydrology research at the Whatawhata Research Station.
Cost: $2,200 NZD (excl. GST). The fee includes catering, return transport to Whatawhata, and course workbooks. Payment can be made by credit card, bank transfer or purchase order (details will be supplied by email after registration).
Catering: Catering includes lunches and morning/afternoon teas. Special dietary requirements can be entered during registration.
The fine print:
- If fewer than 10 people have registered by 4 Dec 2026 the course will not go ahead. If you are booking travel or accommodation please consider the provider’s cancellation policy.
- If either Lucy or Elizabeth are unavailable due to ill health, injury or bereavement the course will be postponed.
- The course programme may be re-arranged depending on the weather forecast.
- If the course is cancelled or postponed any fees paid in advance will be refunded in full.
- The course is capped at 12 participants.
To register: Please complete this form - ESNZ Targeted Riparian Management Course - Registration - Hamilton Dec 2026