In February, Earth Sciences NZ staff at both the Greta Point and Avalon sites welcomed 30 Pacific professionals from 11 countries for science presentations, in-person tours and technical discussion as part of a four-week short course on Infrastructure Project Management delivered through Victoria University with support from MFAT.
Participants, emerging leaders and practitioners from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, have since completed intensive training designed to strengthen planning, procurement, contract management, risk assessment, and leadership skills for major infrastructure projects across the region.
The visits to Earth Sciences NZ connected theory with real‑world practice. Teams across both sites showcased how a large infrastructure and science organisation plans, delivers, and maintains complex national assets, while maintaining a strong safety culture and effective stakeholder engagement. Demonstrations and discussions highlighted the importance of reliable environmental data, seismic and wind-resistant design, climate-proofing infrastructure, and collaborative approaches to delivering long‑term infrastructure outcomes.
The session also strengthened people‑to‑people links between Earth Science NZ, Victoria University and Pacific partners - supporting capability development and deepening regional connections that underpin resilient infrastructure across the Blue Pacific.
Pacific tour groups visit the National Geohazards Monitoring Centre at Avalon (left) and the Marine Deployments Workshop at Greta Point (right).