NZHS Technical Workshop
Programme
Back to Basics: Core Principles for a New Era
The New Zealand Hydrological Society is excited to invite you to the 2026 Technical Workshop to be held at Shantytown, Greymouth from March 24th – 26th 2026.
Over three days, attendees will hear from a number of members of the environmental monitoring industry on a range of relevant subjects, as well as participate in either the annual Data Workshop or the Field Day/Gauging Regatta.
This workshop provides a unique opportunity for environmental monitoring professionals and industry suppliers to network, learn from each other about their profession, promote products, and share knowledge and experiences to representatives from all over New Zealand. All practitioners with an interest in the profession of environmental monitoring are welcome. We look forward to seeing you on the West Coast this coming March.
Programme Overview
Tuesday 24th March - Technical Workshop
Formal workshop presentations from submitted abstracts starting at 9am.
Exhibitor/trade stand presentations will be held in the afternoon, followed by the field day/gauging regatta briefing.
Everyone is invited to attend the official Social Event in Greymouth from 5pm - at Monteiths Brewery, 60 Herbert Street, Greymouth
Wednesday 25th March - Field Day Options
Attendees can choose between attending the Data Day OR the Gauging regatta.
GAUGING REGATTA
This is an opportunity for organisations to field validate their instruments on a common section, and for new technologies to be explored and demonstrated in the field.
Option 1.Gauging regatta | Hokitika Gorge 9:30am -1pm
BUS DEPARTURE TIMES
departing Greymouth Train Station at 8am
departing Ashley Hotel at 8:15am
departing Hokitika (2 Railway Terrace) at 8.45am.
The Bus will return to Shantytown by 2.30pm for the workshops.
Annual flow gauging regatta Site Map link: Hokitika Gorge - CLICK THE LINK TO SEE A MAP
Bringing your own Vehicle?
There is plenty of parking at the Hokitika Gorge car park, within a short walk to the gauging locations.
There will be a clearly marked path from the carpark to the gauging location - it will be obvious!
The General Vibe
We have selected the Hokitika River at Gorge site as our gauging location as it not only provides a beautiful backdrop for the day but allows us to host a range of environments for different gauging methodologies.
The main location is host to the main river, suitable for all manner of boat operations, while also in close proximity to Granite Creek – allowing for Flow Tracker and Streampro gauging.
Upstream is a swing bridge which can be used for Radar gun gauging and there may even be a dilution gauging involved too. So plenty of opportunity to look around and learn if you want.
We are currently working with DoC to approve drone flights for STIV gauging and will have a pre collected cross section data for those interested in these methods.
Gauging Equipment
For those with gear, please drop this off at the main site, quickly unload your equipment then move your vehicle to the main car park.
Clear instructions will be given at the end of Tuesdays presentation - so listen out!
We will have a check clean dry station to give any equipment a final scrub down but please follow your internal SOP’s regarding cleaning equipment between Rivers and Catchments.
Regatta field day river flows will be low and wadable, so please bring your FlowTrackers, RSQ and StreamPro’s for comparisons. Two taglines will be set up for wading purposes – bring your own waders.
Food
WCRC will be manning a BBQ with a few West Coast treats to keep you all fed (dietary requirements identified will also be catered for).
Cold drinks will be present in Chilli bins and a means for boiling water to enjoy some West Coast Roasts Coffee / tea will also be provided.
There will be marquees on site, with some chairs, to keep the sun off.
For those of you who require a more refined coffee, please pick one up in Hokitika on your way to the site. Please BYO water bottle.
Option 2. Data Day | 9am-2pm at Shantytown
A mixture of presentations and group discussions on relevant environmental data topics, such as continuous water quality data, community based environmental monitoring, data delivery, data quality and more.
Water Quality workshop and trade stand demo’s | 2.30pm Shantytown
This workshop follows the optional activities on Wednesday
Thursday 26th March - Technical Workshop
Full day of formal workshop presentations from submitted abstracts.
Workshop Dinner & Drinks at Shantytown - please note change of dinner venue
Prizegiving will be held at the Workshop Dinner.
Transport to and from the dinner venue will be provided from Greymouth at the following times:
Bus departs Greymouth Train station - new times TBC
The next pick up will be at The Ashley Hotel - new times TBC
Departure from Shantytown will be at
-
12am - midnight: stopping at The Ashley Hotel (Greymouth) and The Greymouth Train Station