| 45 REGIONAL Landform Projects OPEN WEEKDAYS WWW.GREENLINC.CO.NZ • Irrigation wells • Potable water supplies • Redevelopment of wells • Geotechical assessment 03 0324 2571 • www.drilling.co.nz Drilling successful water bores throughout NZ since 1947 T T Russell Fredric Preparing the groundwork... The company has more than 50 years of combined experience in geotechnical testing and site investigation, working across New Zealand including the Chatham Islands. Landform Projects is helping clients understand what’s beneath the surface, combining practical site investigation with modern spatial technology to support smarter decisions before construction begins. Owned by Richard Wise and based in Canterbury, the company has more than 50 years of combined experience in geotechnical testing and site investigation, working across New Zealand including the Chatham Islands. After decades working across Canterbury in various roles, in 2018 Richard saw the opportunity to create a multidisciplinary company that brought geotechnical field testing, site investigation, and geology together under one roof with a focus on the technical aspects, rather than traditional design and engineering consulting. Working directly for property owners, consulting engineers, and local government, Landform assesses ground conditions cost effectively and identifies when more complex engineering input is required. “We know our level. If we find ground that falls outside what we can do under standard conditions, then we have the contacts to bring in a geotechnical engineer for specialist design,” Richard says. “For a lot of houses, sheds and straightforward sites, we can provide the factual report that gets people through the consent process,” he says. Each investigation combines field testing with desktop research. The team uses hand-operated drilling equipment and Scala penetrometer testing to assess soil strength before reviewing geological information and producing a report confirming whether standard foundations are suitable or further foundation design or specialist input is needed. Landform has significantly expanded its geospatial capability. GIS mapping, GPS survey data, LiDAR and publicly available geological databases now complement traditional fieldwork, allowing the team to produce detailed topographical mapping, cross-sections and visual datasets that improve both reporting accuracy and interpretation. “It’s not so much what data exists; it’s the fact it’s now available. We can access information through Land Information New Zealand, the New Zealand Geotechnical Society and other databases that simply weren’t there when I started. “Having those resources at our fingertips gives us much better insight into a site before we arrive.” “Our focus is on the job. What are the risks? What are the barriers to the project progressing, and how can we help cut through those barriers by providing good factual information about the site.” LiDAR has become particularly valuable for understanding landforms and identifying features that influence development. Combined with Landform’s RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) survey capability, it provides detailed terrain information, helping interpret hillsides, identify hazards and assess ground movement following the Canterbury earthquakes. Rather than chasing technology for its own sake, Richard sees digital tools as improving decision-making. While artificial intelligence has yet to play a significant role in the company’s day-to-day work, he believes its greatest potential lies in processing large datasets rather than replacing practical field investigation. “At the end of the day we’re very much hands-on, and our focus is providing good factual information about a site so people can make informed decisions.” That practical focus underpins Landform’s point of difference. The priority is about identifying the risks that could delay a project and helping clients understand the best path forward, whether that’s work Landform undertakes itself or referring them to another specialist. “Our focus is on the job. What are the risks? What are the barriers to the project progressing, and how can we help cut through those barriers by providing good factual information about the site?” Alongside leading Landform Projects, Richard lectures part-time in geology at Ara Institute of Canterbury. With a small, experienced team and an open-door approach to mentoring, he sees developing the next generation of geotechnical professionals as a vitally important part of the business.
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