Challenges and Opportunities in the Risk Management System
Put yourself at the centre of the natural hazard risk management system in Aotearoa New Zealand and identify opportunities to improve our planning and policy ecosystem in the future.
Blended
14 Sep 2026 | Online + Wellington/Online Workshops
Can’t make these dates or want a private course?
Course overview
This micro-credential develops understanding of institutional and legislative challenges and opportunities in the risk management system as it applies to natural hazards in New Zealand.
Learners synthesise their understanding of the risk management system and applied planning practice to examine the systemic forces, institutional incentives, and market dynamics that shape risk outcomes over time — often in ways that undermine the intentions of well-designed planning and policy.
This course is one of three micro-credentials that make up the Masters paper GEOS404: Natural Hazards Policy and Planning
First micro-credential: The Risk Management System and Natural Hazard Management
Second micro-credential: Natural Hazards Planning and Policy in Practice
Image attribution - Photo by Dan Freeman on Unsplash
What you'll learn
1. Explain how key institutions and incentives (including insurance markets and government settings) shape natural hazard risk outcomes over time.
2. Review and evaluate challenges, constraints, and equity implications in the risk management system, including legacy risk and signals for adaptation or retreat.
3. Critique the interactions between planning, hazard information/disclosure, and insurance availability and affordability, and evaluate the implications for policy.
4. Design coherent policy and planning recommendations to strengthen risk governance, improve outcomes, and reduce maladaptation.
Course modules
Week 1: Insurance
Week 2: Central and Local Government
Week 3: Māori Based Hazard Planning
Week 4: Synthesis
Further Information
Format
This micro-credential is 50 hours of learning over 4 weeks. This includes one 2 hour workshop (online or in person) and one 1 hour tutorial (online) per week, and any online activities of content. It also includes all course readings, assessment preparation, and assessment submission.
Workload and Assessment
This micro-credential involves approximately 50 hours of total learning, including self-paced online modules, live sessions, and application tasks.
Assessment is comprised of:
-
Design a better risk management system for Aotearoa New Zealand – 1700 words or equivalent.
All assessment requirements must be completed to pass and earn credit.
What You’ll Receive
This course is a university-approved micro-credential worth 5 NZQA Level 8 credits, assessed to meet academic and industry standards. Upon successful completion, you will receive:
- A digital badge
- A digital certificate
- Academic credit recorded on your official Victoria University of Wellington academic transcript
All credentials include the total CPD/PLD hours completed.
University credits achieved may be used through ‘credit transfer’ to stack towards future qualifications. These digital credentials are portable, verifiable, and designed to support both your current role and long-term career advancement.
What is a micro-credential?
A micro-credential is a formal credential that acknowledges specific skills and knowledge gained through learning programme or activity. These credentials are assessed and meet industry standards, allowing you to demonstrate mastery in particular areas. Our micro-credentials carry University credit at defined level (eg undergraduate or postgraduate) and credit may be used towards further learning. Micro-credentials are designed to be stackable, creating a pathway to further qualifications or career advancement.
Upcoming Courses & Delivery Options
14 Sep 2026 | Online + Wellington/Online Workshops
Duration: 4 weeks
$NZD 995
excl. GST
Can’t make these dates or want a private course?
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