The Risk Management System and Natural Hazard Management
Sharpen you skills in developing policy and briefs that influence government and industry leaders to respond and adapt to natural hazard risk and impact.
Blended
06 Jul 2026 | Online + Wellington/Online Workshops
Can’t make these dates or want a private course?
Course overview
This micro-credential develops familiarity with New Zealand’s risk management system including legislative roles and responsibilities, international obligations, and the use of risk-based policy and planning tools.
Learners develop a comprehensive understanding of the system’s architecture — the roles of central and local government, the legislative framework, the relationship between land use planning and other risk reduction mechanisms, and the international context within which New Zealand operates.
This course is one of three micro-credentials that make up the Masters paper GEOS404: Natural Hazards Policy and Planning
Second micro-credential: Natural Hazards Planning and Policy in Practice
Third micro-credential: Challenges and Opportunities in the Risk Management System
Image attribution – Photo by Sophie Turner on Unsplash
What you'll learn
1. Explain the components of the broader natural hazard risk management system and the role of land use planning within it.
2. Explain the current legislative and institutional framework for managing natural hazard risk in Aotearoa New Zealand, including international obligations and domestic governance arrangements.
3. Critique how planning policy is developed and implemented in practice (including reform directions), using case examples to identify drivers of different outcomes.
4. Apply risk-based planning concepts, including risk tolerance, to design defensible policy and planning responses for natural hazards.
Course modules
Week 1: National and International Responsibilities
Week 2: Natural Hazard Management in New Zealand
Week 3: Implementation – How We Plan
Week 4: Risk Tolerance
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:
- Create a natural hazard policy brief for a central government minister – 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
06 Jul 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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