News
Read the latest from our team on the ground along with geotechnical and geophysical news here.
While many head to the Pacific for a winter escape, our Wellington-based Principal Geophysicist Ollie Gibson was excited and privileged to be on the ground in Rarotonga recently, acquiring seismic CPT data to inform the design of developments to the Rarotonga parliament building and the King’s Representative on island.
Working with Websters Drilling (and more than a few roosters!), this project highlights the importance of site-specific seismic data and the value of well-executed ground investigations, no matter the location.
For those working in infrastructure, consider this timely reminder:
/ Ground conditions don’t adjust for location or climate – understanding them early reduces long-term risk.
/ CPT and seismic methods are highly effective in island and coastal environments, where logistics can complicate traditional testing.
/ Success in these environments depends on preparation, specialist expertise, and the ability to adapt without compromise.
We’re proud to support infrastructure outcomes across the Pacific, bringing the same quality, responsiveness, and technical depth we apply in Aotearoa & the Philippines.
If your project needs certainty, wherever it is, the RDCL team are ready.
And maybe we’ll get to bring the snorkelling gear next time!
#RDCL #GeotechnicalEngineering #SeismicTesting #CPT #InfrastructureDevelopment #Transport #Water #Energy #PacificProjects #Rarotonga #GroundRisk #BuildWithCertainty
13 hours ago
RDCL is on the hunt for a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join our Wellington office and play a pivotal role in delivering smart, practical engineering solutions across Aotearoa.
Our team is expanding, and we’re looking for someone who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where people matter and your contribution makes a real impact.
/ Please share if you know someone who could be great for the role!
🔗 Learn More & Apply on Seek: www.seek.co.nz/job/85537784
1 week ago
Meridian Energy’s Harapaki Wind Farm off State Highway 5 in Hawke’s Bay is now fully operational, generating 76MW or 70,000 average households.
RDCL completed several geotechnical risk assessments from 2015 to 2018 for the wind farm, focusing on turbine locations developing a risk matrix for proposed foundation designs.
Being New Zealand’s second largest wind farm, costing close to $450M NZD, the project was delivered in full on time. Our team are proud to be a part of that success.
/ Discover more: www.rdcl.co.nz/projects/harapaki-wind-farm/
#HarapakiWindFarm #GeotechnicalEngineering #RenewableEnergy #WindEnergy #EnergyInfrastructure #ProjectDelivery #SustainableDevelopment #CivilEngineering #MeridianEnergy #NZInfrastructure #CleanEnergy #OnTimeOnBudget
2 weeks ago
Happy International Women in Engineering Day!
Today we celebrate the brilliant women in engineering who are shaping our world and our business – one site investigation, ground model, and geotechnical design at a time.
Your expertise strengthens the ground we build on, and your leadership strengthens the future of our industry.
#INWED2025 #TogetherWeEngineer #RDCL #womeninengineering #geotechnicalengineering #groundbreakingwomen
/ International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) 2025
Meet our incredible team here: www.rdcl.co.nz/staff/
4 weeks ago
In Aotearoa New Zealand, today we are celebrating Matariki 2025 – the first rising of the cluster of stars, also known as Pleiades, marking the Māori New Year.
Matariki symbolises a connection to the natural world, our ancestors and the cycle of life.
As Geotechnical and Geophysical specialists working in environments where people have been living for hundreds of years, we:
/ Respect the history of the land and those that cared for it
/ Embrace what is being proposed for the whenua in the present
/ Consider what might be asked of it in the future.
Ngā mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Māori – Happy Matariki
/ RDCL
4 weeks ago
RDCL expects their teams to work hard, but we also encourage them to have fun!
Our Auckland team got together after work on Monday for an escape room experience, and proceeded to break the time record for the room.
Great to confirm that we only hire the smartest people!
– Derek
4 weeks ago
