Fire risk management workshop - Omihi

Significant El Niño conditions are predicted for the 2026-2027 summer period, which is likely to increase and prolong drought whilst increasing the risk of wildfire across many regions in New Zealand into the next year.

Large wildfire events continue to receive significant media attention and there is increasing awareness amongst landowners of the risk wildfire poses to natural and built assets.

Te Uru Rākau - New Zealand Forest Service are pleased to support a series of practical fire risk management workshops to help prepare rural land managers and landowners to reduce their risk levels. A partnership with Lincoln University and support from Fire and Emergency New Zealand will provide access to nationally recognised wildfire expertise that draws on staff from Lincoln University, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, University of Auckland and other presenters who will workshop the latest science, tools and best practice to improve community capability and resilience.

The workshop schedule is as follows:

9:00 am
Welcome and housekeeping

9.10 am
Fire history and ignition causes, fire ecology
George Perry, University of Auckland

9.40 am
Wildfire 101, weather and fire risks
Darrin Woods, Fire and Emergency New Zealand

10.10 am
Fire mitigation tools, including green firebreaks
Tim Curran, Lincoln University

10.40 am
Morning tea

11.10 am
Short talks covering local perspectives

12.15 pm
Lunch

1.15 pm
Workshops on:

• Interpreting fire weather
  Darrin Woods, Fire and Emergency New Zealand
• Fire management planning
  Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service
• Plant flammability
  Tim Curran, Lincoln University

2.45 pm
Wrap up

RSVP to: Evan.Davies@mpi.govt.nz