Why Study / Key Benefits

Bridges are important infrastructure assets that require regular assessment and maintenance to remain safe and operational throughout their design life.

Key benefits of this course include:

• Develops an understanding of bridge inspection and maintenance principles.

• Explains how to identify defects and assess the condition of common bridge materials.

• Builds knowledge of maintenance planning and repair procedures.

• Covers corrosion, durability and environmental factors affecting bridge structures.

• Explains how floods, earthquakes, waterway conditions and drainage can affect bridges.

• Develops an understanding of asset management and economic evaluation.

• Helps participants prioritise maintenance work and recognise potential bridge failures.

• Introduces the application of New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) bridge inspection and maintenance guidance.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The two-day course focuses on bridge condition assessment, maintenance planning, repair procedures and asset management.

The official brochure lists the following subjects:

• Asset management systems.

• Bridge inspection procedures.

• Condition assessment for common bridge materials.

• Repair procedures.

• Coatings for steel structures.

• Economic evaluation.

• Durability and maintenance of bridge materials.

• Bridge maintenance requirements.

• Waterway and drainage issues.

• Seismic damage and its effects on bridges.

 

Learning outcomes

On completion, participants are expected to develop the ability to:

• Identify the principles of bridge inspection and maintenance.

• Understand how bridge inspections are undertaken under supervision.

• Recognise the importance of the corrosion environment surrounding structures.

• Understand administration and asset-management systems.

• Apply NZ Transport Agency policy when inspecting and evaluating bridge conditions.

• Detect defects and recognise potential instances of bridge failure.

• Prepare repair procedures under supervision.

• Prioritise bridge maintenance requirements effectively.

• Understand ways to improve the durability of materials used in bridge construction.

Important practical limitation

Although the learning outcomes refer to inspection activities, the course is classroom-based and does not include practical bridge inspections. The course also does not provide the certification needed to inspect NZTA bridges independently.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The course is relevant to the following engineering and infrastructure disciplines:

• Civil engineering.

• Structural engineering.

• Bridge engineering.

• Highway and transportation engineering.

• Infrastructure asset management.

• Bridge inspection and condition assessment.

• Bridge maintenance and repair.

• Corrosion protection and materials durability.

• Road and transport infrastructure maintenance.

• Seismic and environmental infrastructure assessment.

Programme Highlights

• Two-day specialist bridge maintenance training.

• Delivered through NZIHT, which is part of WITT.

• Two published 2027 locations: Auckland and Christchurch.

• Presenter: Dewi Todd-Jones.

• Covers bridge inspection principles and condition assessment.

• Includes repair procedures and maintenance planning.

• Covers steel coatings, corrosion and durability.

• Explains the effects of floods, earthquakes, waterway conditions and drainage.

• Includes asset management systems and economic evaluation.

• Uses the NZTA Bridge Inspection and Maintenance Manual as its main reference.

• Designed for engineers, inspectors, technical staff and asset managers.

• Minimum participant numbers apply before the course is confirmed.

Career Outcomes

The course is designed to strengthen the knowledge of people already working in civil engineering, structural engineering, bridge maintenance and infrastructure management.

Relevant professional roles include:

• Bridge maintenance engineer.

• Civil engineer.

• Structural engineering technician.

• Bridge inspection support professional.

• Infrastructure asset management professional.

• Road maintenance engineer.

• Highway engineering technician.

• Bridge maintenance supervisor.

• Infrastructure technical officer.

• Engineering consultant involved in bridge maintenance.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The latest official brochure was updated on 21 October 2026.

Current course information:

• Duration: 2 days.

• Presenter: Dewi Todd-Jones.

• International fee: NZD 1,495 per person plus GST.

• Auckland intake: 24 February 2027.

• Christchurch intake: 17 March 2027.

Special requirements and limitations:

• Participants should bring or have access to the NZTA Bridge Inspection and Maintenance Manual, Revised Edition 2001, Code SP/M/016.

• At least one copy of the manual should be available for each participating organisation.

• The course is entirely classroom-based.

• It does not include actual bridge inspections.

• Completion does not certify participants to inspect NZTA bridges.

• The separate NZIHT bridge inspection course is required for the inspection training pathway.

• Minimum participant numbers apply before the course is confirmed.

International Student Visa Requirements

The course lasts two days. Immigration New Zealand allows visitors holding an appropriate Visitor Visa, or eligible visa-waiver visitors travelling with an NZeTA, to study one or more short courses for a total of up to three months within the relevant 12-month period.

For international participants:

• A Visitor Visa or eligible visa-waiver travel arrangement may be appropriate for this two-day course, subject to the participant's individual circumstances.

• A student visa is generally required for study lasting more than three months.

• A Visitor Visa does not provide general employment rights in New Zealand.

• Applicants must meet the relevant visitor requirements, including genuine visitor intentions, health and character requirements, and sufficient funds or acceptable sponsorship.

• Course registration does not guarantee visa approval.

For applicants travelling on an Indian passport

• Indian passport holders generally need to obtain a New Zealand Visitor Visa before travelling because India is not on the visa-waiver list.

• Applicants should provide the documents required by Immigration New Zealand, which may include evidence of funds, travel plans, accommodation and the purpose of the visit.

• The appropriate visa and supporting evidence depend on the applicant's circumstances.

Student visa consideration

A Fee Paying Student Visa would not normally be required solely for this two-day course if the participant meets the visitor-study conditions. If an applicant intends to undertake additional study in New Zealand, the total period of study and their visa conditions must be considered.