Why Study/Key Benefits

• Develops practical knowledge of chipseal design and the factors affecting road-surface performance.

• Helps participants assess road-surfacing needs and select suitable chipseal treatments.

• Builds understanding of binder application rates, chip application rates and pre-seal treatments.

• Explains how local road conditions influence chipseal design and performance.

• Includes worked design examples and group problem-solving activities.

• Covers the application of NZTA Specification P18:2025, Specification for the Design of Chip Seals, and the practical application of the P17 performance-based specification.

• Suitable for local-authority personnel, road contractors, consultants and experienced road-surfacing practitioners who want to update their technical knowledge.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The course focuses on the design, selection, construction and performance of chipseal road surfacing.

Published topics include:

- Road-surface engineering:

• Understanding stresses on road surfaces.

• Basic principles of skid resistance.

• Assessing chipsealing needs.

• Identifying the conditions that influence seal performance.

- Treatment selection and design:

• Design processes and available options.

• Selection of appropriate surfacing treatments.

• Pre-seal treatments.

• Identifying and addressing adhesion issues.

• Worked chipseal design exercises.

- Binder and aggregate application:

• Determining appropriate binder application rates.

• Calculating hot binder spray rates.

• Calculating chip application rates.

• Understanding the influence of road-surfacing materials on performance.

- Construction processes:

• Plant and equipment used in chipsealing construction.

• Construction of first coats and reseals.

• Spray preparation and spraying controls.

• Traffic control and compaction checks.

• Selecting suitable plant for the work and production requirements.

- Defects and quality:

• Analysing surfacing faults and failures.

• Identifying appropriate corrective actions.

• Quality assurance and acceptance measurements.

• Applying acceptance criteria to completed chipseals.

- Specifications and contracts:

• NZTA Specification P18:2025 – Specification for the Design of Chip Seals.

• Accompanying P18 Notes.

• Practical application of NZTA P17 performance-based specifications.

• Contractual responsibilities and procedures for P17 contracts.

• P17 acceptance criteria and acceptance measurements.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The course is focused on civil engineering and road infrastructure, particularly:

• Highway and road-surfacing engineering.

• Chipseal design.

• Road pavement maintenance and rehabilitation.

• Bituminous binder and aggregate application.

• Road construction quality assurance.

• Road-surfacing contract specifications and performance assessment.

Programme Highlights

• Two-day specialist technical course.

• Presenter listed by WITT/NZIHT: Barry Gundersen.

• International fee is published at the same base rate as the domestic fee.

• Uses worked design examples and group problem-solving activities.

• Incorporates NZTA Specification P18:2025 and the P17 performance-based specification.

• Covers technical design calculations and practical construction considerations.

• Intended for local authorities, contractors, consultants and road-surfacing practitioners.

• Minimum participant numbers apply before the course is confirmed.

Career Outcomes

This course is intended to improve the technical capabilities of people already working in road construction, civil engineering or infrastructure maintenance. It is not a qualification that independently establishes eligibility for a regulated profession or a particular job.

Participants should be better equipped to:

• Assess the need for chipseal treatments.

• Understand and undertake chipseal design steps.

• Determine necessary pre-treatments.

• Select appropriate surfacing treatments.

• Calculate binder spray rates and chip application rates.

• Identify suitable plant and equipment for road-surfacing projects.

• Monitor spraying, traffic control and compaction procedures.

• Analyse surfacing faults and recommend corrective action.

• Apply quality-assurance and acceptance criteria.

• Understand P17 contractual responsibilities and performance requirements.

Relevant work environments include:

• Local-authority roading and infrastructure departments.

• Road construction and maintenance contractors.

• Civil engineering consultancies.

• Pavement and surfacing maintenance organisations.

• Road asset-management teams.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• WITT's current course content refers to NZTA Specification P18:2025, Specification for the Design of Chip Seals, and its accompanying notes.

• The course also covers practical application of the P17 performance-based specification.

• The downloadable course brochure was last updated on 24 October 2025.

Special preparation:

• Prior knowledge of chipsealing materials is essential.

• Participants who need to refresh their knowledge can consider the separate Chipseal Materials course.

• Completion of Bitumen – Basic Safety within the previous five years is recommended.

• Mathematical ability equivalent to NCEA Level 1 is recommended.

• Participants may find it useful to access the “Chipsealing in New Zealand” textbook, published by the New Zealand Transport Agency in 2006. WITT notes that the book is out of print but a full copy is available through the NZTA website.

International student considerations:

• This course is a two-day professional-development course, not a full-time international academic qualification.

• WITT does not publish a course-specific international-student admission pathway, overseas qualification equivalency requirement or English test score.

• Participants travelling from overseas should confirm whether NZIHT accepts individual international enrolments, whether the course is open to people travelling specifically for this training, and what documentation is required.

Post-study work visa:

• This short course does not provide a post-study work visa pathway.

• It is not a degree or a listed long-term qualification for post-study work visa purposes.

• Completing the course does not create an entitlement to work in New Zealand.

International Student Visa Requirements

Because Chipseal Design lasts only two days, a New Zealand student visa would not normally be required solely for this course.

For a participant travelling from India:

• Indian passport holders generally need a New Zealand Visitor Visa before travelling.

• Immigration New Zealand allows people on a Visitor Visa to study one or more short courses for up to three months in a 12-month period.

• The two-day Chipseal Design course falls within this short-course study limit.

• The visitor visa does not permit employment in New Zealand.

Visitor Visa requirements:

• A valid passport.

• Evidence of the purpose of travel, such as course registration or confirmation from NZIHT.

• Evidence of sufficient funds for the visit or an acceptable sponsor.

• Evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to purchase an onward ticket.

• Evidence of good health and character.

• Genuine reasons for visiting New Zealand.

• Any additional information requested by Immigration New Zealand.

Published Visitor Visa information:

• Cost: from NZD 441.

• Processing time: 80% within two weeks.

• Maximum stay: generally up to six or nine months, depending on the visa granted.

• Study permitted: up to three months in any 12-month period.

• Work rights: no New Zealand employment rights on a standard Visitor Visa.

Important distinction:

• A two-day course does not itself require a Fee Paying Student Visa if the participant is studying under the short-course allowance of a valid Visitor Visa.

• If the participant plans to study for more than three months, a student visa will generally be required.

• Visa approval is not guaranteed by course registration. Participants should obtain the correct visa before travelling and should not make non-refundable travel arrangements until their visa is approved.