Please register as soon as possible. Payment can be made at a later date, but registration is necessary (preferably before 1 December 2025).
Fieldwork plays a big part in geological studies. Our department values field experiences right from the start with a number of day trips and outings in our 100-level papers. At 200- and 300-level, our multi-day field schools provide a chance for our students to build on the knowledge and skills learned in lectures, labs and other study. These skills are enhanced further by our Nauman Fund-sponsored field expeditions at 300- and 400-level.
Field school dates
Note that GEOL 344 and GEOL 252 field schools start in February before the start of semester 1.
New international students in these papers will need to make sure they arrive in New Zealand prior to pre-semester field trip departure.
For more information on arriving for study early, please contact:
Email international.orientation@otago.ac.nz
Dates for 2026
GEOL 344 Advanced Field Studies
Confirmed dates are:
- 2 February – Compulsory meeting
- 3–5 February – Catlins field school – day trips from Dunedin
- 6 February – Waitangi Day (Friday)
- 10 or 11 February – Compulsory first aid course (Dunedin)
- 12–20 February – Waianakarua field school (North Otago)
- 23 February – Semester 1 begins
GEOL 252 Introduction to field mapping
- 16 February – Pre-field school meeting (will be timetabled)
- 17–22 February – Maerewhenua field school
- 23 February – Semester 1 begins
- 28 March–2 April – Borland field school
- 3 April – Mid-semester break begins (Good Friday)
General information
The field schools outlined on this page are run as part of our core papers (courses). You can find more details on the web page for each paper.
Some of the optional papers in Geology at 200- and 300-level also involve field work at weekends. Details will be sent to students as early as possible. If you have a clash between field requirements for different papers, please discuss matters with us as soon as possible.
Field trips are usually compulsory. Normally, students may be exempted from field trips only on the grounds of illness (as documented by a medical certificate), or a death in the immediate family, or representing New Zealand in a cultural, sporting, educational or scientific event.
Registration and payment
Register your intentions and provide us with important information that we need to make your field trip comfortable. Please do this as soon as possible.
To make your payment, please select the paper code below. Please ensure you register first and then make payment to your selected field trip.
Cancellation policy
We require at least two weeks' notice, prior to the start of the field trip, of any cancellation. Students who cancel within two weeks will be required to pay for the trip and no refund will be given (except in exceptional circumstances).
Nauman field trips
Through the generosity of Clynt and Jan Nauman, the Nauman Fund supports extended field trips at 300-level and at the postgraduate level. These trips provide our students with an opportunity to build and develop field mapping skills. For those in GEOL 353 and GEOL 401/403, components of assessment will be undertaken during the trips. All costs are covered for these trips.
Upcoming trips 2026
- GEOL353 West Coast field trip
Departing from Dunedin at 8am on Friday, 27 March and returning by 6pm on Tuesday, 31 March
Email david.prior@otago.ac.nz for more information - GEOL401/403 North Island field trip
Currently being planned for the break between semesters 1 and 2. Tentative dates are: Monday 22–Friday 26 June
Email sophie.briggs@otago.ac.nz or andrew.gorman@otago.ac.nz
Fieldwork: What can you expect?
You must attend a Health and Safety briefing before you go on any departmental field trip.
For fieldwork in general, you must be fit and physically agile/able enough to walk unaided for some kilometres on rough ground which may include narrow tracks, gravel banks, river beds and rocky shores – all typical of the New Zealand outdoors. You must have appropriate personal field equipment, including warm waterproof clothing and boots suitable for repeated wetting including stream crossings up to knee deep.
If you seek more details in advance of the start of classes, please contact the teaching staff. More information is generally available on Blackboard/Brightspace.
GEOL 252 Summer Field School gear list (PDF)
GEOL 344 Summer Field School gear list (PDF)
Field school costs
The costs of student field schools, other than for food, are covered by course fees. There is no charge for transport or accommodation. Students pay for or bring their own food for one day trips. Trips longer than a day (with the exception of Nauman Field Trips) have a compulsory charge for food and drink. The approximate food and drink cost for most field trips is NZD$25/full day. Some trips have a pre-determined fixed cost, these are listed below:
- GEOL 252 Field Studies and New Zealand Geology two 5–6 day field trips, total cost – NZD$250.
- GEOL 344 Advanced Field Studies: February camp, total cost – NZD$300.
- Nauman Field Trips: All costs are covered.
Further information
For further information please contact the Geology administrator.
Email geology@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 749 7519