Is Your Land Contaminated? Here’s What You Need to Know
Contaminated land is more common in New Zealand than you might think.
Old petrol stations, orchards, sheep dips, industrial sites, timber treatment yards, many of these have left a legacy of soil and groundwater contamination that still lingers today. As a result, whether you're developing a new residential subdivision or simply applying for a building consent, you may be required to prove your land is safe.
That’s where Verum Group comes in.
We’re environmental scientists and consultants who specialise in contaminated site investigations across Aotearoa. From preliminary assessments to full remediation plans, we help property developers, landowners, and local councils navigate complex compliance processes and get projects moving.
What Makes a Site “Contaminated”?
A contaminated site is land where hazardous substances are present at levels that may pose risks to human health or the environment. These substances include:
Heavy metals (like arsenic, lead, or cadmium)
Petroleum hydrocarbons from fuel leaks
Asbestos from historic building materials
Agricultural chemicals and pesticides
Solvents or industrial chemicals
Often, contamination isn’t visible, it’s what’s beneath the surface that matters. That’s why professional soil testing and site investigation are crucial.
Why It Matters: Development, Compliance, and Risk
Under the National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil (NES-CS), councils are required to ensure contaminated land is properly assessed and managed before it's developed or disturbed.
If your property is on or near a Hazardous Activities and Industries List (HAIL) site, you may need to provide:
A Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI)
A Detailed Site Investigation (DSI)
Or, in some cases, a Remediation Action Plan (RAP)
Delays in identifying contamination can stall resource consent applications, drive up project costs, and even affect your ability to sell the property. That’s why it pays to start early.
How Verum Group Helps: From Soil Testing to Site Remediation
Verum Group provides a full suite of contaminated land services, all tailored to New Zealand conditions and council regulations. We combine scientific expertise, in-house analytical laboratories, and on-the-ground project experience to deliver clear, actionable results.
Our Services Include:
HAIL site assessments and reporting
PSI and DSI (site investigations)
Soil, groundwater, and vapour testing
Contaminant transport modelling
Remediation planning and project management
Validation testing post-remediation
Compliance support for NES-CS and regional rules
Whether you need a desktop study, field sampling, or full-scale remediation, we have the technical capability and regulatory know-how to support your project from start to finish.
Real-World Results, Nationwide
Our work supports:
Property developers preparing residential or mixed-use subdivisions
Councils and government agencies managing public infrastructure projects
Private landowners looking to develop or sell affected land
Commercial operators needing to manage legacy contamination from historic land use
Our projects span urban centres, rural regions, and coastal areas, ensuring consistent environmental outcomes wherever you are in the country.
Why Choose Verum Group?
Verum Group is more than just a consultancy, we’re scientists, engineers, and researchers with a strong track record in environmental testing and remediation. What sets us apart:
We own and operate our own laboratories, results are faster, more accurate, and cost-effective
We deliver science-led solutions with practical, real-world outcomes
We speak council, and we help you navigate consent processes
We work across New Zealand, from city blocks to rural paddocks
Our goal is simple: to help you understand your land, reduce environmental risk, and unlock development potential with confidence.
Talk to the Experts
If you think your site may be contaminated, or if you're not sure whether you need a PSI or DSI, reach out to our team. We’ll guide you through the process and help you meet your legal obligations with minimal stress and maximum clarity.