NZ Sports Turf Institute

24/08/2026

It is that time again: the latest is nearly ready to share and features part two of our 'Managing' Extreme weather series.

There is a good cross-section of field-tested expertise and practical advice for
professionals from either a natural or an artificial turf background! 📩

What can you read in this edition?
• Part Two: Managing Weather Extremes: Bunkers, with Alex Glasgow & David Ormsby, NZ Sports Turf Institute
• Organic Matter Testing: Are You Using the Correct Test for Your Decision-Making? with Gerard Wech & David Howard, NZ Sports Turf Institute
• Surface Moisture Management: A key to Quality and Consistency in the IPL - Indian Premier League India, with Anuj Sharma, Labosport India
• Measuring Turf Stability: The Development of a New Shear Test Device for Natural and Hybrid Sports Pitches with Paul Fleming, Loughborough University
• Take-All Patch Disease: a Re-emerging Problem with David Howard and David Ormsby, NZ Sports Turf Institute

📌 If you haven’t already, click the link to the free subscription and receive the full edition and all future copies directly to your inbox - which is now monthly!

While you are there, take a look through some of the recent back issues in the bookcase at https://www.nzsti.co.nz/turf-digital/

If there are other topics you would like us to write about, let us know in the comments below 👇

05/08/2026

Another week, and another group of apprentices getting to visit a variety of sports turf surfaces to compare the similarities and differences in managing each of these.

Thanks to Niko Weerakoon, Eden Park, Raymond Hamilton, Ellerslie, and Mark Ho**er, Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club, each for giving up their time and sharing their experiences with the next generation.

30/07/2026

It is that time again, but this edition is a little more special as it marks forty years since the 'Institute' embarked on this publishing journey, a remarkable milestone for any industry publication. Since the first edition, we continue to do what we have always set out to do: share practical knowledge, report on research, discuss common problems and support those responsible for maintaining turf used for recreation and sport.
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What can you read in this edition?
• Behind the scenes: The construction of One NZ Stadium an interview with Dr Richard Gibbs, Greenspace 4D and Ian McKendry, Christchurch City Council
• Data, Detail and Teamwork: Managing Turf at a World Cup Standard by Matt Fisher, Labosport Australasia
• Redefining Performance Standards for Football Playing Surfaces with Michael Thelwell, Labosport
• R&A Certificate in Greenkeeping Launch in Vietnam with Lindsay Robertson, NZ Sports Turf Institute
• Weather Extremes: 15 Ways to Become Resilient with Dave Ormsby and Alex Glasgow, NZ Sports Turf Institute
• Not all is as It Seems: Consider Soil Sampling for Better Decision Making with David Howard and Dave Ormsby, NZ Sports Turf Institute

📌 If you haven’t already, click the link to the free subscription and receive the full edition and all future copies directly to your inbox - which is now monthly!

While you are there take a look through some of the recent back issues https://www.nzsti.co.nz/turf-digital/ See less

23/07/2026

A popular aspect of our Apprenticeship programme is the 'Surfaces' module where learners get to visit Turf Venues and discuss with the Turf Manager the management techniques employed on that site. They then take that information and analyse the differences and similarities of preparing the turf surfaces for their given sport or sports.

One of sites the learners got to visit this week was Mount Smart Stadium and discuss with Mark Perham the different management techniques employed, especially the number 1 field given that it is the home ground to both the One NZ Warriors and Auckland FC.

We are always grateful for the access to venues like this and especially the time senior Turf Managers in our industry share with the learners.

30/06/2026

It is that time again, the latest Turf Digital is ready to share, and features 'Predicting Shade Problems'.

Whilst this edition features several golf related related articles there is also plenty of field tested expertise and practical advice for turf professionals from either a natural or an artificial turf background! 📩

What can you read in this edition?
• Predicting Shade Problems with David Howard, NZ Sports Turf Institute
• Choosing Cart Path Materials with Brian Gietka, CGCS, United States Golf Association - USGA Green Section
• Browntop Bentgrass Breeding: A New Zealand Perspective with Will Bowden, PGG Wrightson Turf
• Shear Resistance in Natural Turf: Understanding and Managing Surface Stability with Charles Owen, Labosport Asia
• Advancing Standards: Insights from the 2026 China Sports Show with Zhou Jieling, Labosport Asia

📌 If you haven’t already, click the link to the free subscription and receive the full edition and all future copies directly to your inbox - which is now monthly!

While you are there take a look through some of the recent back issues https://www.nzsti.co.nz/turf-digital/

29/06/2026

NZSTI Auckland is officially packing up the boxes and heading to a fresh new location!

From 1st July, 2026, our new office will be at:
📍 Unit 4, 16 Alpito Place, Pukekohe 2120

Please update your records, and feel free to pop in any time.
Note: All our contact phone numbers will remain the same.

Send a message to learn more

23/06/2026

A feature of our apprenticeship programme is visiting several sports turf environments and comparing the performance characteristics and management techniques.

A thank you to each of the Turf Managers giving up their time an experience including Kiel Stechman, and Andy May .

We would also like to thank Doug Linde, visiting professor from DelVal Turf Program for contributing to the experience.

29/05/2026

29/05/2026

We have been busy in the month of May training the future generations of turf managers. Here are four course samples from the nine regional courses or 36 training days we have delivered this month.

To the six level 3 groups across the country, welcome to the industry, apply yourself and you will succeed.

To the three level 4B groups, congratulations on reaching the end of your contact courses, the end is insight. Keep submitting those assessments and keep on top of your on-jobs and you will be fully qualified in no time.

27/05/2026

It is that time again, the latest Turf Digital is ready to share, and features, the 'Lay and Play' turf system and Stadium LED Lighting.

Whilst this edition features two stadium related articles there is also plenty of field tested expertise and practical advice for turf professionals from either a natural or an artificial turf background!
📩
What can you read in this edition?
• Lay and Play: from Farm to Final Whistle with Keith McAuliffe, Labosport Australasia
• LED Sports Lighting: Visibility to Performance Engineering with Eric CHAUVIN, Labosport France
• Part Two of an Artificial Football Turf Replacement with Alex Glasgow, NZ Sports Turf Institute
• Design & Build Contracts: The Devil is in the Details with David Ormsby, NZ Sports Turf Institute
• Sclerotinia Minor can be a Real Problem in Late Autumn with David Howard and David Ormsby, NZ Sports Turf Institute

📌 If you haven’t already, click the link to the free subscription and receive the full edition and all future copies directly to your inbox - which is now monthly!

While you are there take a look through some of the recent back issues https://www.nzsti.co.nz/turf-digital/

If there are other topics you would like us to write, Let us know in the comments below 👇