At Drillcore, we provide specialist drilling services to support geotechnical, environmental, geothermal, infrastructure and development projects throughout New Zealand. Combining experienced personnel, modern drilling equipment and a commitment to safety and quality, we deliver reliable subsurface information and monitoring solutions that help our clients make informed decisions.
Whether your project requires geotechnical investigation, environmental assessment, geothermal monitoring or long-term instrumentation installation, our team has the expertise and equipment to deliver practical and dependable results.
Drillcore Limited offers a comprehensive range of advanced drilling and in-situ testing capabilities suited to complex and specialised ground investigation projects. Our fleet includes HQ and PQ rotary drilling systems, enabling high-quality core recovery in a wide range of ground conditions, including hard rock and geothermal environments where sample integrity is critical. In addition, Drillcore operates sonic drilling technology, which provides continuous, high-quality sampling with minimal disturbance, particularly valuable in unconsolidated or mixed ground conditions.
We also undertake Cone Penetration Testing with pore pressure measurement (CPTu), delivering detailed geotechnical profiling and real-time data for accurate ground characterisation. Supporting these methods is a diverse range of specialised drilling rigs, allowing us to tailor our approach to site constraints, access limitations and project-specific requirements. This versatility ensures Drillcore can deliver reliable, high-quality data across a broad spectrum of geotechnical and geothermal investigation projects.
Environmental investigations require precision, reliability and strict contamination control procedures. Drillcore provides environmental drilling services that support contaminated land investigations, groundwater assessments and environmental monitoring.
Our team understands the importance of sample integrity and works closely with environmental consultants and regulatory authorities to ensure drilling activities are undertaken in accordance with project requirements and industry best practice.
Drillcore Limited is ideally positioned to undertake geothermal investigations throughout Rotorua and the wider Central North Island, with extensive local experience working in challenging geothermal ground conditions. Our team understands the unique risks associated with geothermal environments, including elevated temperatures, hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), unstable ground conditions and geothermal fluids, and has developed specialist procedures and controls to manage these hazards safely.
Drillcore has established professional relationships with WorkSafe New Zealand and local authorities, including Rotorua Lakes Council, providing confidence that projects are planned and undertaken with a strong understanding of regulatory and site-specific requirements. Importantly, Drillcore maintains the specialist health, safety and technical capability required for geothermal investigations in-house, including H₂S monitoring and emergency response systems, specialist PPE, gas detection, geothermal drilling procedures, trained personnel and project-specific risk management.
This combination of local knowledge, specialist equipment, experienced personnel and strong regulatory relationships makes Drillcore a reliable and experienced choice for safely delivering geothermal investigations in and around Rotorua.
Drillcore holds a Geothermal Bore Manager Licence, allowing us to manage geothermal drilling projects from planning through to completion. This capability enables us to oversee the entire drilling process internally, reducing the need for third-party coordination and creating greater efficiency for our clients.
By managing bore operations in-house, we can:
This integrated approach allows us to deliver geothermal projects more efficiently while maintaining the high standards our clients expect.
Drillcore Limited has the experience, equipment and technical capability to undertake a wide range of geotechnical and groundwater monitoring installations and maintenance works. Our experienced drilling teams can install and develop monitoring wells and piezometers to the required depths and specifications, including vibrating wire piezometers, inclinometers and other subsurface instrumentation.
We are also experienced in well repairs, redevelopment, maintenance and remedial works, including identifying and addressing issues affecting well performance or integrity. Drillcore can provide a complete service from site investigation and drilling through to installation, grouting, development and commissioning of monitoring systems, working closely with engineers and project managers to ensure installations are completed accurately, safely and in accordance with project specifications and relevant New Zealand standards and industry best practice.
Drillcore’s 8-tonne excavator provides a versatile and efficient solution for a range of geotechnical investigation and site preparation activities. The excavator is capable of safely excavating test pits to depths of approximately 4.0 metres, providing access for detailed visual assessment and sampling of subsurface conditions. It can also be utilised for track and vegetation clearance, formation of drill pads and working platforms, site preparation and general earthworks associated with investigation programmes.
In addition, the excavator can support and facilitate plate load testing, providing an efficient means of preparing test areas and handling the required equipment. Having this capability in-house allows Drillcore to undertake more of the investigation works directly, reducing reliance on subcontractors and providing greater control over programme, safety, quality and project costs.
Need assistance with your next project? Contact our team to discuss your requirements and discover how Drillcore can help deliver successful project outcomes.
