Career
In 2008 he was voted the best lecturer in the University by students. His speciality is in the area of Fluid Mechanics in which he has undertaken a broad range of research. Professor Nokes was the Head of the Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering at Canterbury University between 2009 and 2012.
He successfully led the department through the series of earthquakes which struck Canterbury during that time.
Nokes represented New Zealand at the Chess Olympiad in 1982, 2004, 2006, and 2008.