Roger I. Nokes (born 13 August 1958)[1] is an emeritus professor in the Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, specialising in fluid mechanics and is also a chess master.

Nokes was a university council member, was head of the Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering between 2009 and 2012 (coinciding with the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury Earthquakes) and has achieved a number of teaching awards.

In 1980 Nokes was joint New Zealand Chess Champion with Ortvin Sarapu and Vernon Small[5] and represented New Zealand at the Chess Olympiad in 1982, 2004, 2006, and 2008.

[citation needed] Nokes lives in Golden Bay / Mohua's Tata Beach.

[7] He offers a chess club for students at Golden Bay High School.