Oceans

NIWA aims to provide the knowledge needed for the sound environmental management of our marine resources.

  • Benthic fauna on the Campbell Plateau

    2020 - Campbell Plateau biodiversity

    A team of scientists and crew headed to the Campbell Plateau south of New Zealand onboard R.V. Tangaroa to conduct a deep-sea camera survey of the seabed to better understand the biodiversity of seabed habitats in commercial fishing areas.
  • Extremely rare albino shark discovered in Auckland

    Media release
    A deep dive into the collection of an Auckland War Memorial Museum has revealed an extremely rare albino shark.
  • Huge waves on Wellington coast to ease later today, says NIWA

    Media release
    High waves pounding Wellington’s south coast today are being caused by a deep area of low pressure passing the Chatham Islands, according to NIWA forecaster Ben Noll.
  • (no image provided)

    Small sea-level rises to drive more intense flooding, say scientists

    Media release
    A little can mean a lot – especially when it comes to the relationship between sea level rise and coastal flooding.
  • Scientists get first look at rocks causing slow moving quakes

    Media release
    An ambitious international scientific project to study New Zealand’s largest earthquake fault is now enabling scientists to learn more about slow slip earthquakes happening in subduction zones around the world.
  • Tubeworm discovery in Hauraki Gulf cause for celebration

    Media release
    Scientists mapping the Hauraki Gulf seafloor have discovered huge colonies of tubeworms up to 1.5 metres high and collectively covering hundreds of metres providing vital habitats for plants and animals.
  • 2020 - Deep Sea Benthos

    Voyage
    Sedimentation effects from human activities are poorly known, but an important concern for environmental sustainability of activities in the deep sea.
  • Giant squid and glow-in-the-dark sharks surprise scientists

    Media release
    A giant squid and several glow-in-the-dark sharks were surprise finds for NIWA scientists last month on the Chatham Rise during a voyage to survey hoki, New Zealand’s most valuable commercial fish species.
  • Hitting the high notes

    Feature story
    Dr Kameron Christopher plays a mean sax. Campbell Gardiner checks in with NIWA’s new Chief Scientist for High Performance Computing and Data Science.
  • Epic spiny red rock lobster

    Feature story
    Sam Fraser-Baxter heads to the Wairarapa for one of New Zealand’s longest-running marine surveys – counting baby lobster.
  • The frozen menagerie

    Feature story
    Just past the locks, alarms and big heavy doors is a rather macabre sight.
  • Scientist pieces together details of underwater landslides

    Media release
    New information about landslides that occur on the seafloor off New Zealand’s east coast will help scientists better understand why and where they happen, and the types of threats they pose.