Coasts & Oceans
New Thinking
Dead whale to be sunk for science
A 40-tonne sperm whale which died in Golden Bay will be towed to deeper east coast waters and sunk in the interests of science.
A millenium of change
Ever wondered what life was like in the seas around New Zealand 1000 years ago? NIWA is leading a project to find out.
100,000 NZ creatures unknown or unclassified
More than 100,000 New Zealand animal species remain undiscovered or unclassified, but NIWA principal biodiversity scientist Dennis Gordon said finding and identifying them was painfully slow.
NZ 'dragging chain' on protecting coastline
New Zealand is falling behind international responses to the effects of climate change on coastal habitats, a NIWA scientist has warned.
Science assists customary coastal management
NIWA is hosting a workshop to highlght how science can help with the customary management of the coastal environment.
International scientists probe seafloor methane deposits
A multi-national team sets sail to investigate methane deposits beneath New Zealand's seafloor.
MFish and NIWA announce joint fisheries science scholarship
The Ministry of Fisheries and NIWA have established a joint graduate scholarship programme in quantitative fisheries science. NIWA will provide supervision and mentoring to the successful scholarship candidates.
New Science
Great whites go to the depths
A great white shark tagged off Stewart Island has set a world diving record as it crossed the Tasman Sea to the Great Barrier Reef.
Antarctic visit to study sea ice
Scientists from NIWA and Otago University flew to New Zealand’s Scott Base, on the first post-winter Antarctica New Zealand flight, to study the growth and thickness of winter coastal sea ice in McMurdo Sound.
New measures for shellfish health
Measuring the health of shellfish just became a lot quicker and more sensitive, thanks to some new technology at NIWA.
Tidal creeks - taking the heat off estuaries
The tidal creeks that fringe many of our estuaries are doing them a big favour by acting as a sink for sediment, according to new NIWA research.
NZ marine sediments free of botulism bacteria
Consumers of seafood harvested from New Zealand harbours and estuaries can be assured that it will not cause botulism following a study by Crop & Food Research scientists.
Antarctic voyage yields science treasures
NIWA’s research vessel Tangaroa has completed the most comprehensive survey of marine life in the Ross Sea region ever undertaken working around the clock in the 24-hour days of the Antarctic summer.
New methane-digesting bacteria discovered
A new type of methanotrophs - bacteria which digest methane - has been discovered by NIWA scientists lurking near methane plumes off the Wairarapa coast.
Experiment to put surf lifeguard in Raglan rips
Scientists from NIWA are undertaking a unique experiment with Surf Life Saving New Zealand to investigate the behaviour of rips.
NZ Great White shark sets new distance record
A 4.4 metre female great white shark has set a new distance record for a New Zealand shark by swimming over 3000km to the tropical waters of the southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
NZ scientists to lead submarine investigation in the Mediterranean
GNS Science scientists are to join American Italian colleagues for the first-ever systematic investigation of submarine hydrothermal activity in the Mediterranean Sea.
New Value
New Te Papa attraction offers stunning deep-sea ride
Exploring New Zealand's deep sea territory has become accessible to everyone with Te Papa opening a new attraction that takes visitors on a virtual ride to the bottom of the sea to hunt for submarine volcanoes.
The Deep Ride, a New Zealand-first motion simulator ride, is part of Te Papa's new $6 million multi-media experience called Our Space. The long-term exhibition opened to the public this weekend.
The Deep Ride, a New Zealand-first motion simulator ride, is part of Te Papa's new $6 million multi-media experience called Our Space. The long-term exhibition opened to the public this weekend.
Know your beach with Coastal Explorer
Coastal Explorer is a new NIWA web tool to help people understand beaches, manage coastal hazards, and safeguard lives & property.
Exploring NZ's Undersea Treasures
Modern-day explorers use high-tech equipment to explore earth's last great frontier - the ocean floor. Join GNS Science's Cornel de Ronde in this fascinating Australian TV documentary as he explains the discovery of huge submarine volcanoes, weird marine creatures, and large mineral deposits on New Zealand's seafloor.
What lies beneath Wellington Harbour?
NIWA is about to undertake detailed mapping of the Wellington Harbour seafloor, in a joint venture with DoC and the Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Ocean robots to hit target thanks to New Zealand
An Argo deployment from the NIWA research vessel Kaharoa is almost certain to mark a feat of worldwide scientific importance.
Kiwi scientists change world thermometer standards
Industrial Research scientists have been instrumental in changing the world-wide standard practice for the precise calibration of thermometers.
