Coasts & Oceans
New Thinking
NZ’s deep-sea research boosted by new partnership
Two New Zealand research organisations will work closely with one of the world’s leading ocean research and engineering organisations to accelerate research and exploration in a wide range of oceanographic topics in the southwest Pacific region.
Science Of Sand
For many of us, summer isn’t summer without getting some sand between our toes. But did you ever wonder what that sand is made of, and how it got there? Dr Terry Hume of NIWA, is the man to ask.
Scientists set sail to study live whales
NIWA is providing its ship Tangaroa to take 18 scientists from New Zealand and Australia to the Southern Ocean next month to conduct research on the live whale population.
Iceberg on its way to our shores
A massive iceberg spotted southwest of New Zealand could be moving closer, says NIWA.
Sea finds get scientists delving deep for names
A ‘Rasta’, a ‘Wee Scots’, and a ‘Squat Lobster’: three new and unusual discoveries revealed by a NIWA deep-sea survey of marine biodiversity on the Chatham Rise.
Joint NIWA/GNS Science team to study Tsunami impacts
A team of New Zealand scientists and engineers will travel to Samoa this weekend to gather information on the impact of the September 30 tsunami on coastal communities and infrastructure.
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.
New Science
Like waves in a bathtub – the Chile tsunami
The results from 19 sea-level gauges around New Zealand reveal that six locations had peak wave heights of over one metre generated by a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Chile on 27 February.
NIWA's 'show-off piece' may be new species
A small sea creature, found in the murky, mysterious depths of the Kermadec Ridge, is causing a stir among scientists.
Deepest-dwelling fish in Southern Hemisphere photographed
NIWA scientists have photographed the deepest fish in the Southern Hemisphere - over 7km down.
Spectacular oceanic bloom identified
NIWA scientists have identified the source of the giant plankton bloom featuring in spectacular NASA satellite images.
Ancient creatures re-discovered thriving in southern New Zealand
Some of the world’s most ancient and fascinating animals have been re-discovered in southern New Zealand. Prospects for their survival look good – provided groundwaters and wetlands are protected.
Bay of Islands ocean survey enters next phase
Inshore and onshore biodiversity sampling activity is about to commence as NIWA's Bay of Islands Ocean Survey 20/20 project enters its next phase.
GNS scientists capture video of erupting undersea volcano
Two New Zealand scientists, who have just returned from witnessing an erupting undersea volcano near the Island of Guam in the Mariana Arc, say the volcano is supporting a thriving community of marine life in spite of the eruptions.
Species found in fragile reefs
Scientists believe they have found new species after two weeks surveying Fiordland’s underwater ‘china shops’.
Baby snapper all grew up in one big nursery
NIWA scientists have discovered that nearly all snapper on the west coast of the North Island come from nurseries in just one harbour. To play Radio NZ programme from 5 March 2009 click here.
Spa-like seawater conditions 50 million years ago
If you lived in New Zealand 50 million years ago, you would have been able to enjoy a hot swim in the sea all year round, scientists have found.
New Value
Rare honour for Antarctic researcher
IRL senior scientist Dr Tim Haskell has joined an elite group of Antarctic explorers and scientists by having a geographic feature in the region named after him.
Study models likely destruction from tsunami
A tsunami triggered by a massive South American earthquake would swamp Auckland motorways, coastal roads and low-lying bays, a new study has found. Click here to see map of possibly affected areas.
NIWA reveals seabed treasures
For the first time Cook Strait seafloor is revealed in high definition. NIWA underwater imagery shows the vast and complex features of one of the world's most energetic stretches of water.
Bigger, better Bluff oysters…bon appétit!
According to the latest NIWA survey of the Foveaux Strait oyster beds, bigger, better, Bluff oysters look set to be on the menu when the 2009 oyster season opens on Sunday.
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.
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.
