Bathymetry

NIWA studies, maps and measures the depths of our oceans.

  • Seabed 2030

    Research Project
    NIWA is leading a New Zealand partnership to map the South and West Pacific Ocean's seabed as part of a worldwide initiative to map the entire globe’s seafloor.
  • Download Bathymetry Data

    Software Tool/Resource
    This dataset provides the most up-to-date bathymetry of one of the largest areas of deep-water seabed under national jurisdiction. The 250m resolution gridded bathymetric data set encompasses New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone and is available in multiple high-resolution file formats to suit a range of imagery and mapping needs.
  • Lake Wanaka - multibeam

    Lake Wānaka mapped in exquisite detail

    Media release
    NIWA scientists have mapped the whole of Lake Wānaka in incredible detail.  
  • NIWA unravelling impacts on marine life after Cyclone Gabrielle

    Media release
    NIWA are studying the ocean off Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay to see how Cyclone Gabrielle has impacted the health of fisheries habitats and seabed ecosystems.
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    South Island bathymetry chart

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    North Island Bathymetry Coverage Chart

  • Tonga eruption confirmed as largest ever recorded

    Media release
    A New Zealand-led team has completed the fullest investigation to date into January’s eruption of the underwater Tongan volcano.
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    Ocean services

    Service
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  • Hazards in the Tasman Sea

    You’ll be blown away by what these women in science are up to onboard this RV Tangaroa voyage to the Tasman Sea.
  • Mapping the oceans through citizen science

    The Seabed 2030 South and West Pacific Ocean Data Center is one of four global Regional Centres, each being responsible for data gathering and mapping in their territory.
  • Can sound be used to characterise gas composition in the water column?

    Underwater gas bubbles acoustic monitoring and seabed mapping around Whakaari Island
  • Kaikōura earthquake provides world-first insight into submarine canyons

    Feature story
    Research conducted after the 2016, 7.8 magnitude Kaikōura earthquake has provided scientists with an extremely rare opportunity to understand the processes that shape submarine canyons.