Coasts

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

  • Surveying scallop populations with artificial intelligence

    News article
    Developing a non-invasive automated method of counting and measuring scallops to monitor their populations.
  • Juvenile fish nurseries in the Hauraki Gulf

    News article
    Some fish species take years to grow to a size where they become sexually mature. These juvenile years, especially the first few months, are when fish are the most vulnerable to being eaten by predators.
  • How we won the 36th America’s Cup

    News article
    Emirates Team New Zealand is known for their outstanding achievements on the world yacht racing stage and their drive for excellence in technical innovation. So how does a supercomputer become part of the team?
  • Our seas are sizzling again

    Media release
    Coastal sea temperatures around Aotearoa New Zealand have risen well above average, NIWA forecasters say.
  • Dramatic first weeks for Wellington’s newly hatched kororā

    Media release
    Two kororā chicks – also known as little blue penguins – have hatched in Wellington. They were born in a protective nest box in Evan’s Bay, set up by NIWA and Places for Penguins, in partnership with the Urban Wildlife Trust.
  • Coastal flooding likely to be main driver for adaptation

    Media release
    New NIWA-led research shows increasing flood risk is going to be what leads people to make changes to adapt to sea-level rise.
  • Fabulous Fiordland showcased in new e-Guide

    Media release
    With cascading waterfalls and native bush tumbling down mountainous terrain, Fiordland is one of the most eye-catching parts of the country. But peer beneath the waves and you'll see that Fiordland's marine invertebrate and seaweed communities are every bit as remarkable and awe-inspiring.
  • Scientists, iwi investigate bringing back rock oyster industry

    Media release
    A project is under way to determine whether Aotearoa New Zealand’s long defunct rock oyster industry can be revived.
  • Supercharging the view from above

    Feature story
    From the rocky shores of Wellington’s South Coast to the icy waters of Antarctica, NIWA scientists are combining drone technology with advanced computer skills to map, measure and analyse the natural environment as never before. Campbell Gardiner explains.
  • New weapon in fight against invasive aquatic weeds

    Media release
    A combination of artificial intelligence and scientific ingenuity looks set to be the next step forward in protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s lakes and rivers from invasive aquatic weeds.
  • Study discovers microplastics in New Zealand’s seabed

    Media release
    A pilot study carried out by NIWA and the University of Auckland has found microplastics in samples collected from the seafloor in the Marlborough Sounds.
  • Tsunami generated by underwater volcanoes

    Research Project
    Marsden-funded research investigating how erupting volcanoes can cause deadly and damaging tsunamis.