Ecological monitoring

Learn more about gold clam life cycle

The invasive gold clam is native to eastern Asia and is widely established in North and South America and Europe. In New Zealand it was first discovered in the Waikato River in May 2023 at Bob's Landing, within Lake Karāpiro. It has been declared an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act.

NIWA and partners launch critical research to stop an invasive clam threatening New Zealand's freshwater ecosystem.

Introducing NIWA sediment transport scientist Clare Wilkinson.

Research aim: Understanding clam impacts

Find out more about the MBIE project

Maintaining good water quality is important for healthy ecosystems and healthy humans. NIWA are experts in providing and servicing the water quality monitoring equipment you need to effectively monitor water quality in lakes, streams, coastal waters and estuaries.

Biological traits analysis is a valuable tool for measuring ecosystem function

NIWA’s Stream Health Monitoring Assessment Kit (SHMAK) gives land owners, iwi, school and community groups simple, scientifically-sound tools and resources to monitor the ecological health of New Zealand’s streams.

Bottom lining is the installation of a flexible covering over the top of beds of aquatic weeds, similar to using weed matting in home gardens. This control method is also called ‘benthic barriers’.

Sam Fraser-Baxter heads out with a NIWA research team keeping a close eye on these vulnerable transition zones.

Diquat is a herbicide (chemical) that has been used in New Zealand for many decades for submerged (underwater) weed control and also on agricultural crops. It is registered for freshwater use in New Zealand.