On 1 July 2025, NIWA merged with GNS Science to become Earth Sciences New Zealand.

caulerpa-dive-equipment-cleanse

All sampling gear, dive gear and even divers were disinfected using a strong soap solution between dives. The soap would render any fragments of Caulerpa that the team may have missed unviable, which is important as Caulerpa can regrow from very small fragments. Photo: Crispin Middleton, NIWA.