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

Pelagia noctiluca

Purple parasol jellyfish are found worldwide; this one was in Charles Sound, Fiordland. The scientific name, Pelagia noctiluca, says it all: their ‘pelagic’ life cycle means they live in the open ocean, where they prey on zooplankton attracted by their noctiluca – or night-light bioluminescence. Credit: Mike Page