NIWA Invertebrate Collection

The NIWA Invertebrate Collection (NIC) holds specimens from almost all invertebrate phyla. This is a result of about half a century of marine taxonomic and biodiversity research in the New Zealand region, the South West Pacific and the Ross Sea, Antarctica.

This collection is a result of about half a century of marine taxonomic and biodiversity research in the New Zealand region, the South West Pacific and the Ross Sea, Antarctica.

The collection is a valuable resource for research in the areas of:

  • taxonomy
  • evolutionary biology
  • understanding marine ecosystems and biodiversity
  • ecological research
  • improving biosecurity measures
  • informing marine conservation

The NIC is of national and international significance because it is essential for determining the evolutionary and biological relationships of the New Zealand biota in relation to the rest of the world. 

Visit our blog page, and see our weekly 'Critter of the Week' series or follow us on Facebook:

Critter of the Week blog series

NIWA Invertebrate Collection on Facebook 

Tools & Resources

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    NIWA Invertebrate Collection Database on OBIS

    NIWA Invertebrate Collection database on OBIS
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    NIWA Invertebrate Collection Data Explorer tool

    Explore NIWA Invertebrate Collection specimen data and images with this mapping tool
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    Information for Scientists

    Visitors come from around the world to the NIWA Invertebrate Collection to undertake research and work with our material.
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    Loans - Policy and Procedures

    Specimens can be loaned to universities, colleges, museums and other research or education institutions for the use of resident research staff.