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

Oceans

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

  • Critter of the deep - Episode 1: Secrets of the Ram's horn squid

    Have you ever seen these shells on the beach?
  • 2020 - Argo floats deployment

    Voyage
    The crew of NIWA research vessel Kaharoa spent 75 nights at sea.
  • 2020 - Snapper survey

    Voyage
    Scientists are conducting snapper research off North Island’s west coast.
  • Ashley Rowden and Katie Bigham - Marine ecologists

    Ashley Rowden and Katie Bigham talk about the positive changes observed on the seafloor following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake.
  • Underwater robot getting close-up look at Kaikōura Canyon

    Media release
    A six-metre long orange underwater robot is flying through the Kaikōura Canyon for the next month collecting information on how the canyon has changed since the 2016 earthquake.
  • Scientists conducting snapper research off North Island’s west coast

    Media release
    People along the Kapiti and Wanganui coast may spot NIWA’s research vessel Kaharoa operating close to shore in the next few weeks as scientists carry out a survey of snapper, tarakihi, red gurnard and John Dory.
  • NIWA research vessel returns home after epic voyage

    Media release
    After 75 nights at sea all the temporary master of NIWA research vessel Kaharoa could think about today was getting off the ship and having a beer.
  • New tsunami monitoring system for Pacific

    Feature story
    A network of state-of-the-art tsunami buoys is being deployed from New Zealand up into the Pacific to keep communities safer.
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    2020 - Separation Point nursery

    Voyage
    NIWA researchers are heading out from Tasman early next week to survey an area thought to be home to important juvenile fish nurseries.
  • Tsunami evacuation zones home to 1 in 10 New Zealanders

    Media release
    NIWA scientists have completed the first national assessment of people and buildings at risk in New Zealand’s tsunami evacuation zones.
  • 2020 - Seamount Communities

    Voyage
    Seamounts, knolls, and hills are prominent features of underwater topography in the New Zealand region and are often sites of high biodiversity and productivity.
  • Researchers on hunt for fish nurseries

    Media release
    NIWA researchers are heading out from Tasman early next week to survey an area thought to be home to important juvenile fish nurseries.