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.

  • Tubeworm discovery in Hauraki Gulf cause for celebration

    Media release
    Scientists mapping the Hauraki Gulf seafloor have discovered huge colonies of tubeworms up to 1.5 metres high and collectively covering hundreds of metres providing vital habitats for plants and animals.
  • 2020 - Deep Sea Benthos

    Voyage
    Sedimentation effects from human activities are poorly known, but an important concern for environmental sustainability of activities in the deep sea.
  • Giant squid and glow-in-the-dark sharks surprise scientists

    Media release
    A giant squid and several glow-in-the-dark sharks were surprise finds for NIWA scientists last month on the Chatham Rise during a voyage to survey hoki, New Zealand’s most valuable commercial fish species.
  • Kameron Christopher, Chief Scientist - High Performance Computing and Data Science, Wellington.

    Hitting the high notes

    Feature story
    Dr Kameron Christopher plays a mean sax. Campbell Gardiner checks in with NIWA’s new Chief Scientist for High Performance Computing and Data Science.
  • Epic spiny red rock lobster

    Feature story
    Sam Fraser-Baxter heads to the Wairarapa for one of New Zealand’s longest-running marine surveys – counting baby lobster.
  • The frozen menagerie

    Feature story
    Just past the locks, alarms and big heavy doors is a rather macabre sight.
  • Scientist pieces together details of underwater landslides

    Media release
    New information about landslides that occur on the seafloor off New Zealand’s east coast will help scientists better understand why and where they happen, and the types of threats they pose.
  • Scientists brave winter in Antarctic waters

    Media release
    The New Zealand ship Janas has recently returned from a six-week winter research voyage to the Ross Sea where scientists made the first observations of developing Antarctic toothfish embryos.
  • 2019 - Sub-Antarctic ecosystems voyage

    Voyage
    Voyage TAN1908
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    ‘Blooming heck’ - Microalgae feature in latest biodiversity memoir

    Feature story
    A group of microscopic algae that form vast aquamarine blooms off the east coast is the subject of NIWA’s latest Biodiversity Memoir
  • Leopard seal Owha injured in Auckland Harbour

    Media release
    Researchers are keeping a close eye on Owha, the leopard seal that has made Auckland Harbour her home, after she was seen bleeding from her face on Saturday morning.
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    Fish snack on microplastics

    Media release
    Research shows how fish are being affected by microplastics.