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.

  • Planning an ocean observation network

    Media release
    New Zealand’s changing ocean environment has prompted the call to develop a system that will keep closer tabs on information from scientific monitoring buoys so the data they produce can be shared as widely as possible.
  • Methane seep research bubbling along

    Media release
    A chance discovery off the Gisborne coast five years ago is prompting a NIWA scientist to find out more about the link between a field of methane seeps bubbling out of the sea floor and submarine landslides.
  • Eyeless worm a window into our diverse ocean

    Media release
    A worm that feeds on bacteria and has no eyes is one of the standout stars of almost 600 unfamiliar and potentially new ocean species identified at NIWA in the past year.
  • Ambitious NIWA-led Antarctic Ocean project gets go-ahead

    Media release
    Understanding how the Antarctic oceans work is vital to predicting the world’s future climate and the implications of climate change for humankind and the planet.
  • Our changing oceans

    Feature story
    The on-going rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) that is fuelling climate change is also driving significant changes in the waters off our coasts.
  • Turritopsis rubra (Farquhar, 1895), Crimson jelly.

    Jiggling Jellyfish

    An interactive guide to the jellyfish of New Zealand.
  • Owha and her friends awarded citizenship

    Media release
    New Zealand’s newest citizens like the solitary life, have leopard-like markings, and can each weigh up to 600kg.
  • Scientists study how to predict marine heatwaves

    Media release
    Scientists have taken a step closer to predicting marine heatwaves with new NIWA-led research finding a link between their formation and the length of time sea temperatures are warmer than normal.^.
  • Scientists discover solar heat drives rapid melting of Ross Ice Shelf

    Media release
    Part of the world’s largest ice shelf is melting 10 times faster than the overall average and solar-heated waters beneath the ice shelf are to blame, NIWA research has found.
  • Adorable Anemones

    An interactive guide to the shallow water anemones of New Zealand. Version 2.0 (2022) is available for download now!
  • Sedimentation effects

    Research Project
    This programme looks at the impacts of sediment plumes created by disturbance to the seafloor and the discharge of processed waters.
  • Ocean acidification—what is it?

    The on-going rise of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is not only changing our climate—it is also changing our oceans.