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

Oceans

We aim to provide the knowledge needed for the sound environmental management of our marine resources.

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    Tiny find fascinates squid scientists

    News article
    Another colossal squid is under examination in Wellington, but this one could fit in the palm of your hand.
  • New Zealand Ocean Acidification Observing Network (NZOA-ON)

    Research Project
    Ocean acidification conditions around the New Zealand coast are being measured to establish baseline conditions and to quantify future change.
  • Revealing Kapiti Island's submarine landscape

    Research Project
    We are using modern techniques to map seafloor surrounding Kapiti Island, an area of significant cultural and environmental value to New Zealand.
  • Backscatter Measurement Guidelines

    Research Project
    Marine scientists have long recognized the potential of using remotely-sensed data, most often acquired using a sonar system, as a proxy of biophysical indicators.
  • Pick of the Antarctic pictures

    Blog
    Hundreds of amazing images have come back from NIWA’s NZ-AU Antarctic Ecosystems Voyage 2015 on RV Tangaroa.
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    Voyage leader's final update

    Blog
    Now back on dry land, Voyage Leader Richard O'Driscoll reflects on the final days of RV Tangaroa's 2015 Antarctica expedition.
  • Critter of the Week: The colonial sea squirt Leptoclinides marmoreus Brewin, 1956

    This week’s critter is the colonial ascidian, or more commonly known as seasquirt, Leptoclinides marmoreus Brewin, 1956.
  • BLOG: Sir Peter Blake Trust Ambassador Blake Hornblow - Enounters with Antarctica's animals

    Blog
    It has been another amazing week here on the Tangaroa. On Saturday we saw Antarctica which was an absolutely breath-taking experience that I’ll remember for the rest of my life!
  • Enabling management of offshore mining

    Research Project
  • Explaining the blue whale research onboard the Tangaroa

    Blog
    Scientists from the Australian Antarctic Division explain the blue whale research they are leading onboard the New Zealand-Australia Antarctic Ecosystems Voyage 2015.
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    Travelling with the blues

    Blog
    NIWA voyage leader Dr Richard O’Driscoll updates the Tangaroa’s encounter with the planet’s largest living beings – the Antarctic blue whales – and discovers what’s on their menu.
  • Balleny Islands humpback research success

    Media release
    The first objective of the New Zealand- Australia Antarctic Ecosystems Voyage was successfully achieved with the completion of the research at the Balleny Islands.