Oceans

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

  • Effects of ocean acidification on plankton in New Zealand waters

    Research Project
    Our oceans are expected to become more acidic as carbon dioxide concentrations rise. This will likely have impacts on the plankton, which play a major role in ocean ecosystems and processes.
  • Plankton biodiversity in the Southern Ocean

    Research Project
    NIWA is conducting a five–year study to map changes in the distribution of plankton species in surface waters between New Zealand and the Ross Sea.
  • Predicting long-term contaminant accumulation in the central Waitemata and southeastern Manukau Harbours

    Research Project
    This project was undertaken for Auckland Regional Council to identify significant sources of contaminants in the central Waitemata and southeastern Manukau Harbours.
  • Tidal energy optimisation

    Research Project
    Understanding the complexity of tidal resources in New Zealand’s coastal waters and examining how extracting tidal energy would influence and be influenced by this variability.
  • Remote sensing of phytoplankton biomass and productivity

    Research Project
    Satellite images can be used to measure phytoplankton biomass in the ocean around New Zealand in order to understand ocean ecosystems, fish populations and greenhouse gas absorbtion.
  • Deepsea minerals of the Kermadec Ridge

    Research Project
    A survey of valuable ore deposits and ecosystems along the volcanic Kermadec Ridge north of New Zealand.
  • NZ SOLAS (Ocean–Atmosphere Interactions)

    Research Project
    This research aims to provide better predictions of changes in the ocean and climate system, particularly the way in which the ocean around New Zealand regulates greenhouse gases and clouds.