Coasts and Oceans

The Coasts & Oceans Centre aims to provide the knowledge needed for the sound environmental management of our marine resources.

This will ensure that the economic, social and environmental benefits are realised now, and into the future. 

Coasts and Oceans services

The Coasts and Oceans Centre provides research services in a range of areas

Coasts and Oceans tools and resources

NIWA makes many tools, resources and ID guides available.

Feature: Drones watch quake aftermath

19 April 2018
NIWA scientists like Leigh Tait were saddened by the human impact of the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, but he also says that it provided a “massive natural history experiment”.
NIWA's glider offers new understanding of ocean processes

NIWA’s glider offers new understanding of ocean processes

NIWA's underwater glider 'Manaia' is deployed off the Kapiti coast to collect data on temperature, salinity, pressure, oxygen, fluorescence, light and turbidity that will complement the information gathered by the fixed moorings.

Satellite tracking of blue whales in New Zealand waters

The aim of this voyage was to examine the movement and habitat utilization of pygmy blue whales in New Zealand waters.

Emperor penguin foraging behaviour revealed

Media Release
20 April 2018
An unavoidable delay in a research ship’s voyage to Antarctica resulted in some surprising and important findings about the behaviour of emperor penguins.

Warming ocean to alter ecosystems and affect fisheries by end of century, says NIWA scientists

5 December 2017
Rapid warming of the ocean near Tasmania may provide a good indication of how the water around New Zealand will change as the planet warms, say NIWA scientists.

News