Biosecurity

Latest news

Come jump in a lake with NIWA

5 June 2019

Visitors to NIWA’s stand at this year’s Fieldays are invited to go diving into the Rotorua lakes—without having to get wet.

New brains sought to get rid of marine pests

Media Release

27 March 2018

Scientists have launched a worldwide crowdsourcing competition aimed at finding novel ideas to tackle invasive marine pests, with a cash prize of $US10,000 on offer.

Summer Series 2017 - Look out for these marine pests

Feature story

28 December 2017

Every year NIWA carries out numerous marine surveillance missions, surveys at ports and harbours around the country. Their divers are looking for the pests that have hitched a ride to New Zealand waters and are capable of destroying our unique ecosystems and shellfish industry.

Summer Series 7: Little squirts that hang out around the coast

12 February 2013

When you are at the beach or harbours this summer, don't be surprised if you see sea squirts - marine animals we commonly see attached to rocks and wharf piles that have two siphons on the top of their bodies, one to draw in water and the other to expel it. When disturbed, sea squirts contract their siphons, expelling streams of water—hence their name.

Our work

The impact of non-native marine pests on our takutai moana

Our native marine life and ecosystems are vulnerable to non-native marine pests entering our coastal environments. These marine pests have been introduced to Aotearoa on boats arriving at our ports and harbours and can spread easily through ballast water and hull fouling.

Weed Management

Of the more than 70 aquatic plant species naturalised in New Zealand, more than 75% have become problem weeds or have been assessed as having the potential to become future problem weeds. Most of our lakes, rivers and streams are affected by at least one of these species.

Aquatic weed risk assessment model (AWRAM)

A significant threat to the biosecurity of New Zealand's freshwater habitats comes from plants that have been intentionally introduced.

Coastal and oceanic dispersal modelling

Understanding how material released into the ocean spreads is very important in the case of oil spills, sediment transport and the release of invasive species.

Latest videos

Rotorua Te Arawa lakes

NIWA scientists jump overboard to check out the health the Rotorua Te Arawa lakes. The work is part of NIWA's national LakeSPI programme—an ecological health check for lakes throughout New Zealand.
Underwater research to protect and maintain New Zealand's freshwater resources.

Robotic vehicle on the lookout for biosecurity pests

Foreign marine pests can threaten our marine life and it’s important to find them early before they can set up home here.

Lagarosiphon be gone

An underwater invader recently brought key agencies and organisations including Land Information New Zealand, NIWA, Otago Regional Council, Boffa Miskell, Department of Conservation, Ministry for Primary Industries, Fish and Game and Lake Guardians, together in Wanaka.

Weed Management

Rotorua Te Arawa lakes

Freshwater Update 81, June 2019

Freshwater Update 81 brings you the latest information from our Freshwater & Estuaries Centre, with articles ranging from how NIWA scientists are solving the longfin eel migration mystery, how we're taking you diving with us at Fieldays, and a word from one of the editors of the new Lakes Restoration Handbook.

Come jump in a lake with NIWA

Media Release

5 June 2019

Visitors to NIWA’s stand at this year’s Fieldays are invited to go diving into the Rotorua lakes—without having to get wet.

Remote operated vehicle and camera boosts NIWA’s underwater biosecurity work

Hazardous and murky conditions in our ports and marinas can make it challenging for divers to carry out important biosecurity inspections for introduced species.

Robotic vehicle on the lookout for biosecurity pests

Foreign marine pests can threaten our marine life and it’s important to find them early before they can set up home here.

ROV (remote operated vehicle) for marine biosecurity surveillance

Hazardous and murky conditions in our ports and marinas can make it challenging for divers to carry out important biosecurity inspections for introduced pest species. NIWA scientists are pioneering the use of underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV) technology to improve surveillance checks.

The search for a long-lost plant to bring life back to our coastal lakes

The plight of some coastal lakes in Canterbury is well-known. Many were once abundant mahinga kai site for local Māori, some are now the most polluted waterbodies in the country.

Freshwater Update 80, March 2019

Freshwater Update 80 brings you the latest information from our Freshwater & Estuaries Centre, with articles that cross a broad spectrum of freshwater research. This edition has articles about the sources of plastics in our waterways, the discovery of long-lost lake plant species and a breakthrough in research about freshwater mussels/kākahi.

Lake Rotoiti catfish cull

A NIWA research programme—Control of Invasive Fish—is working with Bay of Plenty Regional Council this year to create novel tools to support the catfish control programme.

Freshwater Update 79, November 2018

Freshwater Update 79 brings you the latest information from our Freshwater & Estuaries Centre, with articles ranging from NIWA working with NASA; restoring a stream catchment in Kaikōura; looking after urban water; keeping soil and reducing sedimentation; to culling catfish.

New brains sought to get rid of marine pests

Media Release

27 March 2018

Scientists have launched a worldwide crowdsourcing competition aimed at finding novel ideas to tackle invasive marine pests, with a cash prize of $US10,000 on offer.

The symposium provides the opportunity for members of the international deep-sea science community to discuss and present their latest research results.