Coasts

Latest news

Tonga eruption discoveries defy expectations

23 May 2022

New findings from the record-breaking Tongan volcanic eruption are “surprising and unexpected”, say scientists from New Zealand’s National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).

Guide explores the benefits of combating marine biofouling

10 May 2022

NIWA is contributing to an international effort to help developing countries reduce the impact of biofouling on aquatic-based industries and environments.

NIWA-Nippon Foundation Tonga Eruption Seabed Mapping Project a “rare opportunity” to study effects of Tonga eruption

Media Release

1 April 2022

NIWA and The Nippon Foundation are undertaking a mission to discover the undersea impacts of the recent Tongan volcanic eruption.

Cutting-edge AI sea craft helping scientists count fish

Media Release

21 February 2022

A robot sea craft is the latest tool NIWA scientists are using to help them count fish.

Our work

Aotearoa New Zealand’s coastal lowlands are our flat low-lying land (or plains) adjacent to coasts and estuaries. Our coastal lowlands are valued for many reasons, including unique ecological wetlands, cultural sites of significance, valued recreational areas, highly-productive agriculture and are popular places to live.

Marine food webs

We need information on the food web structures of our marine ecosystems in order to manage the effects on the ecosystem of fishing, aquaculture and mining, as well as understanding the potential impacts of climate variability and change on our oceans.

Changes in juvenile fish habitats

NIWA is looking for people who have had a long association with the Hauraki Gulf or Marlborough Sounds to help them with a research project on juvenile fish habitats.

Coastal adaptation to climate change

NIWA is developing guidelines and advice to help coastal communities adapt to climate change.

Latest videos

Plankton in the Ross Sea

Plankton are the base of the oceans food web and are vital to our survival. But as our world changes will they be able to continue to play this essential role? Join us as we follow a group of NIWA scientists investigating various aspects of this question in the ocean around Antarctica.

Shifting Sands

Dr Joshu Mountjoy discusses NIWA's work in assessing the tsunami hazard just south of Kaikoura.

Find out more about this research.

Antarctic Coastal Marine Life in a Changing Climate

NIWA marine ecologist Dr Vonda Cummings discusses the likely effects of climate change on marine invertebrates living on the seafloor of the Ross Sea coast.

Next Stop Antarctica

Our Far South is an expedition that aims to raise New Zealanders' awareness of the area south of Stewart Island. Gareth Morgan, Te Radar, scientists and 50 everyday Kiwis are onboard to learn and then share their experience. This is the first video produced by them, showing some of the highlights of the trip so far.

Plankton in the Ross Sea

Tonga eruption discoveries defy expectations

Media Release

23 May 2022

New findings from the record-breaking Tongan volcanic eruption are “surprising and unexpected”, say scientists from New Zealand’s National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).

Sea Surface Temperature Forecasts May - October 2022

Have a look at what might happen around Aotearoa New Zealand in the months to come. Our simulations extend six months into the future.

Guide explores the benefits of combating marine biofouling

10 May 2022

NIWA is contributing to an international effort to help developing countries reduce the impact of biofouling on aquatic-based industries and environments.

NIWA-Nippon Foundation Tonga Eruption Seabed Mapping Project a “rare opportunity” to study effects of Tonga eruption

Media Release

1 April 2022

NIWA and The Nippon Foundation are undertaking a mission to discover the undersea impacts of the recent Tongan volcanic eruption.

Sea Surface Temperature Forecasts March - August 2022

To give us insights into what might happen around Aotearoa New Zealand in the months to come, NIWA scientists have combined predictions from eight different climate models from institutes around the world.

Cutting-edge AI sea craft helping scientists count fish

Media Release

21 February 2022

A robot sea craft is the latest tool NIWA scientists are using to help them count fish.

Public asked to help build national flood photo database

Media Release

15 February 2022

NIWA is asking people in flood-affected areas to contribute photos to a national database to support understanding of flood hazard and flood risk.

Sea Surface Temperature Forecasts October 2021 - March 2022

Forecasting sea surface temperatures several months in advance is challenging. To give us insights into what might happen around Aotearoa New Zealand in the months to come, NIWA scientists have combined predictions from eight different climate models from institutes around the world.

Future Coasts Aotearoa

Our seas are sizzling again

Media Release

30 November 2021

Coastal sea temperatures around Aotearoa New Zealand have risen well above average, NIWA forecasters say.

Coastal flooding likely to be main driver for adaptation

Media Release

12 October 2021

New NIWA-led research shows increasing flood risk is going to be what leads people to make changes to adapt to sea-level rise.

Fabulous Fiordland showcased in new e-Guide

Media Release

5 October 2021

With cascading waterfalls and native bush tumbling down mountainous terrain, Fiordland is one of the most eye-catching parts of the country. But peer beneath the waves and you'll see that Fiordland's marine invertebrate and seaweed communities are every bit as remarkable and awe-inspiring.

Scientists, iwi investigate bringing back rock oyster industry

Media Release

28 September 2021

A project is under way to determine whether Aotearoa New Zealand’s long defunct rock oyster industry can be revived.

Study discovers microplastics in New Zealand’s seabed

Media Release

16 July 2021

A pilot study carried out by NIWA and the University of Auckland has found microplastics in samples collected from the seafloor in the Marlborough Sounds.

Taonga Species Series: Piharau

Feature story

8 June 2021

What does science tell us about New Zealand lamprey?

Storm surge forecasting

We combine capabilities in weather, storm surge and tide forecasting with tide gauge observations to predict sea levels for specific locations under forecast weather conditions.

Lost scientific buoy recovered from Kāpiti seafloor

4 May 2021

Researchers have recovered a scientific buoy from the Kāpiti Marine Reserve that went missing in late March.

Marine reserves join ocean acidification network

Media Release

22 April 2021

A joint NIWA and Department of Conservation (DOC) project is extending New Zealand’s ocean acidification monitoring network to include marine reserves.

Seabirds spend nearly 40% of their time on high seas, study finds

Media Release

4 March 2021

A global effort by seabird researchers, including those from NIWA, has resulted in the first assessment of where the world’s most threatened seabirds spend their time.

Science update 5 from Richard O’Driscoll

Day 34 of the Ross Sea Life in a Changing Climate (ReLiCC) 2021 voyage on RV Tangaroa. We are back in New Zealand waters and due to arrive in Wellington on the morning of Monday 15 Feb.

Queen of the critters

Feature story

11 February 2021

Sadie Mills has come a long way from scaring the inhabitants of Scottish rock pools. Sarah Fraser explains.

Norse goddess reveals seabed secrets

Feature story

11 February 2021

A large, orange Scandinavian robot gives NIWA’s marine geologists an in-depth look at changes to the seafloor off Kaikōura.

A job for the buoys

Feature story

11 February 2021

New Zealanders and Pacific Island communities are on their way to having the most advanced tsunami monitoring system in the world.

Message in a bottle: Glen Walker, bosun

Glen Walker is the bosun aboard NIWA’s research vessel Tangaroa currently exploring the waters around Antarctica. His reading list is exclusively sea disaster stories.