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

Future Coasts Aotearoa

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.

Mitchell’s odyssey from stream to ocean

Media Release

14 September 2016

New Zealand continues to punch above its weight in global environmental issues, with three Kiwis seeking a positive change to our oceans in Washington this month.

Te Mahere Kāinga Koiora - Habitat Mapping Module

This Habitat Mapping module will show you how to collect useful information to describe and monitor habitats in estuaries.

From high seas to estuaries

Feature story

15 July 2016

While Tangaroa might be considered its flagship, NIWA’s extensive range of maritime work could not be completed without the support vessels Kaharoa and Ikatere.

NIWA studies spectacular seabed gas flares

1 May 2015

A team of scientists aboard NIWA’s deepwater research vessel Tangaroa returned to Wellington with new knowledge about methane ‘leaking’ into the atmosphere.

Coasts & Oceans

View images from our work in and around coasts and oceans, including images from some of the world's most beautiful and inaccessible locations.

New Zealand Coastal Society conference

18 November 2014 to 21 November 2014

NIWA is proud to be sponsoring the 22nd annual New Zealand Coastal society conference.

New Zealand Marine Sciences Society conference 2014

11 August 2014 to 14 August 2014

The theme of this year’s conference is 'Shaping our marine future'.

Tide envelopes 2010

The range for high and low tides throughout the year.

Tide envelopes 2011

The range for high and low tides throughout the year.

Default Coasts Gallery

Tide envelopes 2012

The range for high and low tides throughout the year.

Our Far South

A number of people aboard the Our Far South voyage have been sending us beautiful photos of their experience. In this gallery, we showcase some of our favourites. Oldest photos are shown first. Unless otherwise stated, all photos are credited to Our Far South.

RV Polaris - Ocean Acidification

For the last 14 years, in collaboration with the University of Otago's Chemistry Department, Dr Kim Currie has run a time series tracking ocean acidification.

New Zealand Coastal Society Conference

20 November 2013 to 22 November 2013

NIWA is proud to be sponsoring the New Zealand Coastal Society's 21st Annual Conference in Hokitika:

The Coast: Rough Around the Edges

Shifting Sands

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

Find out more about this research.

Aquatic Science at the interface

19 August 2013 to 23 August 2013

NIWA is sponsoring Aquatic Science at the interface, a joint conference for the:

New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society

New Zealand Marine Sciences Society

Australian Society for Fish Biology

The conference is being held in Hamilton, for more information see the Aquatic science at the interface website

AWATEA - Aotearoa Wave and Tidal Energy conference

18 April 2013 to 19 April 2013

NIWA is sponsoring AWATEA's 2013 conference 'Blue energy in the pacific: Powering Innovation'.

For more information see the AWATEA website

New Zealand Coastal Society Annual Conference: ‘Making Waves, 20 years and beyond’

14 November 2012

This week, New Zealand's leading coastal scientists, engineers and planners are attending the New Zealand Coastal Society 20th Annual Conference in Auckland. NIWA has many speakers presenting work at the conference.

NIWA’s Kaharoa sets sail to deploy robots across the Pacific Ocean

12 October 2012

NIWA research vessel Kaharoa will depart Wellington on Friday 12 October to deploy 120 Argo robotic instruments across the Pacific Ocean.

NIWA spies discover big birds take midwinter holidays

10 August 2012

Scientists have discovered that our big birds take long winter holidays overseas. The native Campbell Albatross take off to South Australia, and the Grey-headed Albatross goes further afield to an area 7,000 km from Campbell Island, in the Indian Ocean to the west of Australia.