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.

Marine extremes and everything in between

1 July 2012 to 5 July 2012

Marine extremes and everything inbetween is a joint conference between the Australian Marine Sciences Association and the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society (AMSA-NZMSS).

NIWA is sponsorsing prizes for the best student oral and poster presentations at the conference .

For more information about go to the AMSA-NZMSS website

Clear as mud? Predicting water clarity and light penetration in estuaries

Fine sediment loads delivered to estuaries by rivers are higher today than prior to catchment deforestation due to increased soil erosion. The effects on water clarity, which then impact sensitive estuarine ecosystems, are significant.

Sea-level Rise: Meeting the Challenge

10 May 2012 to 11 May 2012

The New Zealand Climate Change Centre (NZCCC) invite you to attend Sea level rise: meeting the challenge.

This conference includes keynote speakers and presentations from leading international and New Zealand based experts on coastal and sea-level rise issues.

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.

Coasts Update 04, January 2012

Welcome to this special edition of Coasts Update, highlighting the Shallow Survey 2012.

Tide envelopes 2013

The range for high and low tides throughout the year.

Tide envelopes - previous years

The range for high and low tides throughout previous years.

Coastal terms and definitions

A glossary of terms relating to coastal science.

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.

Antarctica

NIWA scientists have worked for many years on Antarctic atmospheric processes and aquatic ecosystems.

EcoConnect Rena Feed

By using this site and the EcoConnect forecasts, you have read and agreed to the terms and conditions.

Weather - 2 Day Forecast

Ocean - 2 Day Forecast

Geosciences 2011

28 November 2011 to 3 December 2011

NIWA is sponsoring Geosciences 2011, the Geoscience Society of New Zealand's annual conference.

This year's conference is being held in Nelson and will cover a broad range of geological and geophysical research being undertaken in New Zealand.

For further information see the conference website

New Zealand Coastal Society Conference

7 November 2011 to 9 November 2011

NIWA is sponsoring the New Zealand Coastal Society's Annual Conference.

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Association of Women in the Sciences

28 July 2011 to 29 July 2011

NIWA is sponsoring the Association of Women in the Sciences (AWIS) conference being held in Auckland.

For more information about the conference see AWIS conference website

Antarctic marine ecosystems

All aquatic ecosystems are strongly driven by physical processes, and nowhere is this more true than in Antarctica.

Antarctic marine ecosystems: news

Short articles and related news.

Antarctic marine ecosystems: introduction

All aquatic ecosystems are strongly driven by physical processes, and nowhere is this more true than in Antarctica.

Antarctic marine ecosystems: team

The science team includes plant and animal ecologists with expertise in a range of fields.

Photo_Non_geniculate_coralline_algae_Campbell_Island_Cooper.jpg

Non-geniculate coralline algae - Campbell Island (Department of Conservation, S.Cooper)

Shallow Survey 2012

30 August 2011 to 31 August 2011

Abstracts submission for the 6th internation Shallow Water survey conference are due on Wednesday 30th August. This conference will explore the latest developments in shallow water surveying.

Follow this link for more information and to submit abstracts.

Electrical Conductivity Logger - Unidata 6536D

This measures and records the Electrical Conductivity (EC) and temperature of water.

Water Depth and Temperature Sensor - Unidata 6542B

This analog output sensor provides accurate long-term measurements of water depth and temperature in bores, drains and rivers.

The 6542B can measure water depths of up to 20 m and comes in five standard ranges: 1, 2, 5, 10 or 20 metres of water.

It has an accuracy of better than +/-1% of full scale and water level and temperature outputs are available as two separate analogue voltage outputs for connection to a data logger.