Ecosystems

Latest news

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.

New weapon in fight against invasive aquatic weeds

Media Release

20 July 2021

A combination of artificial intelligence and scientific ingenuity looks set to be the next step forward in protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s lakes and rivers from invasive aquatic weeds.

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.

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.

Our work

Freshwater bioremediation using native mussels - focussed on shallow eutrophic lakes

Our project was inspired by the observation of abundant mussel populations in small shallow lakes with excellent water quality. This observation made us wonder if freshwater mussels could be part of the restoration process in flipped lakes. The project aim was to harness the filter-feeding capacity of native freshwater mussels on rafts to assist in lake restoration.

The Whatawhata Integrated Catchment Management Project

The Whatawhata Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Project is the longest continuously monitored before-after-control-impact (BACI) catchment-scale study in New Zealand.

Maniapoto Cultural Assessment Framework

Maniapoto Māori Trust Board and NIWA worked collaboratively during 2018-19 to support Ngāti Maniapoto whānau to reconnect with and participate in the assessment of their freshwater according to their values.

IPBES Nature Futures Workshop

NIWA hosted an IPBES workshop entitled “Visions for nature and nature’s contributions to people for the 21st century” held from 4-8 September 2017 in Auckland.

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.

Taking the pulse of Antarctica’s ocean ecosystem

Niwa scientists have anchored an echosounder to the sea floor of Terra Nova Bay that could reveal the mystery of silverfish reproduction under the Antarctic ice.

Southern Blue Whiting Fishery

NIWA fisheries scientist Dr Stuart Hanchet describes the history and management of the southern blue whiting fishery, centred around New Zealand's subantarctic islands.

Kaikoura Canyon Seabed Life

The video represents a number of clips that have been spliced together to illustrate the abundant life associated with the muddy seabed sediments in Kaikoura Canyon at 1000m.

Plankton in the Ross Sea

Restoration of aquatic ecosystems

This project aims to increase our knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and their restoration, and apply this to degraded streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries.

Freshwater bioremediation using native mussels - focussed on shallow eutrophic lakes

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.

New weapon in fight against invasive aquatic weeds

Media Release

20 July 2021

A combination of artificial intelligence and scientific ingenuity looks set to be the next step forward in protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s lakes and rivers from invasive aquatic weeds.

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.

Estuaries and lowland brackish habitats

NIWA scientists Dr Andrew Swales, Dr Rob Bell and Dr Drew Lohrer wrote a chapter on estuaries for the NZ Coastal Society sea-level rise special publication in late 2020 called Estuaries and lowland brackish habitats.

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.

Fiordland air sharing secrets with scientist

Media Release

25 November 2020

Peter Sperlich needs a strong south-westerly and a cast iron stomach for his next scientific mission.

New freshwater species programme

A new programme at NIWA will focus on finding ways to protect our freshwater species now and in the future.

Updated freshwater pests guide out now

NIWA has updated its guide to freshwater pests for the first time since 2013.

Staff profile: Dr Simon Woodward

In this edition we welcome Dr Simon Woodward to the team and find out how he came to work at NIWA.

Maniapoto Cultural Assessment Framework

Researchers on hunt for fish nurseries

Media Release

7 August 2020

NIWA researchers are heading out from Tasman early next week to survey an area thought to be home to important juvenile fish nurseries.

A cold day in the office

Feature story

28 July 2020

Five specialist NIWA divers were left ‘gasping’ during their recent plunge under the ice near Scott Base.

Freshwater species - publications

These are some recent publications related to the freshwater species ecology and management programme.

Freshwater species ecology and management

The abundance and diversity of life in our rivers, lakes and estuaries is the ultimate indicator of the health and wellbeing of our aquatic ecosystems. NIWA is helping to ensure that New Zealand’s unique and iconic freshwater species are healthy, abundant and thriving.

Constructed wetland guidelines

Constructed wetlands are a water quality restoration tool that can reduce levels of sediment, nutrients and microbes such as E. coli.

The Whatawhata Integrated Catchment Management Project

The Whatawhata Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Project is the longest continuously monitored before-after-control-impact (BACI) catchment-scale study in New Zealand.

Tangaroa heads back to sea – with social distancing

Media Release

13 May 2020

NIWA’s flagship research vessel Tangaroa will sail out of Wellington Harbour on Sunday for the first scientific voyage since the lockdown.

Tubeworm discovery in Hauraki Gulf cause for celebration

Media Release

19 March 2020

Scientists mapping the Hauraki Gulf seafloor have discovered huge colonies of tubeworms up to 1.5 metres high and collectively covering hundreds of metres providing vital habitats for plants and animals.

Fish snack on microplastics

Media Release

22 October 2019

Research shows how fish are being affected by microplastics.

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.