Estuaries

Latest news

Freshwater species show vulnerability to climate change

Media Release
15 September 2020
A new study has identified seven freshwater species native to Aotearoa-New Zealand that will likely be highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change.

Mangroves: to clear or not to clear?

Media Release
19 May 2017

NIWA scientists have written a guide for managing mangroves, prompted by a desire for people to learn more about mangrove ecosystems, and what happens when they are removed.

Paradise for eels? Getting to know the secrets of NZ's new icon

Feature story
9 May 2017

As New Zealand's "Mr Eel", Niwa's Dr Don Jellyman has heard every tall tale. And some of them may be true.

Muddy sinks

Feature story
22 February 2017

New Zealand’s mangrove swamps and coastal marshes may be particularly adept at absorbing and storing the carbon we emit.

 

Our work

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.

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.

Predicting long-term sedimentation and heavy metal accumulation in estuaries

NIWA has developed an Urban Stormwater Contaminant (USC) model to enable urban planners to predict sedimentation and heavy metal accumulation in estuaries and identify problem areas in order to target mitigation measures.

The New Zealand Estuary Trophic Index

Excessive nutrient input (eutrophication) threatens many New Zealand estuaries causing ecological problems, such as algal blooms and poor physical and chemical conditions for estuarine life.
 

Latest videos

The world's most mysterious fish

The world's most mysterious fish

A video about The world's most mysterious fish. NIWA researchers are working with iwi to try to unlock the secrets of New Zealand tuna—freshwater eels. Every year tiny, glass eels wash in on the tide at river mouths along our coast. But where do they come from and how do they get there?

 

 

Ngā Waihotanga Iho - The Estuary Monitoring Toolkit

The main purpose of Ngā Waihotanga Iho is to provide tools for the public to measure environmental changes that occur in estuaries over time.

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 species show vulnerability to climate change

Media Release
15 September 2020
A new study has identified seven freshwater species native to Aotearoa-New Zealand that will likely be highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change.

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.

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA)

To prepare for changes in climate, our freshwater and oceans decision-makers need information on species vulnerability to climate change.
The world's most mysterious fish

The world's most mysterious fish

A video about The world's most mysterious fish. NIWA researchers are working with iwi to try to unlock the secrets of New Zealand tuna—freshwater eels. Every year tiny, glass eels wash in on the tide at river mouths along our coast. But where do they come from and how do they get there?

 

Freshwater Update 76, March 2018

Freshwater Update 76 brings you the latest information from our Freshwater & Estuaries Centre, with articles ranging from spring and river water condition to urban waters, didymo and aquatic plant scientists.

The New Zealand Estuary Trophic Index

Excessive nutrient input (eutrophication) threatens many New Zealand estuaries causing ecological problems, such as algal blooms and poor physical and chemical conditions for estuarine life.

Compound Specific Stable Isotope tracing of sediment sources - tools to manage a sticky problem in New Zealand’s freshwaters and estuaries

Fine sediment is New Zealand’s most widespread water contaminant, degrading ecosystems, infilling dams and reservoirs and impairing recreational, cultural and aesthetic values in our rivers, estuaries and coastal seas.

Mangroves: to clear or not to clear?

Media Release
19 May 2017

NIWA scientists have written a guide for managing mangroves, prompted by a desire for people to learn more about mangrove ecosystems, and what happens when they are removed.

Paradise for eels? Getting to know the secrets of NZ's new icon

Feature story
9 May 2017

As New Zealand's "Mr Eel", Niwa's Dr Don Jellyman has heard every tall tale. And some of them may be true.

Toolkit development

A number of individuals, organisations and hapū have contributed to the development of Ngā Waihotanga Iho.

Getting started

This section outlines some practical matters you need to consider before using any of the modules.

Managing mangrove expansion

This manual aims to provide the guidance needed to manage mangrove expansion, while maintaining the ecological integrity of estuaries and harbours.

Muddy sinks

Feature story
22 February 2017

New Zealand’s mangrove swamps and coastal marshes may be particularly adept at absorbing and storing the carbon we emit.

Monitoring and maintenance of kōura

Once you have identified the problem, and applied the necessary tools for restoring kōura to your stream, the next phase of your project is to monitor the site to see whether restoration works.

Applying the right tools to restore kōura to lakes and streams

The tools available for restoring kōura to lakes and streams depend on what is causing kōura to decline.

Why are kōura rare or absent in your waterway?

Habitat and biological factors factors affect why kōura rare or absent in your waterway.

Pages

 

All staff working on this subject

Miss Darcel Rickard

Environmental Research/Science Communication
Email Miss Darcel Rickard
placeholder image

Dr Michael Allis

Coastal Engineer
Email Dr Michael Allis

Dr Rob Bell

Principal Scientist - Coastal and Estuarine Physical Processes
Email Dr Rob Bell
placeholder image

Dr Cyprien Bosserelle

Hydrodynamics Modeller
Email Dr Cyprien Bosserelle

Dr Niall Broekhuizen

Principal Scientist - Ecosystem Modelling
Email Dr Niall Broekhuizen

Dr Vonda Cummings

Principal Scientist - Marine Ecology
Email Dr Vonda Cummings
placeholder image

Dr Eleanor Gee

Freshwater Hydro-Ecologist
Email Dr Eleanor Gee
placeholder image

Dr Richard Gorman

Coastal and Estuarine Physical Processes Scientist
Email Dr Richard Gorman

Dr Rachel Hale

Marine Ecologist
Email Dr Rachel Hale

Dr Sean Handley

Marine Biologist
Email Dr Sean Handley

Dr Graeme Inglis

Manager - Coasts and Oceans
Email Dr Graeme Inglis
placeholder image

Dr Drew Lohrer

Principal Scientist - Marine Ecology
Email Dr Drew Lohrer

Dr Fleur Matheson

Aquatic Biogeochemist
Email Dr Fleur Matheson
placeholder image

Dr Keith Michael

Fisheries Scientist
Email Dr Keith Michael
placeholder image

Dr Darren Parsons

Marine Ecologist
Email Dr Darren Parsons

Dr Alexandre Schimel

Fisheries Acoustics Scientist
Email Dr Alexandre Schimel

Dr Andrew Swales

Principal Scientist - Coastal and Estuarine Physical Processes
Email Dr Andrew Swales
placeholder image

Dr Amy Whitehead

Freshwater Ecologist
Email Dr Amy Whitehead

Dr Chris Woods

Marine Ecologist
Email Dr Chris Woods
placeholder image

Chris Eager

Coastal Technician
Email Chris Eager

Eimear Egan

Freshwater Fish Ecologist
Email Eimear Egan
placeholder image

Barry Greenfield

Marine Ecology Technician
Email Barry Greenfield
placeholder image

Marco Kienzle

Fisheries Modeller
Email Marco Kienzle

Richard Measures

Hydrodynamics Scientist
Email Richard Measures

Juliet Milne

Resource Management Scientist
Email Juliet Milne

Jonathan Moores

Regional Manager - Auckland
Email Jonathan Moores
Subscribe to RSS - Estuaries