Oceans

Recording old oceans centre tag.

Latest news

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).

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.

Mean heat: Marine heatwaves to get longer and hotter by 2100

Media Release
7 March 2022
New research from the Deep South Challenge: Changing with our Climate and NIWA shows that New Zealand could experience very long and “very severe” marine heatwaves by the end of the century.
 

Our work

Sea2Cloud – how marine aerosols influence the atmosphere and climate

Clouds over the ocean, and how they trap or emit radiation from the sun, are partly influenced by the biology, biogeochemistry and physics of the surface ocean below.

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. 

New Zealand Ocean Acidification Observing Network (NZOA-ON)

Ocean acidification conditions around the New Zealand coast are being measured to establish baseline conditions and to quantify future change.

Plankton biodiversity in the Southern Ocean

NIWA is conducting a five–year study to map changes in the distribution of plankton species in surface waters between New Zealand and the Ross Sea.
 

Latest videos

Dive into the alien world of plankton in the Ross Sea

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.

Antarctic science onboard NIWA’s RV Tangaroa

Examining biodiversity and ocean dynamics in the world’s largest marine protected area

Researchers are working their way through a wealth of new Antarctic marine data after RV Tangaroa successfully completed its five week scientific voyage to the Ross Sea.
NIWA's Sarah Searson and Jennie Mowatt

NIWA's Sarah Searson and Jennie Mowatt

If you want to get accurate scientific readings from the icy depths of the Ross Sea, who do you turn to?
Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification - What does it mean for Shellfish?

This video has been produced to highlight ocean acidification as a potential issue affecting the NZ shellfish aquaculture industry
 

Summer Series 2: Weird and wonderful - Tropical visitors (sea snakes, turtles, mahi mahi)

3 January 2012

When you are at the beach this summer, don't be surprised if you're swimming next to a sea snake with a paddle for a tail, a big-headed-turtle, or a magnificently coloured flat-faced fish. New Zealand's got its share of weird and wonderful marine visitors. Several species of sea snake and turtle regularly reach our waters.

Summer Series 1: Hammerhead - the shark with a hammer for a head

27 December 2011

The shark with the hammer-shaped head (Sphyrna zygaena) is a big eater and is potentially dangerous to humans. It has been found in New Zealand coastal waters, in up to 110 metres of water, and on the continental shelf. It is more commonly seen around the North Island.

Dr Philip Boyd on geoengineering

Dr Philip Boyd on geoengineering

NIWA's Dr Philip Boyd on geoengineering and the research which won him and a team of scientists from NIWA and Otago University the 2011 Prime Minister's Science Prize.

NIWA climate change scientists honoured in Prime Minister’s top science prizes

16 December 2011

A team of scientists from NIWA and the University of Otago has won the top 2011 Prime Minister's Science Prize for their research into guiding the world's response to climate change.

New Zealand and Australia sign collaborative agreement on marine research and observation

6 December 2011
A historic agreement, aimed at improving country-to-country collaboration on marine research, observations and data management between New Zealand and Australia, has been signed in Canberra this morning.

TAN1116 voyage log - technical updates

Voyage updates from voyage leader Scott Nodder.

Fisheries Oceanography II, Chatham Rise (TAN1116) - Voyage Log

NIWA's research vessel Tangaroa was at sea 2-20 November 2011 for the TAN1116 voyage.

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 Climate Change Atlas for our massive ocean real estate

3 October 2011

In a world first, NIWA has designed a regional climate change ocean 'atlas' - for our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Craig Stevens on Antarctic Sea Ice

Craig Stevens on Antarctic Sea Ice

Principal Scientist Craig Stevens talks about what NIWA's sonar equipment can tell us about ocean turbulence, and what's in store for sea ice around Antarctica and the Arctic. 

Antarctic Whale Expedition 2010

Antarctic Whale Expedition 2010

After a successful six weeks in the Southern Ocean, the Australian led Antarctic whale expedition is due to arrive in Wellington, New Zealand, on 15 March 2010. 

Great white sharks - sighted, tagged and tracked

Great white sharks - sighted, tagged and tracked

Scientists from DOC, NIWA, and the University of Auckland are building a unique picture of New Zealand's great white shark population.

Kaikoura Canyon Seabed Life

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.

Processes and interactions in the Antarctic atmosphere

The Antarctic atmosphere is physically and chemically unique and influences all latitudes. The goal of this programme is to improve our understanding of the Antarctic atmosphere's role in global change and its response to that change.

Antarctic aquatic ecosystems: summary

Polar ecosystems face physical constraints that set them apart from their warmer counterparts. The greatest constraint is the impact of prolonged periods of winter darkness and sub-zero temperatures.

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.

Record number of great white sharks tagged in New Zealand waters

7 July 2011

Scientists completed a successful three-week field tagging trip in April 2011, where they tagged a record 27 great white sharks around the Titi (Muttonbird) Islands off the northeast coast of Stewart Island.

Pages

 

All staff working on this subject

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Dr Teresa A'mar

Fisheries Modeller
Email Dr Teresa A'mar
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Dr Philip Barnes

Principal Scientist - Marine Geology
Email Dr Philip Barnes
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Dr Jaret Bilewitch

Molecular Biologist
Email Dr Jaret Bilewitch
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Dr Stacy Deppeler

Marine Biogeochemistry Technician
Email Dr Stacy Deppeler

Dr Pablo Escobar-Flores

Fisheries Scientist
Email Dr Pablo Escobar-Flores
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Dr Denise Fernandez

Physical Oceanographer
Email Dr Denise Fernandez

Dr Rachel Hale

Marine Ecologist
Email Dr Rachel Hale
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Dr Carolyn Lundquist

Principal Scientist - Marine Ecology
Email Dr Carolyn Lundquist
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Dr Helen Macdonald

Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) Numerical Modeller
Email Dr Helen Macdonald
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Dr Katie Maier

Marine Sedimentologist
Email Dr Katie Maier

Dr Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher

Principal Scientist - Carbon Chemistry and Modelling
Email Dr Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher

Dr Helen Neil

General Manager - Operations
Email Dr Helen Neil

Dr Scott Nodder

Principal Scientist - Marine Geology
Email Dr Scott Nodder

Dr Richard O'Driscoll

Chief Scientist - Fisheries
Email Dr Richard O'Driscoll
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Dr Alan Orpin

Marine Geologist
Email Dr Alan Orpin
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Dr Rachael Peart

Marine Invertebrate Systematist
Email Dr Rachael Peart

Dr Christo Rautenbach

Coastal and Estuarine Physical Processes Scientist
Email Dr Christo Rautenbach
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Dr Graham Rickard

Marine Physics Modeller
Email Dr Graham Rickard
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Dr Natalie Robinson

Marine Physicist
Email Dr Natalie Robinson

Dr Ashley Rowden

Principal Scientist - Marine Ecology
Email Dr Ashley Rowden

Dr Kareen Schnabel

Marine Biologist
Email Dr Kareen Schnabel

Dr Craig Stevens

Principal Scientist - Marine Physics
Email Dr Craig Stevens
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Dr Philip Sutton

Physical Oceanographer
Email Dr Philip Sutton
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Dr Leigh Tait

Marine Ecologist
Email Dr Leigh Tait
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Dr Chen Wang

Data Scientist
Email Dr Chen Wang

Dr Sally Watson

Marine Geophysicist
Email Dr Sally Watson

Dr Shaun Williams

Hazard Analyst
Email Dr Shaun Williams
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Dr Zhonghou Xu

Coastal Modeller
Email Dr Zhonghou Xu

Antonia Cristi

PhD Student
Email Antonia Cristi

Eimear Egan

Freshwater Fish Ecologist
Email Eimear Egan
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