Research

All NIWA research projects

  • Predicting long-term contaminant accumulation in the central Waitemata and southeastern Manukau Harbours

    Research Project
    This project was undertaken for Auckland Regional Council to identify significant sources of contaminants in the central Waitemata and southeastern Manukau Harbours.
  • Tidal energy optimisation

    Research Project
    Understanding the complexity of tidal resources in New Zealand’s coastal waters and examining how extracting tidal energy would influence and be influenced by this variability.
  • Bio-oil from wastewater algae

    Research Project
    This project will demonstrate the commercial feasibility of producing bio-oil by the conversion of algae biomass that has been grown in wastewater treatment facilities. In particular we aim to maximise algae production in High Rate Algal Ponds (HRAP) by adding carbon dioxide, and demonstrate energy efficient conversion of algal biomass to bio-oil.
  • Fish resources assessment survey of the Arabian Sea coast of Oman

    Research Project
    A primary aim of the Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Fisheries Wealth is to ensure that fisheries are developed and managed for the advantage of the people of Oman in a manner that is sustainable and maintains biodiversity.
  • Remote sensing of phytoplankton biomass and productivity

    Research Project
    Satellite images can be used to measure phytoplankton biomass in the ocean around New Zealand in order to understand ocean ecosystems, fish populations and greenhouse gas absorbtion.
  • Estuarine Ecodiagnostics

    Research Project
    Estuaries are highly valuable systems that provide enormous economic and cultural benefits to all kinds of people. However, expanding human populations and urban development around estuaries is increasing contaminant loads, with metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) accumulating in sediments.
  • Ngā Waihotanga Iho - Iwi estuarine monitoring toolkit

    Research Project
    Ngā Waihotanga Iho, the estuarine monitoring toolkit for Iwi, has been developed to provide tangata whenua with tools to measure environmental changes in their estuaries. While Ngā Waihotanga Iho is based on sound science principles, it is also underpinned by tangata whenua values.
  • Mātauranga Māori and sustainable management of New Zealand fisheries

    Research Project
    Using a collaborative case study approach, the aim of this project is to assist tangata whenua to bring together different, yet complementary knowledge systems - distinct Māori knowledge and conventional fisheries and ecosystem information.
  • Forecasting irrigation potential: a case study in the Waimakariri River catchment

    Research Project
    Farmers rely on irrigation, but water is a limited resource and little is know about how to manage it best. NIWA has developed a hydrology and soil science model to show how much to water, and when, to get the best results.
  • Habitat requirements of New Zealand freshwater fish

    Research Project
    New Zealand's rivers and streams, and the diverse fish that live in them, are worth protecting. But the question of which species prefer to live where was unanswered until NIWA completed this major survey.
  • Restoring Kōaro in the Rotorua lakes

    Research Project
    The kōaro was once abundant in the Te Arawa lakes near Rotorua in New Zealand’s North Island. NIWA has assessed the viability of restoring this species in the region.
  • Deepsea minerals of the Kermadec Ridge

    Research Project
    A survey of valuable ore deposits and ecosystems along the volcanic Kermadec Ridge north of New Zealand.