Rob Christie is manager for NIWA's marine resources. A Chartered Water and Environmental Manager and Chartered Scientist with over 26 years international experience, he has worked in environmental consultancy and science sectors in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Rob joined NIWA in 2013 and is responsible for NIWA's marine assets, maritime commercial work and helping coordinate the application of marine science. Based in our Wellington office, Rob is NIWA's person to contact for strategic development, marine infrastructure, vessel enquires and scheduling.
In early 2019, the extension of the existing European Eurofleets vessel and equipment sharing initiative, Eurofleets +, included a New Zealand vessel for the first time: NIWA’s RV Tangaroa. Eurofleets+ aims at providing, integrating and improving access to key research vessels and associated major equipment. It includes innovative initiatives to ensure a more efficient and coordinated operation of fleets, to develop synergies with complementary observing systems and infrastructures and to set-up sustained integrated services to the user communities. A wide selection of new technologies are also available for use under this mechanism, including deep water autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) and largely portable remotely operated vehicles (ROV).
For more information about RV Tangaroa and Eurofleets+, visit the Eurofleets+ vessels page.