A new Internet-based information portal developed by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) allows anyone, at any location, to view details on a growing range of environmental data held by the Crown Research Institute.

Scientists at NIWA and Auckland University have discovered that the fouling of vessels by marine creatures is greatly increased by the underwater sounds generated by the vessels themselves.

When you leave the beach this summer, the memory of a great holiday can be savoured with a sea shell. Lift it up to your ear, and you hear the roar of the sea once more.

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.

Most of New Zealand's rain doesn't fall in the plains, but in the mountains, particularly the Southern Alps.

Wild kai such as eel (tuna), lamprey (kanakana) and whitebait are a significant cultural, recreational and economic resource for Māori in South Canterbury.

What can we expect weather-wise this holiday period? NIWA's principal scientist climate Dr James Renwick says, "It's too early to say for sure how Christmas itself will be, but if the La Niña influence continues, New Zealand should be in for a mild and relatively settled few months over the summer".

The 'yeti crab' generated media attention worldwide when the first species was found around deep-sea hydrothermal vents off the Easter Islands at around 2200 m depth (Macpherson, Jones & Segonzac, 2005).

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.