Coasts

Latest news

New study to combat harm caused by anchoring

Media Release
16 April 2024
Ship anchors may cause extensive and long-lasting damage to the seafloor, according to new NIWA research.

Higher and drier – the cost of raising homes

Media Release
30 August 2023
New research shows that in some cases, lifting houses may be a cost-effective way to reduce intermittent flooding risk.

Identification of significant ecological areas for the Otago coastal marine area

12 June 2023
Long-term protection of Otago’s coastal habitats took a step closer to reality after more than 100 marine Significant Ecological Areas (SEA) were identified as part of a research project led by NIWA.

New maps reveal places at risk from sea-level rise

Media Release
25 May 2023
New maps from NIWA and the Deep South National Science Challenge show areas across Aotearoa New Zealand that could be inundated by extreme coastal flooding.
 

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.

Shifting Sands - Tsunami hazard off Kaikoura, NZ

Shifting Sands

Dr Joshu Mountjoy discusses NIWA's work in assessing the tsunami hazard just south of Kaikoura. 

Find out more about this research. 

Antarctic Coastal Marine Life in a Changing Climate

Antarctic Coastal Marine Life in a Changing Climate

NIWA marine ecologist Dr Vonda Cummings discusses the likely effects of climate change on marine invertebrates living on the seafloor of the Ross Sea coast.

These organisms have evolved in a very stable environment and are adapted to an extremely narrow range of sea conditions. Relatively large increases in sea temperatures and acidity predicted by the end of this century may outstrip their ability to adapt. Laboratory experiments with common Antarctic shellfish suggest that predicted increases in ocean acidity may threaten shellfish populations. 

Next Stop Antarctica

Next Stop Antarctica

Our Far South is an expedition that aims to raise New Zealanders' awareness of the area south of Stewart Island. Gareth Morgan, Te Radar, scientists and 50 everyday Kiwis are onboard to learn and then share their experience. This is the first video produced by them, showing some of the highlights of the trip so far.


 

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.

Taonga Species Series: Kanae

Feature story
8 April 2022
What does science tell us about New Zealand mullet?

Sea Surface Temperature Forecasts March - Aug 2022

To give us insights into what might happen around Aotearoa New Zealand in the months to come, NIWA scientists have combined predictions from eight different climate models from institutes around the world.

Cutting-edge AI sea craft helping scientists count fish

Media Release
21 February 2022
A robot sea craft is the latest tool NIWA scientists are using to help them count fish.

Public asked to help build national flood photo database

Media Release
15 February 2022
NIWA is asking people in flood-affected areas to contribute photos to a national database to support understanding of flood hazard and flood risk.

Sea Surface Temperature Forecasts Oct 2021 - Mar 2022

Forecasting sea surface temperatures several months in advance is challenging. To give us insights into what might happen around Aotearoa New Zealand in the months to come, NIWA scientists have combined predictions from eight different climate models from institutes around the world.

Future Coasts Aotearoa

Aotearoa New Zealand’s coastal lowlands are our flat low-lying land (or plains) adjacent to coasts and estuaries. Our coastal lowlands are valued for many reasons, including unique ecological wetlands, cultural sites of significance, valued recreational areas, highly-productive agriculture and are popular places to live.

Our seas are sizzling again

Media Release
30 November 2021
Coastal sea temperatures around Aotearoa New Zealand have risen well above average, NIWA forecasters say.

Coastal flooding likely to be main driver for adaptation

Media Release
12 October 2021
New NIWA-led research shows increasing flood risk is going to be what leads people to make changes to adapt to sea-level rise.

Fabulous Fiordland showcased in new e-Guide

Media Release
5 October 2021
With cascading waterfalls and native bush tumbling down mountainous terrain, Fiordland is one of the most eye-catching parts of the country. But peer beneath the waves and you'll see that Fiordland's marine invertebrate and seaweed communities are every bit as remarkable and awe-inspiring.

Scientists, iwi investigate bringing back rock oyster industry

Media Release
28 September 2021
A project is under way to determine whether Aotearoa New Zealand’s long defunct rock oyster industry can be revived.

Study discovers microplastics in New Zealand’s seabed

Media Release
16 July 2021
A pilot study carried out by NIWA and the University of Auckland has found microplastics in samples collected from the seafloor in the Marlborough Sounds.

Taonga Species Series: Piharau

Feature story
8 June 2021
What does science tell us about New Zealand lamprey?

Storm surge forecasting

We combine capabilities in weather, storm surge and tide forecasting with tide gauge observations to predict sea levels for specific locations under forecast weather conditions.

Lost scientific buoy recovered from Kāpiti seafloor

4 May 2021
Researchers have recovered a scientific buoy from the Kāpiti Marine Reserve that went missing in late March.

Marine reserves join ocean acidification network

Media Release
22 April 2021
A joint NIWA and Department of Conservation (DOC) project is extending New Zealand’s ocean acidification monitoring network to include marine reserves.

Seabirds spend nearly 40% of their time on high seas, study finds

Media Release
4 March 2021
A global effort by seabird researchers, including those from NIWA, has resulted in the first assessment of where the world’s most threatened seabirds spend their time.

Science update 5 from Richard O’Driscoll

Day 34 of the Ross Sea Life in a Changing Climate (ReLiCC) 2021 voyage on RV Tangaroa. We are back in New Zealand waters and due to arrive in Wellington on the morning of Monday 15 Feb.

Queen of the critters

Feature story
11 February 2021
Sadie Mills has come a long way from scaring the inhabitants of Scottish rock pools. Sarah Fraser explains.

A job for the buoys

Feature story
11 February 2021
New Zealanders and Pacific Island communities are on their way to having the most advanced tsunami monitoring system in the world.

Message in a bottle: Glen Walker, bosun

Glen Walker is the bosun aboard NIWA’s research vessel Tangaroa currently exploring the waters around Antarctica. His reading list is exclusively sea disaster stories.

Science update 3 from Richard O’Driscoll

Day 20 and we are now more than halfway through the Ross Sea Life in a Changing Climate (ReLiCC) 2021 voyage on RV Tangaroa.

NIWA science divers finish mud marathon

Feature story
4 January 2021
Where there’s mud, there’s scientists. NIWA divers recently got down and dirty while completing a harbour-wide dive survey in the Wellington area.

Watch out for jellyfish blooms

Feature story
28 December 2020
Jellyfish blooms are likely to be a common sight this summer with rising ocean temperatures one of the main causes of substantial population growths.

2021 - Antarctic voyage

RV Tangaroa undertook a 45-day voyage to the Southern Ocean and Ross Sea in January-February, 2021.

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All staff working on this subject

Dr Matt Bennion

Coastal Marine Ecologist
Email Dr Matt Bennion
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Dr Jaret Bilewitch

Molecular Biologist
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Dr Cyprien Bosserelle

Hydrodynamics Modeller
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Dr Niall Broekhuizen

Principal Scientist - Ecosystem Modelling
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Dr Heather Craig

Hazard and Risk Analyst
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Dr Vonda Cummings

Principal Scientist - Marine Ecology
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Dr Rachel Hale

Marine Ecologist
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Dr Sean Handley

Marine Biologist
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Dr Orlando Lam-Gordillo

Coastal Marine Ecologist
Email Dr Orlando Lam-Gordillo

Dr Emily Lane

Principal Scientist - Natural Hazards and Hydrodynamics
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Dr Drew Lohrer

Strategy Manager - Coasts & Estuaries
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Dr Carolyn Lundquist

Principal Scientist - Marine Ecology
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Dr Alison MacDiarmid

Senior Regional Manager - Wellington
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Dr Irene Middleton

Marine Ecologist
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Dr Joshu Mountjoy

Strategy Manager - Oceans
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Dr Alan Orpin

Principal Scientist - Marine Geology
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Dr Darren Parsons

Principal Scientist - Marine Ecology
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Dr Rachael Peart

Marine Invertebrate Systematist
Email Dr Rachael Peart

Dr Christo Rautenbach

Coastal and Estuarine Physical Processes Scientist
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Dr Ashley Rowden

Principal Scientist - Marine Ecology
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Dr Kareen Schnabel

Marine Biologist
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Dr Philip Sutton

Physical Oceanographer
Email Dr Philip Sutton

Dr Andrew Swales

Principal Scientist - Coastal and Estuarine Physical Processes
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Dr Leigh Tait

Marine Ecologist
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Dr Shaun Williams

Hazard Analyst
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Dr Chris Woods

Marine Ecologist
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Dr Zhonghou Xu

Coastal Modeller
Email Dr Zhonghou Xu

Owen Anderson

Fisheries Scientist
Email Owen Anderson
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Barry Greenfield

Marine Ecology Technician
Email Barry Greenfield

Kevin Mackay

Marine Geologist, Marine Data Manager
Email Kevin Mackay
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