Sharing what we’ve learned through our unique approach to research.

Enabling ecosystem-based management (EBM) to become embedded within marine management and governance.

Enabling Aotearoa to transition to a blue economy by developing BE principles, enhancing opportunities, and supporting adoption.

Enhancing the relationship of Māori with Te Ao Turoa to inform our relationship with the moana.

Supporting coastal hapū to express kaitiakitanga by assessing and accessing high-quality ecosystem data.

Assessing the interactions between loadings of different contaminants from freshwaters on the health and functioning of estuaries. This is a…

Supporting the Waikato Regional Council to review their Regional Coastal Plan with the principles of ecosystem-based management

Exploring what pāua fishery investors (quota owners, divers, processors etc) need to know to have the confidence to invest; and the relation…

Improving understanding and communication of scale-dependencies for EBM

This project is exploring the fundamental idea of what an oceans-centric governance model could look like, unburdened by existing approaches…

Determining the benefits of small-scale, community-based marine restoration initiatives

Developing a monitoring and indicator framework for the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

Exploring traditional aquaculture practices to inform a hapū-based blue economy

In this collaboration, we are investigating how EBM can be used to manage shellfish populations in the Marlborough Sounds.

Growing community wellbeing with pātiki tōtara/yellowbelly flounder

Investigating and reducing interactions between commercial fishing gear and the seafloor

Investigating the tikanga of ICP Iwi Partners as it relates to commercial fishing practice

Developing sustainable, community-based aquaculture in Te Taitokerau

Investigating the potential of algal bioactives to prevent and improve the outcomes of sunburn

Creating a sustainable supply of seed mussels using mātauranga Māori

Investigating the economic potential of collagen and bioactives from 11-armed sea-stars to manage overpopulations

Developing a seaweed sector framework for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Developing marine ecotourism that embraces regenerative principles and supports a blue economy.

We explored ways to assess the values New Zealanders hold for the marine environment.

We developed new ways to measure and map the ecosystem services provided by marine ecosystems.

We have developed a near real-time forecasting tool for Tasman and Golden Bays to help predict when aquaculture sites and beaches are safe t…

We trialled two innovative technologies to detect and monitor harmful algal blooms in coastal waters

We investigated whether generating electricity from the strong tidal currents within Cook Strait is viable for Aotearoa New Zealand.

We have examined mātauranga Māori associated with the marine environment by analysing key texts, historical archives, literature, reports an…

We traced the fate of water and sediments from land through coastal food webs, evaluating connections between coastal and deep sea habitats,…

We explored and developed innovative governance tools for the marine environment while enhancing relationships between Māori, the Government…

We investigated how mātauranga and tikanga Māori and New Zealand law can be applied in the marine estate.

We collaborated with Māori communities to review scientific information that may support the expression of kaitiakitanga and other kaupapa t…

We developed a culturally-relevant pathway to enable mana whenua iwi to evaluate and contribute to management of Aotearoa New Zealand’s mari…

This project aims to help the Kaikōura community and businesses build a sustainable blue economy as they recover from the 2016 earthquakes.

We are investigating how historical and contemporary changes to sedimentation and bottom contact fishing may influence fisheries in Tasman B…

We investigated how coastal waters and oceans mix and transport materials that can stress marine ecosystems.

We investigated how well submarine canyons transport materials from the land into deeper waters surrounding Aotearoa New Zealand.

We investigated the effects that suspended sediment from human activities has on the health and survival of deep water species in the South …

We have developed an innovative way to detect species in the sea using environmental DNA (eDNA) extracted from water samples.

We developed tools to help decision-makers explore how best to use and share marine spaces.

We are reviewing new methods to help assess and manage risks to Aotearoa New Zealand’s marine ecosystems.

We investigated whether a range of different mathematical models accurately reflect seasonal seabird distributions in Aotearoa New Zealand w…

We evaluated how indigenous approaches have been incorporated into Canada’s marine resource management policies.

We investigated the concept of a digital repository to manage mātauranga Māori gathered by the Challenge.

We investigated how well EBM aligns with Aotearoa New Zealand’s legislation, policy and governance relating to the marine environment.

We aimed to identify and/or improve our understanding of institutional, social and cultural factors that need to be incorporated into EBM fo…

We produced guiding principles to help decision-makers manage the cumulative effects of human activities and natural events on the marine en…

We examined how the Kaituna River re-diversion strategy was developed, to identify success factors in stakeholder and iwi engagement that co…

We identified frameworks and principles for recognising the multiple values of the marine environment to support EBM.

We are investigating how to successfully put EBM into practice in Aotearoa New Zealand’s marine environment.

This project developed multimedia resources that can be used to explore what EBM for Aotearoa New Zealand looks like now, and how it could l…

This project combines mātauranga Māori, science and local kaitiakitanga to better understand the culturally and socially important species i…

We are investigating maramataka (Māori lunar calendars) as a framework to develop cultural coastal indicators to inform marine monitoring pr…

Co-developing tools and resources to empower kaitiaki decision-making in the domain of Tangaroa.

This project integrated knowledge from our previous research in Tasman and Golden Bays to inform the production of useful tools and resource…

Addressing key barriers that currently prevent Māori from using their marine resources in a more culturally relevant, economically impactful…

Encouraging restorative economies in Aotearoa New Zealand’s marine spaces

We are incorporating cumulative effects of multiple stressors (from human activities on land and sea) into decision-making tools.

This project aimed to draw together insights and learnings from our previous research to ensure the significant Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of …

This project brings together mātauranga Māori and science to develop new knowledge about cumulative effects

We are developing a research base for policy makers, Māori and stakeholders to navigate the legislative, policy and practice constraints sur…

We are investigating people's perceptions of risk and uncertainty in the marine environment and how these different experiences can improve …

Creating guidelines, models and tools that explicitly identify risk and uncertainty, to help make decision-making more inclusive and multi-s…

Exploring how Kaitiakitanga and EBM can operate alongside one another within coastal and marine environments.

Enabling kaitiaki to better manage Whareponga and Waipiro Bays

This collaboration in Hawke's Bay is mapping environmental stressors, their interactions, and providing guidance for reducing their impacts.

We have identified which marine activities have the potential to help New Zealand transition to a blue economy – ie they are sustainable, re…

We investigated how marine ecosystems respond to change, and identified tipping points, risks and ways of managing them.

We are developing web-based tools to enable New Zealanders to interact with and use knowledge generated by our research.

We developed simulation models for the Tasman and Golden Bays marine ecosystem to test what is likely to happen in different scenarios.

This research built a foundation for a world-leading indigenous blue economy in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We investigated the recovery and resilience of kelp forests associated with the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake.

We worked collaboratively with hapū in Tairāwhiti to develop bioactives from kina.

We investigated the regulatory, social, economic and environmental considerations relating to decommissioning offshore oil and gas infrastru…

We tested techniques to raise the pH of coastal waters around mussel farms to improve shellfish growth.

We studied initiatives to create economic value from sustainable marine activities that are based on healthy ecosystems. We used the finding…

We investigated the use of the term ‘social licence’ in Aotearoa New Zealand and what factors influence social licence.

We identified the best ways to involve interested parties in decision-making about the governance and management of marine environments.