Our research

Sustainable Seas brought together Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest ever group of biophysical and social scientists, economists, and experts in mātauranga Māori and policy researchers. Together with Māori partners and stakeholders we embarked on our journey nearly a decade ago as one of 11 National Science Challenges, we set out to achieve this objective: To enhance utilisation of our marine resources within environmental and biological constraints.

Integration for Impact

Implementing the recommendations and solutions generated by Sustainable Seas will enable the objective of the Challenge to be met, and lead to three longer-term outcomes that are critical to achieving healthier seas: improved decision-making using an ecosystem-based management (EBM) approach, enhanced marine blue economy, and empowered mana moana.

Integration for impact

Four strands of synthesis

Improved decision-making using an ecosystem-based management (EBM) approach

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

Enhanced blue economy

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

Empowering Mana Moana

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

Research process

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

35 co-developed projects under 6 research themes.

All projects were co-developed with Māori partners, industry, end-users and/or stakeholders.

overview diagram of 2019-2023 themes and projects

Tangaroa

This research centres and is led by Māori, to explore the development of EBM that is founded on, and informed by mātauranga and tikanga Māori.

Degradation and recovery

Investigating how to assess the cumulative effects caused by human activities, and the potential for recovery

Blue economy

Investigating opportunities for marine activities that create economic value and contribute positively to ecological, cultural and social well-being in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Risk and uncertainty

Addressing how to improve decision-making by investigating people's perceptions of risk and uncertainty, and the best ways to communicate them.

Enhancing EBM practices

Investigating how practice, policy, regulation and legislation can be tailored to support EBM for Aotearoa New Zealand.

EBM in action

Working with stakeholders and Māori partners to undertake real-world trials of the EBM knowledge and tools our research is generating.

40 projects under 7 research programmes

These projects that increased our knowledge about our coasts and oceans, produced new tools for marine management, built relationships with stakeholders and Māori partners, and developed the concept of EBM for Aotearoa

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Innovation fund

This has funded 23 innovative research projects in partnership with enterprise and business organisations, that will help build a blue economy in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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