NIWA

You might spot our new research vessel Kaharoa II working in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park over the next three weeks. 🚢   Researchers will be using underwater cameras to collect baseline data on what habitats and species are present in the area. 📹 The work will focus on seafloor communities across reefs, sand and mud habitats in what is one of New Zealand’s most valued and intensively used coastal spaces. As well as daytime surveys, scientists will work with lights during the night to capture images of fish sleeping on the seafloor and the nocturnal species that use the dark to forage. 🐟 The research is being conducted on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand in collaboration with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Seafood New Zealand. Find out more about the work here ➡️  https://lnkd.in/eHTfGkFP 📸 Armon

Kudos to the NIWA co-authors on this important report – Nicolas Fauchereau, Denise Fernandez, PhD, Ben Liley, Andrew (Drew) Lorrey, Tristan Meyers, Ben Noll and Piet Verburg – as well as all the other New Zealand and international contributors. From record heat and CO2 to major wildfires and – close to home – floods like Cyclone Gabrielle, 2023 was an eventful year for the State of the Climate.

Thank you Minister Hon Judith Collins KC MP for christening our new research vessel Kaharoa II. 🚢

NIWA’s brand-new research vessel, Kaharoa II, was officially christened by Minister Hon Judith Collins KC MP yesterday. 🍾 The vessel arrived in Wellington after spending 83 days sailing from Astilleros Armon shipyard in northern Spain, where it was built. 🚢 Kaharoa II replaces its predecessor Kaharoa, which is more than 40 years old and nearing the end of its working life with NIWA. Chief Executive John Morgan said Kaharoa II will help meet New Zealand’s fisheries, oceanography, and maritime research needs. “This new vessel represents a significant investment in essential New Zealand science capability and underpins our strengths in ocean science. It will support cost-effective, safe, and more environmentally friendly research of the highest quality.” Read the full story here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/emiHxmpF 📸 Luke McPake

Commercial-scale production of kingfish is now a reality in New Zealand. 🐟 The kingfish are grown at NIWA's state-of-the-art, land-based farm, which was officially opened today by Whangārei MP Hon Dr Shane Reti. The facility at NIWA’s Northland Aquaculture Centre in Ruakākā has been designed to demonstrate the commercial viability of land-based aquaculture, and it can produce up to 600 tonnes of kingfish each year. NIWA’s Chief Executive, John Morgan says the farm introduces a new species to help New Zealand meet the huge global demand for seafood, and it will help the industry reach its ambitious target of $3 billion by 2035. Read more here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eMPdeGtR 📸 Stuart Mackay

Science Minister Hon Judith Collins KC MP has announced NIWA’s purchase of a new $20 million supercomputer. 🖥️   The next generation supercomputer is the fourth NIWA has bought, since its initial investment in high performance computing for New Zealand in 1999.   “As the biggest research computer in New Zealand, it represents a $20 million investment in NIWA’s world-leading climate, marine and freshwater science and advanced technologies,” says NIWA Chief Executive, John Morgan.   The new computer will have 2.5 to 3 times more generational power than its predecessor, allowing for higher resolution, more frequent processing and additional AI workloads.   Read more here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/evVU-qHw 📸 Stuart Mackay

📰👀 Read NIWA climate scientist Nava Fedaeff's article in Build magazine about the recent release of updated high-resolution climate projections for Aotearoa New Zealand, and what they might mean for the building sector. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eyws5Nvk

Congratulations 👏 to our freshwater ecologists Drs Deborah Hofstra and Daniel Clements and emeritus scientist Paul Champion who were all honoured at the recent Aquatic Plant Management Society conference in Florida, USA. Deb and Paul both won an Outstanding Research/Technical Contributor Award, for ‘implementing an internationally prominent integrated programme of research, outreach, and operations in the management of invasive aquatic plants in New Zealand’ and their ‘leadership and publications that impact the science of aquatic plant management worldwide’. Dan received the Outstanding International Contributor award for ‘being recognised in the aquatic plant management research field internationally by working in multiple countries (AUS and NZ) for over a decade and increasing and disseminating knowledge regarding the detection, biology, ecology and management of multiple aquatic invasive plants of international significance’. 🌟 🌟 🌟 Read more about their work here https://lnkd.in/gcQKxkiK 📸 Dan and Deb with APMS Awards committee chair Dr Ryan Wersal.

The July edition of the Seafood New Zealand magazine features NIWA’s newest marine research vessel, Kaharoa II. 🚢 Kaharoa II is currently making its way home across the Pacific to add to our existing ocean fleet. The highly sophisticated research platform is set to transform New Zealand’s marine research capabilities. 🐟 The vessel sits under 500 tonnes and will carry out fisheries research, oceanography and a variety of maritime commercial operations. Read about it here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eXkBjeSP

📢 Reminder: Applications for the 24/25 BLAKE Ambassador Programme close this Sunday 4 August. Apply here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e3a3XCz