SCIENCE FOR A PROSPEROUS AND RESILIENT FUTURE
Cover: Kingfish in the recirculating aquaculture system at NIWA’s Northland Aquaculture Centre. [Crispin Middleton]
Right: NIWA’s kingfish aquaculture facility in Ruakākā was officially opened in August this year. [Stuart Mackay]
NIWA SCIENCE
OUR MISSION
To support the wellbeing of Aotearoa New Zealand’s people and businesses through
• effective responses to climate change
• improved environmental management
• sustainable use of natural resources
OUR
CORE PURPOSE
• to enhance the economic value and sustainable management of Aotearoa New Zealand’s aquatic resources and environments
• to provide understanding of climate and the atmosphere
• to increase resilience to weather and climate hazards to improve the safety and wellbeing of New Zealanders
NIWA will fulfil its purpose through the provision of research and transfer of technology and knowledge in partnership with key stakeholders, including industry, government and Māori to
• increase economic growth through the sustainable management and use of aquatic resources
• grow renewable energy production through developing a greater understanding of renewable aquatic and atmospheric energy resources
• increase the resilience of New Zealand and South-West Pacific islands to tsunami and weather and climate hazards, including drought, floods and sea-level change
• enable New Zealand to adapt to the impacts and exploit the opportunities of climate variability and change and mitigate changes in atmospheric composition from greenhouse gases and air pollutants
• enhance the stewardship of New Zealand’s freshwater and marine ecosystems and biodiversity
• increase understanding of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean climate, cryosphere, oceans and ecosystems and their longer-term impact on New Zealand
Presented to the House of Representatives pursuant to section 44 of the Public Finance Act 1989.
The NIWA Annual Report for 2024 is presented in two parts – the Year in Review and the Annual Report (Financial Statements). Collectively, these two documents fulfil our annual reporting responsibilities under the Crown Research Institutes Act 1992.
The Year in Review is an illustrated document containing the Chairman and Chief Executive’s report, descriptions of our research capabilities and performance, including our partnerships with Māori, work with collaborators and stakeholders, and an overview of our people. Both reports are available digitally at www.niwa.co.nz/about/annual-reports
Published by: NIWA
82 Wyndham Street, Auckland Central 1010, New Zealand
September 2024
ISSN 1172-8140 (print) ISSN 2423-0901 (online) www.niwa.co.nz
OUR SCIENCE
CLIMATE
New Zealand’s pre-eminent provider of atmospheric and climate science
• Climate change and variability
• High-precision weather forecasting
• Weather-related hazard forecasting
• Adaptation and mitigation
230 Science staff
New Zealand’s largest team of climate scientists
6,500 Climate stations
The National Climate Database with information from 6,500 climate stations covering
New Zealand, South-West Pacific and Antarctica
FRESHWATER
$42M Annual investment In weather and climate research
$18M Supercomputer
Enabling precise, highly localised forecasts
Supporting the sustainable management of our freshwater resources
• Freshwater quality and quantity
• Biodiversity and biosecurity
• Sustainable use
• Flood forecasting
240 Science staff
New Zealand’s largest team of freshwater scientists
A national flood forecasting service
Providing river flow forecasts for 50,000 catchments nationwide
MARINE
$40M Annual investment Increasing knowledge of water quantity and quality
500 Hydrological monitoring stations
A nationwide network of water and soil moisture monitoring stations
Understanding, managing and maximising the benefits of our marine estate
• New Zealand’s marine estate Fisheries stock assessment
• Sustainable use of marine resources
• Biodiversity and biosecurity
• High-value species aquaculture
260 Science staff
New Zealand’s largest team of ocean scientists
Northland Aquaculture Centre
New Zealand’s leading science facility for aquaculture R&D with an experimental Recirculating Aquaculture System to demonstrate the viability of commercial-scale production of high-value species on land
$67M Annual investment
In coast and ocean, fisheries and aquaculture science
State-of-the-art research vessels
Supporting the New Zealand science community
SCIENCE
A PROSPEROUS AND RESILIENT FUTURE
PROSPERITY AND RESILIENCE
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE REVIEW
As New Zealand’s leading oceans, freshwater, climate and atmosphere science organisation, our focus is on advancing new research and innovation initiatives to enhance the economic value and sustainable management of New Zealand’s marine and freshwater resources and environments, and improve our understanding of the changing climate and atmosphere. We continue to broaden and strengthen our technological capabilities to improve our operational efficiency and effectiveness, and enhance our scientific discovery and impact.
In 2024, we celebrated the culmination of three major projects that will help build our economy, drive science forward and increase our resilience as a nation.
• The Recirculating Aquaculture System at our Northland Aquaculture Centre will help grow the aquaculture sector and boost regional development.
• Our new research vessel Kaharoa II will help us better understand, and maximise the sustainable development of, New Zealand’s extensive marine resources.
• Our new supercomputer will increase the accuracy, frequency and precision of climate and weather forecasts, thereby increasing the security and productivity of weather-dependent industries and helping the nation better prepare for the impact of climate change and extreme weather events.
Kaharoa II will help us better understand, and maximise the sustainable development of, New Zealand’s extensive marine resources.
In August,
research
Directors
The Recirculating Aquaculture System at our Northland Aquaculture Centre will help grow the aquaculture sector and boost regional development.
Above:
NIWA’s new
vessel Kaharoa II arrived in its home port, Wellington, after spending 83 days sailing from Vigo, Spain where it was built. [Caroline Beamish]
Right: Past NIWA Board of
Chairs Sir Chris Mace and Sue Suckling with current Chair Barry Harris at the launch of the recirculating aquaculture system at NIWA’s Northland Aquaculture Centre in Ruakākā. [Stuart Mackay]
1. Kingfish farming a commercial reality
On 13 August this year, Whangārei MP Hon Dr Shane Reti officially opened NIWA’s unique kingfish aquaculture facility, designed to establish the commercial viability of on-land aquaculture.
The $18 million facility, based at our Northland Aquaculture Centre in Ruakākā, is a joint venture with the Northland Regional Council. In perfect weather, 200 enthusiastic and highly engaged partners, collaborators, science and industry leaders, iwi partners, local community representatives and media were treated to a full tour of the facility, culminating in a tasting of the outstanding product.
The facility uses a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), which gives full and immediate control over all aspects of production and superior environmental performance –minimising water use, reducing wastewater discharge, conserving resources and minimising environmental footprint.
It sets a precedent for forward-thinking, environmentally friendly farming and is intended to catalyse New Zealand’s onshore aquaculture industry, providing a proof-of-concept that drives similar privately and publicly funded farms around the country, bringing economic and societal growth through on-land farming of high-value species.
This experimental facility is designed to produce 600 tonnes of kingfish annually, destined for the plates of high-end restaurants across New Zealand and abroad – providing a white fleshed complement to our prized Chinook salmon.
Whangārei MP Hon Dr Shane Reti officially opened the recirculating aquaculture system at NIWA’s Northland Aquaculture Centre in August. [Stuart Mackay]
Minster of Science, Innovation and Technology Hon Judith Collins KC officially christened NIWA’s new research vessel Kaharoa II at Queen’s Wharf, Wellington in August. [Luke McPake]
2. A critical investment in marine science
Our second major celebration was the blessing and christening of our new $35 million marine research vessel Kaharoa II. The vessel arrived in Wellington to a dawn blessing after an 83-day transit from the Astilleros Armon shipyard in northern Spain, where it was built. Kaharoa II was officially christened on 19 August by Science Minister Hon Judith Collins KC. Following tradition, the Minister smashed a bottle of sparkling wine (Cloudy Bay Pelorus méthode traditionnelle) against its hull.
A new era for the exploration of the seas
Santiago Martin, Managing Director, Armon
The new vessel replaces its predecessor, Kaharoa, which is more than 40 years old and nearing the end of its working life for NIWA. Kaharoa II is a significantly enhanced, next generation research vessel. Designed by renowned Norwegian naval architects Skipsteknisk, who specialise in research and fisheries vessels,
it has 35 days’ endurance and a 6,500 nautical mile range, meaning it will be able to go further for longer, from inshore studies to the deep oceans.
It represents a significant investment in essential New Zealand marine science capability, and will help ensure the maximum sustainable development of our marine resources. The new vessel is quieter under the water, causing less disturbance to the environment, and is eight metres longer and more comfortable than its predecessor, with increased laboratory and deck space, and can accommodate six crew members and up to nine scientists.
Helping ensure our wild fisheries are sustainable through our fisheries stock assessment is a major component of NIWA’s work, and Kaharoa II will play a key role in that. Advanced acoustic technology has been installed for fisheries research and deepwater seafloor surveys, dynamic positioning allows the vessel to maintain station, and the bow thruster can act as an alternative propulsion system that can propel the vessel at up to seven knots.
It will also continue NIWA’s major contribution to the international Argo
programme, which deploys floats throughout the world’s oceans to measure water conditions for marine and atmospheric research. Kaharoa has deployed about onequarter of the 4,000 Argo floats globally – far more than any other vessel – and Kaharoa II will continue this legacy, having already started by deploying 152 Argo floats across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on its maiden voyage to New Zealand.
Overall, what’s impressive about Kaharoa II is how it packs such a huge amount of high-tech equipment into a relatively small vessel. Its first New Zealand research voyage will be collecting underwater imagery of seafloor biodiversity, habitats and fish in the Hauraki Gulf, capturing images with a new multi-camera video system.
3. Powering advanced technologies
Finally, this year also saw the announcement of New Zealand’s next generation supercomputer, the fourth NIWA has bought since its initial investment in high performance computing in 1999. It represents a $20 million investment in NIWA’s world-leading climate, marine and freshwater science and advanced technologies that will benefit all New Zealanders and our Pacific Islands neighbours.
Located at two state-of-the art data centres in Auckland, with the highest security and sustainability credentials, it is the most powerful research supercomputer in New Zealand, keeping NIWA at the forefront of international supercomputing and AI developments. It has 2.5 to 3 times more generational power than its predecessor, allowing for higher resolution, more frequent processing and additional AI workloads. With our nation increasingly disrupted by extreme weather events, the new supercomputer will enable highresolution weather and climate forecasting 24/7, using data from weather stations all around the world.
And it’s not just weather forecasting. NIWA is the science lead in the international satellite mission (MethaneSAT) detecting global emissions of methane – including those from agricultural sources. But if it’s windy, the methane will be blown away from its source, so we need high-resolution weather models to show us the origin of the methane. That requires huge computational resources.
It will also be used to help keep us all safe in the outdoors through weather forecasting services for the Department of Conservation and by supporting FENZ in their fire and emergency services. The supercomputer is also capable of tailored expansion to meet the supercomputing requirements of other science institutions – here and throughout the Pacific.
Keeping NIWA at the forefront of international supercomputing and AI developments.
Minster of Science, Innovation and Technology Hon Judith Collins KC joins NIWA CEO John Morgan and CDC Managing Director Andrew Kirker at the announcement of NIWA’s new next generation supercomputer. [Stuart Mackay]
Right: NIWA researchers are testing new technologies and methods for measuring methane emissions from agriculture and waste, including using drones and vehiclemounted instruments. [Nava Fedaeff]
A challenging year
Despite our science being in higher demand than ever, this has been a challenging year, particularly as a result of financial challenges faced by our key customers and the wind-up of the National Science Challenges, two of which were hosted by NIWA – Sustainable Seas and Deep South. It was clear that the challenging economic environment would continue into the coming year or two, so we took a close look at our revenue and expenditure, and moved quickly to reduce our costs to ensure that we remained financially sustainable. The outcome was a reduction of 58 positions and a number of vacancies being left unfilled.
These were difficult decisions. It has been a tough year for many, and the coming year will remain a challenge; however, we are confident that we are well positioned to meet our customers’ and the nation’s needs.
Thanks to the commitment of our staff and management in pursuing all possible revenue opportunities, careful management of costs and maximising operational productivity and efficiency, NIWA’s full year revenue was $198.76 million. That was $0.95 million below budget, but $12.72 million more than last year. Approximately half of that revenue was attributed to the development of new knowledge through our research, and the other half through the commercial application of our science throughout the public and private sectors, and abroad.
Financial summary for the year ended 30 June 2024
Marine physicist Dr Craig Stewart works with colleagues from the Italian research icebreaker Laura Bassi to deploy NIWA’s ocean glider “Manaia” in Antarctic waters. [Lana Young]
Science highlights
Despite the challenges and disruptions, we achieved 100% of our science Key Performance Indicators. We worked on 1,459 science projects during the year, 98.4% of which were completed within customer-agreed timeframes. We comment on some of those projects below.
Climate
A $5 million annual package of new projects this year was aimed specifically at tackling some of New Zealand’s most pressing challenges, including preparing for and responding to extreme weather events. The package includes an additional $2.3 million per year for extreme weatherrelated research, including forecasting impacts and supporting climate changeresilient infrastructure development – to better inform investment and prosperity.
The national climate projections for New Zealand were updated. Funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the model outputs will be freely available for all
New Zealanders in support of the transition to a low-emissions, climate-resilient economy by helping New Zealanders better understand their climate-related risks. It will improve decision making for climate adaptation and support resilience to extreme weather events.
A newly launched tool to predict dryness and drought is helping farmers and growers better prepare for challenging weather conditions. Developed by NIWA and the Ministry for Primary Industries, the free drought-forecasting tool uses the latest in artificial intelligence and long-range weather modelling to provide week-toweek predictions of rainfall, dryness and potential drought 35 days into the future. The outlook updates daily, capturing the latest changes in the climate system, and offering long-term forecasts at a much higher spatial resolution than previously available.
The global initiative to track and reduce methane emissions advanced with the spectacular launch of its satellite this year. The satellite is already sending back data. MethaneSAT is led by the US Environmental
Defense Fund, and the New Zealand arm of the project is studying global emissions from agriculture – such as ruminant farming and rice production – using the satellite’s high precision and spatial resolution. NIWA will be part of the first team globally to develop and prove this capability. In March, our team gathered at Rocket Lab’s Auckland facility to watch the SpaceX rocket launch MethaneSAT into space from California.
Supporting climate change-resilient infrastructure development to better inform investment and prosperity.
Above: New Zealand space industry leaders gather at RocketLab’s Auckland Mission Control Centre to watch the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the MethaneSAT satellite into orbit. [Stuart Mackay]
Right: Thirsty Romney sheep stick close to the drinking trough during drought conditions in Hawke’s Bay. [Caroline Beamish]
Freshwater
NIWA is developing a national river flow forecasting tool for New Zealand to support and strengthen our planning for and response to extreme rainfall events. By providing accurate and reliable predictions of the effect of extreme rainfall on river levels, the tool will help New Zealanders better prepare and respond to such extreme events.
Our state-of-the-art snowmelt forecast system enables more accurate and confident forecasts of river flow and alpine hazards across New Zealand. This work, funded by MBIE, will enable people working in hazard management, energy, agriculture and tourism to better respond to rain-on-snow impacts on river flows and alpine hazards.
Our hydrologists are supporting the development of nationally consistent environmental policy and local management of freshwater. Integrated water resource management is technically challenging, but vital to balance environmental, human health and economic needs. In a report for the Ministry for the Environment, our
researchers collated water quantity data from four regions with high water demand, varying climates and water uses and made recommendations to assist with future planning and provide ideas to be incorporated into future water accounting.
Our annual snowline survey showed the continuing shrinkage of New Zealand’s glaciers. Since the 1970s, NIWA has been flying over New Zealand’s mountain ranges to conduct an end-of-summer snowline survey, observing the state of our glaciers and elevation of the snowline. This year, we also worked with landscape art historian Dr George Hook to study 19th Century paintings by artist John Gully, whose work featured many of the mountains and glaciers across the South Island, noting he had already captured ice retreat way back in the mid-1800s.
The national river flow forecasting tool will help New Zealanders better prepare for and respond to extreme rainfall events.
Marine
We investigated the impact of sediment on Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti seafloor ecosystems after Cyclone Gabrielle to support fisheries management decisions by Fisheries New Zealand. Satellite imagery, seafloor mapping and underwater cameras were used during the surveys, and, although significant impacts were observed, some areas were already showing positive signs of recovery.
New NIWA research found that ship anchors may cause extensive and longlasting damage to the seafloor. We anchored our research vessel Tangaroa in Wellington Harbour and observed in real-time how its anchor changed the surrounding environment, noting broomstick-like scarring on the seabed. This work is part of a larger project aimed at combating the harm caused globally by anchoring vessels, including cruise ships.
Additional studies of the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption –one in collaboration with the UK National Oceanography Centre – found that the eruption triggered a huge surge of rock, ash and gas. This travelled at speeds of up to 122km/hour – the fastest underwater flow ever recorded, by up to 50%. Another study that comprehensively mapped the immediate after-effects showed that underwater mountains (seamounts) effectively sheltered much of the life on and around the seamounts, whereas life on the rest of the seafloor was wiped out.
Strange fish behaviour was recorded by NIWA scientists working in the Marlborough Sounds. They were investigating the abundance and size of blue cod by using lasers attached to underwater cameras. The technique was successful, but what was remarkable was that the cod were chasing the lasers, just like cats do! That’s behaviour they have never seen before in any other fish species.
Above: Marine researchers retrieve water samples during investigations in Wellington Harbour on the impact of large vessels anchoring on the seafloor. [Stuart Mackay]
Left: NIWA’s river flow forecasting tool shows the impact of an incoming westerly rainfall event on river catchments flowing into key hydro lakes and down into the West Coast. [NIWA]
Advanced technologies
NIWA and the University of Canterbury have developed non-invasive methods for surveying and harvesting scallops using artificial intelligence. Several thousand images of scallops were captured using cameras mounted on the university’s underwater drone. The images were then used by data scientists in designing algorithms to detect scallops lying on the seafloor, meaning they can now be studied without having to use invasive methods such as dredging.
A flood forecasting tool that harnesses NIWA’s High Performance Computing facility is being used to support and strengthen our planning for and response to extreme rainfall events. The tool provides hourly forecasts, with 48 hours lead time, for approximately 60,000 river reaches across New Zealand. The forecasts are displayed as relative flow values based on long-term flow simulations – these were generated from 40 years of climate records from hundreds of sites in NIWA’s Virtual
Climate Station Network. By providing accurate and reliable predictions of the effect of extreme rainfall on river levels, the tool will ultimately aid public safety.
NIWA is leading a Surveillance Tools and Technologies Project that uses satellites, drones and remote operated vehicles (ROVs) to understand ocean life, with particular focus on biosecurity. The aim is to protect aquatic ecosystems from invasive species such as caulerpa and to measure the state of our marine environment.
Videos from ROVs are run through a pioneering machine learning programme that identifies invasive species, eliminating the need for people to spend hours watching the footage. Novel algorithms have been developed from satellite data provided by NASA, the US Geological Society and the European Space Agency.
AI is widely used across NIWA’s science.
NIWA researchers use specialised underwater cameras in an AI-detection system to monitor the incursion of exotic caulerpa. [Irene Middleton]
Working with others
NIWA’s strength in climate, freshwater and marine science and advanced technologies continues to enhance, rather than reduce, our collaboration with other scientists and institutions. Partnerships with Māori and Pacific Island communities are cornerstones of our achievements each year as we seek solutions to national and international challenges and the best possible outcomes for all New Zealanders and our Pacific neighbours.
In March, our scientists embarked on a hugely successful expedition to the underexplored Bounty Trough, off the east coast of the South Island. About 100 new species were discovered during the three-week voyage on NIWA’s research vessel Tangaroa. This was the first flagship Southern Hemisphere expedition for Ocean Census, a global alliance to accelerate the discovery and protection of life in the ocean, founded by The Nippon Foundation and UK ocean exploration organisation Nekton. A team of 19 scientists, two videographers and 16 crew members from NIWA, Te Papa, Ocean Census and the Ocean Census Taxonomy Network were involved in the expedition, which gained worldwide media attention.
We are working with Rangitāne o Wairau, Marlborough District Council and Toka Tū Ake Natural Hazards Commission (previously EQC) to explore how impacts from extreme coastal flooding and sea-level rise are affecting whenua Māori, wāhi tapu and taonga, with a particular focus on Te awa o Wairau and the Wairau Bar and the adjacent environs. The two-year project is integrating Te Ao Māori into the science-based models that planners use to make decisions about coastal adaptation in Marlborough. The goal is to better understand and prepare for natural hazard impacts on Māori in Te Tauihu-o-te Waka and beyond.
NIWA scientists joined 25 Italian researchers on the RV Laura Bassi for a two-month voyage of discovery in Antarctica’s Ross Sea, with the aim of informing future climate policy. The team explored much of the Ross Sea continental shelf, measuring ocean variables and deploying robots and other instrumentation to study ocean temperatures, sea-level rise and ecosystems of the area.
A deep-sea squat lobster recovered during March’s Ocean Census voyage. Despite their name, these crustaceans are more closely related to hermit crabs and can form dense aggregations on the seafloor. [Rebekah Parsons-King]
Researchers carefully pick through samples recovered from the Bounty Trough seafloor. Almost 100 new species were discovered during the Ocean Census voyage aboard RV Tangaroa. [Rebekah Parsons-King]
An increasingly sustainable future
This year, we were invited to become a member of the Sustainable Business Council. In addition, our Toitū Carbonreduce Programme has been given official verification. Together, this means that we can now share resources and collaborate at executive level with other companies to collectively help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
Over the past few years, we have been busy profiling our output, including greenhouse gas emissions, water and waste. We have made reductions in all areas and are on track for our five-year reduction target of 5% in emissions intensity, and an absolute reduction in larger emissions by 2025. However, four significant challenges remain – vehicle and boat fuel, air travel transport and freight, energy and product use.
We are developing new science-aligned targets for 2025–30 for a total reduction of our emissions profile. To achieve this goal, we are investing in new equipment and infrastructure, including our most recent supercomputer, which has three times the processing power of its predecessor, but will be installed in a facility which uses 100% renewable power.
What the future holds
Looking ahead, we know the next year or two will have their challenges. However, we remain optimistic in the medium term, knowing that the solutions our science can provide are of both national and global significance and are in high demand. The top four risks facing the globe, as assessed by the World Economic Forum, all fall completely within our wheelhouse –extreme weather events, critical change
Above: Two Tahaaroa lake monitoring waananga have been held with Ngaati Mahuta. The first (pictured) was held in November 2023 for the hapuu and a second was held in April 2024 for the Tahaaroa Lakes Trustees. [Keith Kana, Ngaati Mahuta]
Right: One of the eight 350,000-litre recirculating aquaculture system tanks at NIWA’s Northland Aquaculture Centre. Each can hold up to 30 tonnes of premium grade kingfish. [Stuart Mackay]
to Earth systems, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, and natural resources shortages.
There are several New Zealand sciencesector initiatives currently in play. The following are of particular interest to NIWA.
• The Weather Forecasting System Review, which aims, among other things, to identify the optimal arrangements and responsibilities for the nation’s weather forecasting system from research through to impact, with a primary focus on NIWA and MetService. NIWA contributed positively to the review, and looks forward to the outcome.
• The Science System Review, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, which is providing advice on how to improve the effectiveness and impact of the science sector in New Zealand. This will outline issues the sector faces, such as its effectiveness, inefficiencies and poor connections, as well as the aspirations of the sector and opportunities for growth. NIWA is very supportive of the review and worked with the other CRIs
to provide a collective Science New Zealand submission, in addition to providing our own.
• The eScience Review, which is examining the future of NeSI (New Zealand eScience Infrastructure), REANNZ (Research Education Advanced Network New Zealand) and the potential for a National Data Management Centre. NIWA, as the nation’s principal supercomputing provider, has been working closely with REANNZ on these issues, particularly with the plan for REANNZ to pick up the suite of services currently provided by NeSi and REANNZ.
We thank everyone at NIWA – the Board, the Executive Team and all our staff – for their dedication, support, skills and commitment during a particularly challenging year. We will need more of the same over the next year to help weather these tough economic times and respond to the growing demands for our science. We would also like to thank and farewell former Director Tracy Batten for her governance contribution over the past six years.
NIWA offers unparalleled capabilities to help address the opportunities and challenges ahead. We turn knowledge into action and impact, and we harness our collective effort through quality relationships with stakeholders, iwi and partners. While the next couple of years will be turbulent, we believe our organisation is in the best position to help deliver a prosperous and resilient future for our nation.
Barry Harris Chairman
John Morgan Chief Executive
The following section of this Year in Review, ‘NIWA Science’, pp. 17–49, includes selected examples of how our science is applied for the benefit of the nation.
How NIWA guides the nation to a prosperous and resilient future
Impactful science
Using:
Scientific and technological expertise leveraging technology
Working with others fostering partnership and technological advances
Outstanding people whose skills are developed, and wellbeing ensured
A sustainable financial approach enabling our capital and operating expenditure
State-of-the-art equipment and facilities for usable and used science
Natural resources with the lowest possible environmental footprint
Our:
The resulting impacts of our science are: Enhancing prosperity in a changing climate Reducing the drivers of climate change
preparedness and resilience to extreme weather and coastal hazards
NIWA’s intent and aspirations for minimising its impact on the environment and contributing positively to social, economic, cultural and environmental sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are encompassed within how we create value.
Excellent science leads to improved data, collections, and knowledge
Cooperation, collaboration and co-development lead to stronger relationships
Staff have increased science capability and capacity
Revenue and cash-flow supports science missions for the long term
Future science is enabled by investment in state-ofthe-art equipment and technologies
Impactful science contributes to protected or enhanced environments
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are aligned with NIWA’s outcomes throughout this Year in Review.
NIWA SCIENCE
SCIENCE OUTCOME 1
INFORMING ADAPTATION TO A CHANGING CLIMATE
SCIENCE OUTCOME 2
MITIGATING THE DRIVERS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
SCIENCE OUTCOME 3
ENHANCING RESILIENCE TO EXTREME WEATHER AND OCEAN HAZARDS
SCIENCE OUTCOME 4
PROTECTING OUR BIODIVERSITY
SCIENCE OUTCOME 5
IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
SCIENCE OUTCOME 6 ENABLING WATER SECURITY
SCIENCE OUTCOME 7
GROWING A RESILIENT SEAFOOD SECTOR
SCIENCE OUTCOME 8
GROWING SUSTAINABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY
INFORMING ADAPTION TO A CHANGING CLIMATE
PLANNING FOR AND ADAPTING TO THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
• Providing climate projections to 2100
• Determining the impact of climate change on extreme weather, including cyclones, floods and droughts
• Developing rapid climate change attribution capability
• Refining adaptation pathways and decision-support frameworks
• Quantifying climate change exposure, risks and impacts across multiple environments
REDUCING THE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
• Improving ecosystem models of surface and groundwater and river and lake responses
• Determining the impacts of sea-level rise on coastal lowlands and communities
• Outlining the impacts of ocean change on marine ecosystem health, fish and shellfish
• Providing climate projections for aquaculture development
FUTURE-PROOFING WATER SECURITY
Assessing water demand, allocation and use under different scenarios
• Improving predictions of the effects of climate change on hydrological processes and water resources
A Hawke’s Bay farm in drought. [Caroline Beamish]
Updated climate projections for Aotearoa
NIWA and the Ministry for the Environment released updated national climate projections for New Zealand in July 2024. These projections are supporting our transition to a climate-resilient, lowemissions economy.
The projections are based on downscaling of six global climate models from the CMIP6 suite of projections described in the IPCC’s recent 6th Assessment Report. The downscaling process took 12 months to run on NIWA’s supercomputer – the equivalent of running 150 modern high-end laptops constantly for a year. The downscaling is done at much higher spatial resolution than the previous iteration and takes into account detailed information about New Zealand’s unique landscape and climate conditions alongside the global data.
The work was funded by the Ministry for Business, Innovation & Employment and the data has been made freely available through an interactive map-based portal developed by the Ministry for the Environment.
NIWA is using the projections to help stakeholders such as iwi, councils and industry to better understand their climaterelated risks to improve decision-making for climate adaptation and to support resilience to extreme weather events.
Example of two of the strongest simulated category 5 tropical cyclones from NIWA’s latest high-resolution climate modelling. The image on the left shows an example storm in the historical period, while the image on the right shows an example of a possible storm in the far future (2080s) intensified by a high emissions future global warming scenario. [NIWA]
New drought dashboard put to the test
In a two-year project, NIWA and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) worked together to develop a drought forecasting dashboard, which launched just in time to help the primary sector prepare for dry conditions associated with the first El Niño in several years.
The tool leverages innovative climate modelling, data-driven techniques, and deep learning algorithms to empower farmers and growers to better prepare for periods of dryness and drought. In a worldfirst, it provides 35-day rainfall outlooks, helping people to understand confidence levels in predicted outcomes.
Seasonal rainfall accumulation and rainfall outlook graphs for each territorial authority offer an overview of observed and forecasted rainfall compared to normal, aiding in long-term planning. The weekly
outlook presents rainfall anomalies over the next five weeks, to help with short-term decision-making.
The dashboard also provides insights on current and future drought conditions utilising the New Zealand Drought Index (NZDI), combining rainfall, soil moisture and evapotranspiration to estimate meteorological drought conditions. This offers an overview of forecasted dryness severity, helping the sector to understand potential impacts.
This collaboration between NIWA and MPI represents a significant step forward in addressing an important challenge facing the agricultural sector – one that will become more significant as our climate changes.
A new tool to predict dryness and drought will help farmers and growers be better prepared for challenging weather conditions.
[Caroline Beamish]
MITIGATING THE DRIVERS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
REDUCING AGRICULTURAL GREENHOUSE GASES
• Measuring greenhouse gas emissions from farm to global scales
• Leading MethaneSAT to locate and quantify methane emissions worldwide
• Attributing greenhouse gas emissions from different land uses
• Assessing emission reduction management and policy
• Maintaining long time-series observations of key atmospheric gases, supporting global science and diplomatic efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
QUANTIFYING AND PROMOTING GREENHOUSE GAS UPTAKE AND SEQUESTRATION
• Quantifying carbon uptake and sequestration by indigenous forests
• Developing decision-support tools with Māori partners and stakeholders to promote low emission approaches
• Investigating the impact of pest control on carbon uptake by indigenous forests
• Determining the potential for carbon sequestration in coastal and marine environments
NIWA researchers use a drone to test new methods for measuring methane emissions from agriculture and waste. [Nava Fedaeff]
Lift-off for MethaneSAT
March 2024 marked a key milestone for MethaneSAT – a global collaboration targeted at detecting methane emissions from space – with the successful launch of the satellite from California’s Vandenburg Space Force Base.
Methane is the second most abundant man-made greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. While it has a much shorter atmospheric lifespan than carbon dioxide, methane is considerably more destructive, with one molecule of methane warming the Earth as much as 86 molecules of carbon dioxide on a 20-year timeframe.
Led by the US Environmental Defense Fund, MethaneSAT’s primary mission is to fight climate change by highlighting methane released through leaks and production faults in oil and gas facilities around the world.
The satellite’s high-resolution sensors are also capable of picking up the more diffuse air column signals from dispersed agricultural emissions, and NIWA’s Dr Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher is leading the New Zealand-based programme using the satellite data to study these.
Our unusual greenhouse gas profile –methane-heavy – makes New Zealand well suited to this research, alongside our long history of world-class measurements and methane modelling.
Atmospheric researchers have been laying the groundwork for the agricultural science project since 2021: developing and testing models to help them make sense of the satellite data; preparing and testing instruments to validate the satellite’s information from the ground; and identifying the best places for the satellite to measure agricultural emissions around the world.
Access to the satellite data now means the research can proceed at pace.
NIWA joined its partners at RocketLab in Auckland to view the launch of the MethaneSAT satellite in March. MethaneSAT is a global initiative that will measure methane emissions with unprecedented precision.
Counting our marine carbon
One of the largest stores of organic carbon on Earth is found in marine sediments on the floors of our oceans. This process helps regulate climate change by accumulating and burying carbon for thousands to millions of years. But the size of the sediment organic carbon stocks and its risk of disruption are not well studied in New Zealand.
New maps developed by NIWA marine geoscientists have given us the first inventory of organic carbon in marine sediments for the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). An important first step in understanding our marine carbon stocks, NIWA found that approximately 2,240 million tonnes of organic carbon is stored in marine sediments, which equates to about one percent of the estimated global carbon reserves.
Released by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, the research highlighted specific areas of elevated organic carbon stocks, and which areas of marine sediments were most at risk of disruption. It found the organic carbon stocks are distributed unevenly throughout the EEZ with 66 percent found in areas deeper than 1,500 metres, 26 percent found on continental slopes and eight percent in shallow coastal and continental environments. Presently, these shelf, slope and coastal environments are most vulnerable to natural and human-induced disturbance.
Microscopic organisms, such as this phytoplankton, play a key role in the marine carbon capture cycle. They are responsible for returning millions of tonnes of organic carbon to marine sediments. [NOOA]
[Stuart Mackay]
ENHANCING RESILIENCE TO EXTREME WEATHER AND OCEAN HAZARDS
PRODUCING ACCURATE FORECASTS OF EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND THEIR IMPACT
• Advancing 24/7 multi-hazard forecasting, especially impact forecasts of extreme events
Accelerating development of flood and inundation forecasting
• Expanding the use of RiskScape as an all-hazards platform nationally and in the wider Pacific
• Developing very-high-resolution weather-hazard forecasts
• Working with the UK Met Office on the next AI-enhanced global weather and climate model to provide New Zealand with the world’s best forecasting capability
• Working with Māori business to develop bespoke decisionsupport tools to plan for and mitigate severe weather events
ENHANCING RESILIENCE TO SUBMARINE AND COASTAL HAZARDS
• Developing AI systems to identify rip currents to improve public safety
Predicting changes to the tidal cycle as a result of sea-level rise to improve infrastructure planning
• Contributing offshore fault and eruption risk information to support development of GNS Science’s National Seismic Hazard Model
• Quantifying the impact of extreme weather events on the marine ecosystem
Marine ecologist Steph Mangan wades across a reef near Tokomaru Bay as part of a drone survey of the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on the Tairāwhiti coast. [Hamish Sutton]
National flood map to improve resilience
Researchers working on the Ministry for Business, Innovation & Employment
Endeavour-funded research programme
Mā te haumaru ō te wai have developed the first version of a national flood map.
The five-year NIWA-led programme is developing a system to map flood hazard consistently across the whole country. The researchers are investigating flood exposure according to type of land use, as well as risk to buildings, infrastructure networks, and long-term sustainability of flood schemes or defences.
The team now has a full workflow in place for national-scale flood mapping, including the creation of datasets for assessing exposure and risk. Feedback from the first version of the flood map will inform improvements to the second version –which will be made publicly available around the middle of 2025.
In addition, the researchers are working with three case study communities and have developed complex systems maps that capture all the different feedback loops and intricacies of the human side of flooding. These are being presented back to the communities involved.
The research is providing a forum for researchers, iwi, stakeholders and government to discuss flood inundation hazard and risk, and to co-develop strategies for a more flood resilient Aotearoa. The national River Managers Forum is a key stakeholder in this project.
Researchers are creating national flood maps from data such as this aerial LiDAR survey of at-risk infrastructure along the Ūawa River in Tolaga Bay. [NIWA]
In the months following Cyclone Gabrielle, NIWA researchers carried out detailed marine surveys off the coast of Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti to collect valuable data on fisheries habitats and seabed ecosystems before it was literally washed away. [Rebekah Parsons-King]
Marine impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle
Cyclone Gabrielle cost the agriculture, horticulture and viticulture industries an estimated $1.7 billion, but the long-term effects on our coasts and oceans are not as easily measured.
A vast amount of freshwater, sediment and debris made its way to our coasts and oceans in the aftermath. To study the movement of material from land to sea, NIWA researchers utilised innovative methods, expertise and NIWA’s world-class research vessels.
A source-tracing investigation showed the major sources of soil erosion via rivers, achieved by matching samples on land with cores collected from the seafloor.
Aerial drone maps showed the impact on invertebrates and seaweeds in the nearshore. And researchers were able to explore the effect on fisheries and enable rapid fisheries management decisions by combining seafloor mapping, satellite imagery, sampling and underwater cameras.
The findings from this work are helping government agencies, councils and many other partners, including iwi and hapū from Hawke’s Bay to East Cape. The results are being used to help build resilience for future events through sharing of knowledge with iwi and the community directly affected.
PROTECTING OUR BIODIVERSITY
HELPING PROTECT AND RESTORE NEW ZEALAND’S BIODIVERSITY
• Measuring the ecological functions and values of biodiversity and biogenic habitats
Working with Māori to develop maps of habitats to support cultural outcomes and delivery of key ecosystem functions and services
• Developing tools to anticipate the impacts of climate change on aquatic biodiversity
IMPROVING THE MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF AQUATIC BIODIVERSITY AND HABITATS
Developing technology-based methods to survey and map biodiversity
• Working with Māori to develop methods to assess mahinga kai
• Developing modelling and visualisation tools for biodiversity and habitat management
PROTECTING THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT FROM PESTS AND DISEASES
• Partnering with Māori to develop new tools and techniques
• Developing new surveillance and diagnostic systems to reduce response times and costs
• Co-developing low-impact, culturally acceptable methods for responding to, eradicating and controlling pests and diseases
Īnanga are the most common and smallest of the whitebait species. [Stuart Mackay]
Helping our native fish
More than 70 percent of our native freshwater fish species are at risk of becoming extinct. One of the impediments to their survival are man-made structures (e.g. dams, weirs and culverts) that prevent them from following their natural migration patterns.
To help fish such as īnanga and common bullies swim upstream, the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) funded NIWA to work with the West Coast Regional Council to build two engineered rock ramps in Mill Creek, near Greymouth.
They are the first of their kind in New Zealand and are far more robust and effective than artificial ramps, being designed to withstand floods – a not uncommon consequence of the West Coast’s high rainfall.
The work is part of MfE’s $4.5 million Fish Passage Action project, and the ramps are based on principles taught during eight Fish Passage Design masterclasses, held during 2023 and 2024 and run by NIWA and Australasian Fish Passage Services. They were attended by iwi, regional council and Department of Conservation biologists, engineers and managers responsible for implementing effective fish passage programmes.
NIWA scientists are also developing a manual for monitoring fish passage success to help lessen the impact of human activity on freshwater biodiversity.
NIWA PhD student Rachel Crawford and freshwater ecologist Paul Franklin have been studying fish swimming capability which could help inform better design of fish passage systems. [Stuart Mackay]
Rock ramps like this help to slow water velocity and provide resting places for fish as they journey upstream. [Stuart Mackay]
Battling a new invader
NIWA expertise has been in high demand in the fight against a newly-discovered invasive species, Corbicula fluminea, the freshwater golden clam.
The clams are very invasive and can spread rapidly with adverse effects on both native ecology and also industrial infrastructure such as water treatment stations and hydropower stations.
On their discovery in the Waikato River in May 2023, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) commissioned NIWA to carry out a delimitation study in collaboration with local iwi, searching 25 sites from Lake Taupō to Port Waikato, to determine the extent of their spread.
MPI also engaged NIWA’s ecotoxicology lab to investigate the effectiveness of a variety of treatment methods for killing juvenile clams, to support biosecurity measures to minimise the clams’ spread via human activity such as wake boats and water skis.
Scientists have also provided advice to Genesis Energy on protecting their intake and outfall infrastructure at Huntly Power Station from potential damage caused by the clams and implemented a monitoring programme to assess the clams’ presence, spread and potential impacts at the site.
In May 2024, Biosecurity New Zealand commissioned NIWA to conduct a survey in Lakes Maraetai and Karapiro to collect data on clam population density, habitats occupied and depth profiles to ensure future suppression trials are designed appropriately.
Invasive gold clams are prolific breeders, capable of producing 400 juveniles a day and up to 70,000 juveniles a year. [Michele Melchior]
IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH REPORTING
• Providing long-term environmental monitoring required for State of the Environment reporting and the National Planning Framework
• Developing new programmes, networks and technologies for key environmental indicators in aquatic environments
• Developing spatial reference datasets for science, products and response to extreme events
SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS AND TARGETS
• Predicting estuarine and marine ecosystem response to changes in climate, land use and habitat
• Developing tools and models to trace the source of sediments and identify measures for erosion control
• Calculating sediment load limits to meet estuarine health targets
• Working with forest industry partners and government to forecast sediment loss to rivers and coastal zones
RESTORING AND REHABILITATING DEGRADED AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
• Partnering with Māori to restore ecosystems and their cultural values
• Developing procedures to maintain endangered aquatic plant species for restocking
• Working with industry on pollution mitigation in rural and urban landscapes
• Developing best practice in riparian planting
Mini glasshouses set up at Waihī Estuary mimic warming temperatures as part of a research programme investigating what climate change means for estuaries. [Stuart Mackay]
Understanding how warming affects marine species
NIWA marine ecologists are working to understand both the impact of rising water temperatures on coastal habitats and ecosystems, and what that may mean for wider sectors such as aquaculture or fisheries.
Ocean sea-surface temperatures are closely monitored, however the impacts of higher temperatures in tidal estuaries and shallow coastal bays are poorly understood. These areas can experience greater heat extremes and scientists want to understand the impact this has on aquaculture and fisheries – including taonga species such as crayfish, pāua, mussels and other shellfish.
A NIWA field team recently started investigations in Little Waihī Estuary in the Bay of Plenty.
The team set up experiments to simulate warming and measure its impact on life within the mud- and sandflats. They also measured greenhouse gas emissions (methane and carbon dioxide) from the sediment, both within and outside of the chambers, using a portable gas analyser.
Investigations into the impacts on the fauna are still underway, but results from the greenhouse gas measurements show the healthier sandy site absorbed more carbon dioxide than the muddier site, which also had higher methane emissions. These results support the need to prevent the decline in health of estuaries, and to rehabilitate degraded sites.
NIWA researchers collect sediment samples from Waihī Estuary to investigate the impact of climate change on the shellfish and creatures living in these important habitats. [Stuart Mackay]
Monitoring an internationally significant waterway
Southland’s Waituna Lagoon is an internationally significant wetland and a rare example of a New Zealand coastal waterbody that remains in good ecological condition.
NIWA researchers have been monitoring the lagoon’s health for the Department of Conservation (DOC) since 2011. The annual surveys document the health of submerged vegetation, providing a yearly comparison of its condition.
Submerged aquatic plants play an important role in keeping shallow lakes and lagoons clean and healthy. If the plants become too stressed, the lake may shift to a dirty state, with high levels of resuspended sediment and development of macroalgal mats or phytoplankton blooms instead of plants.
NIWA researchers monitor the lagoon at 48 different sites each summer. This includes depth, clarity and water quality measurements, measuring substrate characteristics and describing the vegetation.
The results of this monitoring enable DOC to determine whether their ecological targets set by the Waituna Lagoon Technical Group are being met. Results have also guided the design of a proposed resource consent for artificially opening the lagoon while protecting and enhancing its ecology.
NIWA diver Aleki Taumoepeau collects a ruppia sample at Waituna Lagoon, Southland during an annual aquatic plant survey. [Inigo Zabarte-Maeztu]
ENABLING WATER SECURITY
IMPROVING WATER ALLOCATION AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
• Developing models and tools for planning and decision making Identifying locations for storage and hydropower
• Providing guidance on water allocation frameworks
IDENTIFYING FLOW LEVELS NEEDED TO MEET CULTURAL, BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
• Partnering with Māori to assess cultural, environmental and economic flow needs
• Predicting flow requirements for a range of ecosystem health indicators
SUPPORTING LAND MANAGEMENT AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT THAT PROTECTS HUMAN AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH
• Developing models that predict the effects of alternative land use on aquatic ecosystems
• Developing appropriate wastewater treatment methods
• Developing standards and guidance for urban and rural pollution mitigation
A constructed wetland on a farm in Awatuna, Taranaki. [Stuart Mackay]
Assessing freshwater quantity allocation and use
NIWA science is informing freshwater resource allocation and use to support nationally-consistent environmental policy and local management. Researchers collated water quantity data from four regions with high water demand, varying climates and water uses, for a report commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment. The report highlighted that integrated water resource management is technically challenging but vital to balance environmental, human health, and economic needs.
The NIWA team analysed plan limits, consent conditions, measured water abstractions, river flows, and groundwater levels to demonstrate best practices for incorporating temporal and spatial patterns into water accounting. They developed novel methods to account for unmeasured water uses. The analysis revealed inconsistencies in data formats, challenges in obtaining and quality-checking data, and regional differences in water supply due to factors such as climate and demand.
The study identified gaps between national and regional water accounting purposes because national data must support policy development and reporting, while regional data should aid local management and compliance.
Recommendations included making water accounting comprehensive, fit for specific purposes, and standardised across regions. Feedback from report recipients indicated that the recommendations assisted them with future planning and provide excellent ideas which will be incorporated into future water accounting.
A gun sprinkler at work as cows head for milking on a mid-Canterbury dairy property. [Stuart Mackay]
Establishing the benefits of constructed wetlands
A four-year NIWA study has found that constructed wetlands can reliably remove more than half of the nitrate leaching from dairy farm pastures.
Excess levels of pollutants, such as nitratenitrogen, can leach into groundwaters and seep into freshwaters where they can cause toxic algal blooms, reduce oxygen and kill aquatic life.
Constructed wetlands mitigate run-off and drainage by creating a filter between agricultural areas and waterways that can remove excess contaminants.
NIWA researchers evaluated the capacity of a constructed wetland on a Waikato dairy farm for nitrogen removal from groundwater seepage and tile drainage, taking flow and contaminant concentration measurements over four years.
They used this data to calibrate a mathematical model which indicates that the constructed wetland was very effective, removing between 55–80 percent of the inflowing nitrate nitrogen load annually, with an average of 61 percent.
The wetlands also provide habitat for aquatic life, moderate flooding, improve the aesthetics of the landscape, and provide cultural benefits, such as materials for weaving.
Similar studies across the country are building the evidence base on the benefits of constructed wetlands as an effective long-term solution for water pollution.
Constructed wetlands are increasingly being used as a natural solution to reduce agricultural pollution. [Stuart Mackay]
GROWING A RESILIENT SEAFOOD SECTOR
ENABLING SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
• Assessing and monitoring fish populations and communities
• Outlining the impacts of fishing and environmental change to improve management
• Partnering with Māori to support sustainability goals
• Increasing understanding of biological processes to improve single-species management
DIVERSIFYING AQUACULTURE BY DEMONSTRATING COMMERCIAL-SCALE, LAND-BASED CULTURE OF KINGFISH
• Demonstrating the economic and operational feasibility of land-based finfish farming by expanding production of market-sized kingfish to 600 tonnes per annum in NIWA’s experimental commercial-scale Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)
Maximising the quality and production of kingfish through ongoing broodstock, nutrition and systems development
• Increasing the productivity of existing cultured species and investigating the feasibility of culturing new species
• Working with Māori to explore the feasibility of culturing or enhancing target species
INCREASING RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
• Developing smart surveillance and diagnostic systems for biosecurity threats
• Developing solutions to manage the impacts of pests and diseases
• Developing ecosystem-based fisheries management, incorporating climate-change impacts on fisheries and marine ecosystems
• Partnering with Pacific Island fisheries agencies and stakeholders to diversify fisheries and improve food security in the Pacific
• Increasing knowledge of storm impacts, including sediment, carbon and pollutants, on the oceans and fisheries habitats to inform decision making and event recovery
• Developing climate impact predictions for marine heatwaves and other extreme events through AI and modelling
NIWA’s Haku kingfish cooked at Cocoro Restaurant, Auckland. [Rebekah Parsons-King]
Contributing to New Zealand’s exports
NIWA’s premium kingfish – Haku – is now sold in restaurants throughout New Zealand and exported to Canada and the United States of America. The move to commercial-scale production of 600 tonnes per year in the new recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility is the culmination of more than 20 years of research and development.
The product has already met with wide acclaim with more than 60 chefs throughout New Zealand and overseas, who can now source it year-round. It is positioned as a white-fleshed fish with outstanding environmental credentials to complement New Zealand salmon. The fish grow from a 1mm egg to a 3kg market-sized fish in less than 12 months, and NIWA’s extensive research and experimentation has identified the conditions that maximise the health and welfare of the fish.
The RAS project has been a key strategic priority for NIWA, and the facility is a joint venture with the Northland Regional Council. The partners see the farm as an inaugural project that will catalyse New Zealand’s onshore aquaculture industry, being a proofof-concept that drives similar privately and publicly-funded farms around the country.
Senior fish farm technician Michael Exton packs a freshly harvested 4kg Haku kingfish in ice.
[Stuart Mackay]
Understanding recreational fishing
Around 13 percent of New Zealand’s population grab their fishing rods to participate in recreational fishing every year. NIWA is out there too, gathering information about recreational fishing practices and catch from popular fishing locations.
Interviewers work on boat ramps along the north-eastern coast of the North Island, west coast and some areas of the South Island. They survey people returning from a day’s fishing, finding out about how many and what kind of fish they’ve caught, where they’ve been and how long they’ve been out. Understanding the trends in these fisheries is key to ensuring sustainable fisheries across the country.
These surveys are a vital part of NIWA’s research on recreational fisheries for Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ). It complements other FNZ research such as the National Panel Survey, a New Zealandwide phone-based recreational fishing survey, and area-specific surveys where more detailed information is needed.
Boat ramp surveys help NIWA and Fisheries New Zealand gather information about the fishing practices and catch of recreational fishers. [Stuart Mackay]
GROWING SUSTAINABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY
ACCELERATING GROWTH OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
• Identifying renewable energy generation and storage options
• Developing new renewable energy technologies
• Supporting small-scale, multi-source power schemes for rural communities
ENABLING ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE
• Testing future generation, demand and transmission against climate-change scenarios
• Advising infrastructure agencies on hazard, risk and resilience
• Using AI to optimise electricity generation
• Partnering with Māori to understand risks and impacts of electricity generation under a changing climate
MINIMISING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE ENERGY SECTOR
• Advising existing and new renewable energy operations
• Developing approaches to reduce the environmental impacts of electricity generation
• Helping hydropower companies design environmentally sustainable water flow regimes
• Supporting development of the offshore wind industry through environmental assessment and impact services
• Partnering with Māori to reduce the environmental impact of electricity generation
Pylons carrying electricity from the South Island’s Waitaki hydro system march across North Canterbury. [Rebekah Parsons-King]
Operational nowcasting for renewable energy
Scaling up of solar and wind power is essential for New Zealand to become carbon neutral by 2050. While wind and solar currently account for less than eight percent of New Zealand’s total energy generation, by 2050 that number is projected to rise to over 50 percent. However, wind and solar power can be highly variable. Having confidence in the predictability of supply is therefore critical to the uptake of intermittent generation sources of wind and solar power.
NIWA’s new nowcasting system, called NIWA Next, is up-and-running and able to provide accurate predictions of wind and solar irradiance, also called nowcasts, for anywhere in New Zealand. Nowcasts
are short-range forecasts that look at the current conditions across NIWA’s vast observational network, and then adjust forecasts on the fly. NIWA Next is highresolution and rapidly updating, generating predictions of solar and wind potential and updating as frequently as every 10 minutes, going out to 36 hours.
The researchers have prioritised engagement with stakeholders throughout the project to inform development of the system and are now focusing on raising awareness and marketing the capability to potential clients.
Meridian Energy’s West Wind farm in Mākara, Wellington, generates enough electricity for around 73,000 average New Zealand homes. [Lana Young]
Assessing impacts of offshore wind farms
Offshore wind generation is a much-needed renewable energy solution. The west coast of the North Island is the focal point for interest in offshore wind development in New Zealand. The region offers one of the best wind energy resources in the world and a wide shallow shelf meaning it is suitable for existing fixed foundation turbine technology.
The Government has signalled it will have a regulatory framework in place in 2025 to kickstart feasibility studies. Much of the area targeted for development has sparse ecological baseline information, much of which is held by NIWA.
NIWA experts are providing advice to this sector to allow better understanding of the environmental impacts offshore renewable energy developments may have on seabirds, fish, benthic communities, marine mammals and taonga species.
Ensuring the best scientific advice is available to undertake robust environmental impact assessments for offshore wind farms will help to minimise the impact on marine fauna, including seabirds. [Lana Young]
OUR PEOPLE
OUR PEOPLE AWARD - NIWA PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
NIWA’s new research vessel Kaharoa II sails into San Diego on its journey to New Zealand from Spain, where it was built.
The judges loved this striking photo because of how it captures the ship’s instrumentation as the point of interest with the night-time city scenes outside.
KAHAROA II, SAN DIEGO - Greg Foothead
OUR PEOPLE
NIWA’s reputation as a successful CRI results from the calibre of our people and key elements of our culture, which jointly prioritise organisational performance and staff health, safety and wellbeing.
Senior leadership development
The NIWA Senior Leadership Development Programme is in its fourth year.
The first cohort concluded their three-year programme, graduating at the NIWA Excellence Awards in October 2023.
The fourth cohort of 12 leaders began their programme in February 2024. The programme includes workshops on personal effectiveness, coaching, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking. It begins with a values and personality assessment, 360-degree feedback, and establishing individual development objectives. Peer coaching sessions, mentoring, a group project, an overnight marae stay, and discussions of contemporary leadership literature follow.
NIWA scientists joined 25 Italian researchers onboard the Italian icebreaker RV Laura Bassi for a two-month voyage of discovery in the Ross Sea with the aim to track changes in the ocean around Antarctica. [Lana Young]
Preparing the DTIS (deep towed imaging system) for deployment to the depths of the Bounty Trough. [Rebekah Parsons-King]
NIWA forecaster Chris Brandolino presents the 2023 Annual Climate Summary to media. [Stuart Mackay]
Employment relations and employee engagement
NIWA is committed to fulfilling the good employer requirements of Section 118 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 and ensures that People & Capability practices and policies are consistent with the fair and proper treatment of staff in all aspects of their employment.
Engagement between NIWA management, employees and employee representatives is an ongoing focus in relation to workplace practices, processes and policies.
Negotiations between NIWA and the PSA union for a new Collective Employment Agreement were concluded in April 2024.
NIWA and the PSA had extensive engagement on restructuring processes, with consultation and feedback on proposed organisational changes.
NIWA’s remuneration framework includes internal and external benchmarking to ensure fair remuneration. NIWA applies the Living Wage each year as the minimum hourly rate for the organisation.
Talent capacity and capability
As a result of organisational restructuring to align capability with current and projected market demand, NIWA disestablished 58 positions across science and enabling services in 2024. Where there were associated impacts, such as changes to the responsibilities of other positions, operational transition plans were put in place to ensure business continuity.
While external recruitment has been very limited over the past year due to the need for the organisation to reduce costs and align capability with operational requirements, NIWA has an ongoing focus on the application of best practice principles in recruitment and selection processes. All new staff receive a comprehensive induction relating to job-specific and general organisational information. The People & Capability team undertakes three-month post-entry interviews with new staff to gain feedback on their early experiences. The induction process is regularly reviewed to ensure a consistently high-quality induction experience.
Talent development
NIWA’s senior leaders annually review the required science and enabling services capability and capacity to deliver NIWA’s strategic objectives, taking into account market and workforce dynamics. Each area of NIWA reviews critical roles and ensures succession plans are in place, along with recruitment and transition plans in response to anticipated staff departures. High-performing employees and those with high potential are identified, as well as individuals who need additional assistance to achieve performance standards. This review provides context for individual employee development conversations, including the annual Performance and Development Reviews and mid-year Progress Reviews. During these meetings, managers and their team members collaboratively reflect on goal achievement, explore career aspirations and development opportunities, and establish new performance and development objectives.
NIWA Principal Technician - Marine Biology Sadie Mills collects samples from the seamount sled aboard RV Tangaroa. [Rebekah Parsons-King]
NIWA offers a comprehensive suite of internal leadership and management training programmes to support the ongoing professional growth of our staff. Workshop topics include Recruitment & Selection, Personal Effectiveness, Coaching, Mental Health Awareness, Crucial Conversations, and Challenge of Change – Resilience. An online seminar series is offered regularly, with topics including giving and receiving feedback, managing conflict, running effective meetings, and responding to change. Each region also runs relevant seminars and workshops to meet local needs. Most staff also receive three personal development leave days per year to undertake activities to enhance their wellbeing and broader personal development. During the past year the People & Capability team ran 10 workshops and 13 seminars.
Cultural competency & building Māori research capability
One of the key priorities of NIWA’s Māori strategy is to strengthen our bicultural organisational capability. We have launched several new digital learning tools such as the Taihoro Nukurangi App and Te Punga, and are further developing the Te Puāwaitanga cultural competency programme (rolled out to staff during 2022–25) to support our partnership and impact aims. Our Te Kūwaha team is a key resource within NIWA providing expertise in environmental research with a strong Māori focus. Whilst engagement with Māori happens across all levels of the organisation, we have dedicated Māori leadership roles within the team to, in part, grow our organisation-wide culture competency and awareness to engage with Māori with confidence. They also help ensure we continue to grow Māori research and capability and capacity to lead (or support) the development of Māori-led research and grow visible pathways for Māori into science. Since the inception of ‘Te piko o te māhuri, tērā te tipu o te rākau – The way in which the young sapling is nurtured (bent) determines how the tree will grow’ programme, NIWA has supported 10 graduate interns, seven postgraduate students (three PhD, four MSc) and nine summer interns. We have recruited four of the graduate interns into full-time researcher roles, and four others are completing their postgraduate studies.
NIWA marine biology technician Caroline Chin watches the livestream from the deep towed imaging system during a voyage to discover new species in the Bounty Trough. [Rebekah Parsons-King]
Marine ecologist Dr Drew Lohrer samples the fauna living in Waihī Estuary, Bay of Plenty. [Stuart Mackay]
Freshwater scientists assess the growth of native aquatic plants transferred to test plots in Lake Ohinewai using biodegradable “roto turf” planting techniques. [Luke McPake]
Diversity and inclusion
NIWA’s gender balance remains around 40:60 female to male and our staff represent over 45 nationalities. Over the last year there has been a slight increase in proportion of staff identifying as Asian, Māori and Pacific peoples, with a corresponding decrease in those identifying as European. We have paid particular attention to our recruitment advertisements, continually reviewing and adapting them to encourage all potential candidates to feel welcome to apply.
The NIWA-PSA Pay Equity Working Group was established in 2022 and was responsible for developing NIWA’s first Gender and Ethnic Pay Gap Action Plan,
which commenced in May 2023. NIWA completed the annual programme of work outlined in the plan including conducting in-depth analyses of pay gaps, clarification of NIWA’s pay system and the development of a system for comparison of the criteria leading to the setting of starting salaries for new staff. The action plan included a commitment to undertake and complete an organisational pay relativity review during the first quarter of the 2024–25 year, with recommendations for any warranted pay increases to be incorporated into a schedule.
Over the coming year, staff feedback will be sought on the support for, and access to, leadership and promotion opportunities.
Our online Unconscious Bias training continues to be compulsory for new managers and staff serving on selection panels, and available to all staff. New managers are required to complete the Gender Dynamics in the Workplace and Recruitment and Selection training. We offer additional leave for staff in the event of family sickness and an additional paid leave entitlement on top of the statutory parental leave entitlement for those staff entitled to parental leave. To ease the pressures of maintaining work/life balance we provide flexibility for part-time work to staff returning from parental leave and those approaching retirement.
High standards for health and safety
NIWA’s commitment to health and safety remained steadfast as the business responded to various challenges during 2023–2024. We set high health and safety expectations and ensure these are consistently applied. We continually review our health and safety systems to check they are fit for purpose and relevant to our work. A focus for 2023–24 was to build on existing NIWASafe systems to support efficiencies in health and safety work planning and prioritisation. With the improvement of NIWASafe tools, such as an app for incident reporting, the availability of a towing calculator, and clarified vehicle inspection programme, the benefits of this completed work will be carried into future years.
NIWA Principal Technician – Atmosphere Sally Gray shows BLAKE ambassador Bethany Miller the ropes in the gas lab at NIWA Wellington. [Mia Blyth]
A diver uses a suction dredge to remove the invasive exotic seaweed caulerpa from a site in Blind Bay, Aotea/Great Barrier Island. [Leigh Tait]
Employee wellness and wellbeing
NIWA has an ongoing commitment to employee wellness and wellbeing and the introduction of a NIWA-funded health insurance plan for permanent employees last year is reflective of this.
NIWA promotes workstation assessments, free on-site skin checks, manual handling training and flu vaccinations for all staff. All permanent staff who have taken up NIWA’s health insurance plan currently have access to CAREHQ remote GP services at no cost, as a benefit associated with being a Southern Cross member. MedPro annual health checks are another Southern Cross member benefit available.
During the past year NIWA changed to a new Employee Assistance Programme provider, RAISE, a Southern Cross joint venture company.
A Wellness Hub with a range of physical, mental, financial and social wellness resources is maintained by the People and Capability Team.
Recognising the accomplishments of our people
NIWA celebrated 24 science level promotions during the year. These promotions involve a rigorous in-depth peer review process and recognise years of knowledge development and its practical application.
NIWA holds annual Excellence Awards and a staff photography competition to recognise and reward outstanding staff efforts with 12 Excellence Award and 6 photography award categories.
CEO John Morgan addresses staff at the 2023 NIWA Excellence Awards. [Lana Young]
Marine science interns from NIWA’s Joint Graduate School collaboration with Auckland University. [Mia Blyth]
The annual bird person competition sees staff at NIWA Wellington, donned in costume, launching themselves off the jetty into the harbour in the hopes of achieving ‘The Longest Flight’. [Lana Young]
Contributing to the development of future science talent
NIWA maintained a lead role at various online international and New Zealand science conferences, workshops, and international working groups throughout the year. Staff showcased NIWA expertise and collaborative work with partners, fulfilled chairing roles, presented keynotes, and contributed to international councils and advisory groups, with staff attending 80 international and 35 domestic conferences. Around 130 overseas trips were undertaken in support of international project, conference or training opportunities, funded by projects are external organisations.
In addition, over 80 scientific workshops were run or attended by NIWA staff, including research and strategy codevelopment with stakeholders, education and training, project partnership meetings, and knowledge and tool-sharing. Workshops were held in conjunction with local and central government agencies, utility companies, iwi/hāpu, Pacific Island entities, conservation agencies, consultancy and industry good organisations, new large commercial clients, other Crown Research Institutes, sub-contractors, and international or United Nations engagement.
NIWA employees held a range of key advisory roles and secondments in the last year, including seven NIWA staff seconded to government agencies and stakeholders. We are committed to building a highly skilled and diverse workforce to ensure the science sector continues to deliver the innovation, creativity and solutions required to meet current and future global challenges. Seven NIWA staff held appointments with New Zealand universities (five with University of Auckland, one with University of Otago, one with Victoria University) and many others hold adjunct roles.
We supervised 59 PhD, 28 Masters and one Honours student nationwide (many hosted on NIWA sites), and one post-doctoral and 30 PhD positions were financially supported by NIWA. Trainees from the Pacific and other countries were hosted and trained via virtual workshops, and a range of science visitors, interns and students were also hosted. These included two Graduate interns, three PhD, two Masters, and three summer student Te Kūwaha placements, as well as seven BLAKE Ambassadors working on science projects alongside NIWA staff.
Our Te Kūwaha group is leading a panCRI project to better understand what motivates Māori graduates in their studies
and career aspirations, and the institutional and systemic barriers Māori face within the science system more generally. This is the first comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion assessment of Māori researcher experiences in the CRI sector, and the information will be used to develop enhanced pathway models for Māori graduates at each individual CRI and on a pan-CRI level.
NIWA continued to support the major school science and technology fairs in central Auckland, North Harbour and Manukau, Waikato, Wellington, Canterbury, and Westland as well as regional fairs, through sponsorship, promotion and staff involvement in judging and award ceremonies. Every year, we host many visits for young people at our sites, including 37 school visits this year.
Students from the Palmerston North-based Amanaki Stem Academy spent a day at NIWA Wellington in July seeing the many different pathways that STEM subjects can lead to.
[Rebekah Parsons-King]
NIWA BY THE NUMBERS
* Some employees identified with more than one ethnicity and some staff did not provide this voluntary information. The percentages represented are based on all ethnicities reported.
GENDER
2%
DISABILITIES
13% of NIWA staff identified that they have a form of disability
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAVE (NIWA SCIENCE)
3 days of Personal Development Leave is provided for staff members, excluding those on management employment agreements
EXTERNAL RECRUITMENT 74 new permanent employees 6 new fixed term employees
Fixed-term
WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
89% of staff work full time 12% of staff work part time TURNOVER
8.64% turnover to the end of June for the NIWA Group LEVEL PROMOTIONS 24 Level Promotions
Perth 14
Wellington 300
Christchurch 118
Lauder 11
Dunedin 9
Napier 1
Whanganui 2
Greymouth 4
Twizel 4
Nelson 22
Hamilton 118
Rotorua 5
Auckland 90
Bream Bay 37
2024 NIWA EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
LEADERSHIP
Janine Alliston
Janine has a significant focus on operational efficiency and regularly lobbies for and implements changes that lead to better, faster and easier processes for staff.
PROJECT DELIVERY
Karen Robinson
Karen is an internationally recognised expert in zooplankton taxonomy and has been integral to the successful delivery of the MPI-funded multi-year Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) project since its inception in 2008.
The New Zealand CPR surveys feed into an international scientific partnership that forms the most geographically extensive marine monitoring programme in the world.
In the past year, she led, promoted and worked closely with NIWA’s IT team to implement an electronic tracking solution. The solution has enabled quicker turnaround in queries and the ability to create a single list of outstanding issues. She also led a significant change to the timecard process, including implementation, training and communications to staff.
These two examples of change led by Janine have resulted in substantial operational efficiencies for all science staff, significantly reducing administration time.
Christopher Whalan
As Master of Kaharoa II, Chris led the crew through a challenging time at the end of the new vessel’s fitout and through continued delays in the yard delivery date in Vigo, Spain, which resulted in no home breaks for an extended period. Through his leadership, the crew elected to stay with the vessel rather than taking their usual month-long break, helping ensure the project timeline and budget were not impacted.
Chris’s leadership gave the crew confidence – which was critical before departing Spain for the long journey to New Zealand, including navigating delays on the journey. Chris kept the crew engaged, healthy, safe and focused – and ensured the safe delivery of the vessel to New Zealand.
As project manager, Karen completed the final samples for the 2018-23 contract this year. This entailed spending hundreds of hours behind the microscope processing thousands of samples – work that requires extremely high technical skill and dedication. This work was the culmination of years of dedication delivering timely and accurate data for the global science community.
RESEARCH
Dr Samik Datta
Samik leads NIWA’s fisheries population modelling group and has broad expertise modelling biological systems and processes – from life processes in marine ecosystems to spatial epidemiological models to look at the spread of human and animal infections and diseases.
Samik leads by example in terms of delivery and quality of outputs, with positivity and enthusiasm. He has adapted his scientific excellence to different issues – including as one of only a few experts asked to peer review New Zealand’s modelling of COVID-19 and contributing to Samoa’s Health Climate Early Warning System by investigating different approaches to disease modelling in data-poor situations.
His adaptability means that Samik has a lengthy and varied publication record, and he is presently involved in modelling responses of Chatham Rise and Golden/Tasman Bay ecosystems to climate change and fishing.
Janine Alliston Christopher Whalan
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
Sadie Mills
As co-leader on the 21-day expedition to explore the understudied Bounty Trough and accelerate biodiversity discovery, Sadie put NIWA’s biodiversity expertise on the world’s stage.
The findings from the expedition have been communicated far and wide via media releases and a post-voyage media event, raising NIWA’s profile internationally. A post-voyage story featuring NIWA appeared on 334 TV stations in 33 countries, with Sadie as the public face.
Through the success of the Bounty Trough voyage, as well as her charisma and collaborative nature, Sadie has helped NIWA build enduring relationships with national and international partners, thus extending NIWA’s network and potentially opening up new funding opportunities.
APPLIED SCIENCE
Dr Jennifer Beaumont
Jenny’s benthic ecology work has been a cornerstone for NIWA’s commercial surveys and reports. She is NIWA’s leader for environmental impacts in the benthic environment and a key member of the team servicing the offshore wind industry.
In the past year, Jenny led the benthic ecology component of desktop studies for two offshore wind developer clients and led a large proposal for a third. She was central to the success of a four-year, multimillion-dollar project for another energy client, acting as voyage leader for two surveys and lead author on several resulting reports.
The success of her applied science is underscored by repeat surveys and high-value contracts for NIWA.
OPERATIONAL INNOVATION
Vanessa Ma
EARLY CAREER SCIENCE
Dr Beata Bukosa
In just five years, Beata’s impact at NIWA has been profound. She is an atmospheric scientist with exceptional modelling, leadership, teamwork and communication abilities.
Beata joined NIWA as a post-doctoral researcher on the CarbonWatch NZ research programme where her pioneering work demonstrated that indigenous forests in the South Island of New Zealand are a larger carbon sink than expected. She was then hired to lead atmospheric modelling in the high profile MethaneSAT project.
She excels as a mentor, training PhD students, post-docs and international visitors, and her influence extends globally, with strong collaborations with scientists across the USA, UK, Australia, Czech Republic and beyond.
Dr Orlando Lam-Gordillo
Orlando has contributed to many key research and commercial projects in his role as a marine ecologist, using his quantitative skills in data compilation, time-series analysis, benthic health score calculations, spatial data analyses and GIS.
In just two years at NIWA, Orlando has made a signficant impact in pushing estuarine ecology research forward. He has an impressive publishing record, including journal papers and client reports, as well as innovative funding proposals.
One of Orlando’s first-author papers provided a peer-reviewed database that will be used and cited by marine sciences researchers in New Zealand and internationally for many years to come.
Dr Beata Bukosa Dr Orlando Lam-Gordillo
Vanessa has demonstrated exceptional dedication and expertise in her role and this year seamlessly and successfully managed two major initiatives, showing extraordinary operational innovation. She revolutionised our treasury management process, significantly reducing our interest exposure and her deep understanding of NIWA’s cash flow dynamics has been invaluable.
Vanessa also tackled the complex task of integrating a new accounting treatment for biological assets within NIWA’s financial system. She successfully mastered the intricacies of biological asset management, and embedded the processes into NIWA’s system, a challenging undertaking yet critical for financial accuracy.
CUSTOMER FOCUS
Dr Ashley Broadbent
Ashley demonstrated excellent customer focus this year while solving a particularly challenging modelling issue for Auckland Council.
The council wanted to incorporate climate change projections into a tool they use to model water quality and hydrology in streams and rivers.
After searching globally for a solution, Ashley worked closely with the developers and the council to implement it and enabled the council to simulate not only future projections of water quality but also the effect of La Niña and El Niño cycles. This stateof-the-art weather modelling has massive potential for use in other applications and for all other regions in New Zealand.
TE PUĀWAITANGA
Dr Jonathan Moores
HEALTH & SAFETY
Ian Popenhagen
Ian is first mate on RV Tangaroa and has shown great leadership in health and safety in recent years. When working in high-risk situations such as drydocking maintenance periods, confined space entry and working at heights, he goes the extra mile.
Ian always makes sure everyone understands their role and that his crew have the right training for the hazardous activity they are doing – including requesting extra training when required. This training has resulted in improvements to the ship’s safe operating procedures.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Mal Hunter
As Hamilton site services officer, Mal’s strong work ethic, can-do attitude and exceptional service to staff and contractors have been especially appreciated over the last year with the Hamilton office relocation.
During the relocation Mal was required to become familiar with complex new systems and support staff and contractors to solve problems. He manufactured bespoke storage access solutions to make the new storage facility safer, more efficient and more practical.
Mal consistently delivers high-quality work and fosters a positive and productive team environment through his collegial approach – even working at Reception when required.
Jonathan demonstrates effective cultural leadership across several core domains. He delivers appropriate cultural aspects in te reo before meetings and has been instrumental in supporting and building cohesive and effective cultural etiquette across NIWA’s Auckland and Bream Bay sites.
Jonathan seeks (and follows) cultural advice, guidance and support from Pou Arahi and Te Kūwaha team members.
His personal and professional compassion have helped Jonathan to empower other management staff members, individuals and groups to engage effectively – not only with Māori staff and partners, but also to engage competently and respectfully with people from all ethnicities.
Elizabeth Graham
Along with being a productive science team member, Elizabeth has been a Public Service Association (PSA) staff delegate for many years, representing staff within the Hamilton office, participating in the union negotiation team and offering pragmatic input as a key member of the Pay Equity Working Group. Her consistent leadership and collaborative and constructive approach have helped to foster a positive and productive environment. Her commitment to open communication, problem solving, and advocating for the interests of all parties involved, has been invaluable.
Over the past six months, Elizabeth has played a crucial role supporting Hamilton staff, both union and non-union, affected by the recent NIWA staff review. These were challenging times for all concerned, and her ability to navigate complex issues with professionalism and empathy has been outstanding and appreciated. She has not only worked to positively strengthen the PSA-NIWA relationship, but also made a significant contribution to the overall wellbeing and morale of staff through her genuine concern for the welfare of everyone in the workplace.
Communications & Marketing Team – Geoff Baird, Caroline Beamish, Sarah Fraser, Jessica Rowley, Mark Tucker, Ryan Willoughby
The foundation of NIWA’s brand is its excellent science. This team is responsible for ensuring that science is fully promulgated to help ensure all New Zealanders benefit from its application. The team does that through extensive outreach, ensuring a highly engaged and responsive public profile, with high quality photography, videography, publications and other collateral.
This has been particularly showcased this year with three extraordinary events – the announcement of the purchase of a new supercomputer, the official opening to the Recirculating Aquaculture System and the christening of Kaharoa II
TEAM
RAS team – Amanda Cleary, Michael Exton, Simon Griffiths, Jeremy Singleton, Steve Pether
The Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) team at the Northland Aquaculture Centre in Bream Bay are responsible for the build, commissioning, operations and marketing of NIWA’s world class, nationally unique, commercial scale aquaculture facility.
The team’s focus has been on establishing a new high-value industry, and in this project they have successfully established the financial, technical, operational and biological elements of this opportunity to turn it into a commercial business.
The facility is producing product that is being tested in domestic and international markets and the team has already seen high levels of interest from potential investors here and overseas.
Kaharoa II Team – Rob Christie, Greg Foothead, Chris Whalan, Alex Miller, Caroline Anderson
This team has been working on the specification, build and delivery of NIWA’s newest research vessel, Kaharoa II, for the last six years.
While the people listed in this team have been key, this complex multidisciplinary project has only been possible because of the input from a large number of support and science staff from across NIWA. It includes finance, procurement, project management, legal, IT, engineering, fisheries, oceanography and vessels management.
Staff have worked for long periods overseas and all hours of the night and day. The result has been spectacular and a tribute to all of those involved – NIWA now has a state-of-the-art, globally unique asset with the technologies and capabilities to meet New Zealand’s research needs for the next 40 years.
Estuarine Ecological Team – Sarah Hailes, Kelly Carter, Barry Greenfield, Grady Petersen, Lisa McCartain, Michal Ferries
The Estuarine Ecological Team – team members named as well as several other contributors – have demonstrated exceptional performance and expertise in estuarine ecological data collection. They have provided rich datasets for multiple key clients including State of the Environment data collection for regional councils; caulerpa response for MPI; and more.
They are highly capable collectors of samples and data from estuaries and coastal environments, involving challenging field work and logistics, extended periods of contribution, and attention to health and safety while on the tidal flats and when skippering boats. They sort and differentiate hundreds of sediment-dwelling invertebrate species for commercial clients and research projects, bringing in more than $1 million in revenue annually. They have curated and extended some of New Zealand’s largest and longest running macroinvertebrate datasets.
EXTERNAL AWARD WINNERS
Molly Powers-Tora COSPPac Recognition Award
Pacific Strategy and Engagement
Advisor Molly Powers-Tora’s award recognised her contributions to the longstanding Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac), funded in partnership by the governments of Australia and New Zealand. Molly has worked with COSPPac for more than a decade, starting with her previous roles within the international development organisation the Pacific Community (SPC).
Paul Champion
Lifetime Membership NZ Biosecurity Institute
Emeritus scientist Paul Champion was awarded lifetime membership of the NZ Biosecurity Institute in recognition of his years of service of the Institute. He has been involved with it since 1988 and has presented at nearly every conference since, as well as serving on the executive committee for many years.
Paul Lambert
Queen Elizabeth II Technicians’ Award
Freshwater ecology technician
Paul Lambert gained a QEII award to travel to Australia to work alongside Fish Aging Services, to share knowledge and trial different otolith preparation methods to improve the aging of elvers and eels.
Te Kūwaha Kudos Awards - Vision Maturanga and Environmental Science Awards
The team’s work helping Māori communities access the latest scientific tools to manage natural resources while respecting their unique knowledge systems was celebrated with two awards from the Kudos Trust. They work collaboratively with iwi, hapū and councils to incorporate mātauranga into a number of catchment restoration programmes and have provided training tailored to community needs to help monitor the state and health of taonga species.
Science New Zealand Awards
NIWA’s climate, marine and hazards science was recognised at the 2023 Science New Zealand Awards.
Climate risk modeller Rebecca Welsh won Early Career Research for her work evaluating flood risk from property to national scales, which is used widely across central and local government and the private sector.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Principal Scientist Phil Barnes, who has made a seminal contribution to marine geoscience research and hazard risk assessment over the past three decades. His pioneering investigations revolutionised our perspective of the fault lines and active tectonic processes that shape New Zealand and its surrounding seafloor – from the Hikurangi to Fiordland Margins.
The Team Award was won by the Cyclone Response team. Their success demonstrates the crucial role targeted science can play in preparing communities for extreme weather events and supporting speedy recovery.
During Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023, NIWA’s Team delivered pre-landfall impact briefings to key agencies and our field teams captured time-critical river flow, sediment deposit and marine impact data in the immediate aftermath of the event.
Grady Petersen
Queen Elizabeth II Technicians’ Award
Grady Petersen’s QE II award enabled him to travel to the United Kingdom where he attended a multispectral drone imaging course run by iRed, which will expand NIWA’s capability for remote sensing of aquatic vegetation. He also visited Newcastle University’s Dove Marine Laboratory to collaborate with researchers there.
Mashanta Mohsin
Queen Elizabeth II Technicians’ Award
Ecotoxicology technician
Mashanta Mohsin received a QE II award to travel to England to take algal identification courses with the Freshwater Biological Association in Cumbria to improve and further her skills and knowledge in freshwater algal sampling and taxonomy.
Rebecca Welsh Phil Barnes
NIWA PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
STEAMING TOWARDS PROTECTION COVE, ANTARCTICA – Glen Walker PEOPLE’S CHOICE
The public loved this shot of RV Tangaroa in Antarctica, voting it their favourite in an online People’s Choice competition. Glen’s chosen charity, Parkinson’s New Zealand, received a $1,000 donation for his win.
JOURNEY OF THE METHANE
OUR WORK
NIWA’s research station in Central Otago conducts world-leading atmospheric science with state-of-the-art technology and instruments… and a bubble machine.
The judges loved the deadpan humour of this photo and the use of golden hour light.
BUBBLES - Nava Fedaeff
NGAURUHOE TWILIGHT – James Williams PHONE PHOTO
A snowy Mount Ngauruhoe in Tongariro National Park says goodbye to another day, captured in beautiful colour and gorgeous detail.
ANOTHER WORLD – Crispin Middleton SPECIAL AWARD
Nature hitches a ride on an old football bobbing its way through the Poor Knights Islands. The judges thought this image was well executed, with the underwater sphere at first glance appearing to be a world globe in the black of night.
BARREN ARCH KELP – Irene Middleton OUR PLACES
This dynamic and ethereal underwater shot was captured at Barren Arch in the Poor Knights Islands, showing a school of native silver sweep fish riding the tidal surge.
PENSIVE AURORA – Darren Parsons EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHER
In May 2024, strong geomagnetic activity and clear skies lead to an astonishing cosmic event across New Zealand – Aurora Australis.
Captured here in the Waitakere Ranges, just west of Auckland
WHĪWHIWHI – ENTANGLED – Jochen Bind
DATA VISUALISATION
The judges thought this artistic representation of a rare geomorphological form - the scroll plainwas beautifully visual.
The image of the Taieri River was created using aerial LiDAR data, converted into elevations above the river level to show old fluvial landforms, and physically printed by hand as a cyanotype print.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BARRY
HARRIS
Chairman
Chairman Barry Harris is a company director with extensive governance and executive experience. Barry has held a number of chief executive roles including Environment Waikato, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Hamilton City Council. He was also a senior executive with Fonterra for five years. Barry currently chairs; McFall Fuel, Hamilton Airport Company and Wel Networks. Previous boards include DairyNZ, Primary ITO, CentrePort, RD1, AgResearch, International Nutritionals, Hamilton Riverside Hotels, OSPRI, Food Innovation Waikato and Local Authority Shared Services. Barry has a Masters of Agricultural Science (Honours) and lives in Hamilton.
LIVIA ESTERHAZY
Livia is a strategic business leader with experience across various sectors, including marketing, communications, finance, business, science and the environment. She has led retail brands in the IT and banking sectors, including the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Kiwibank. She has also worked in the advertising sector, leading agencies including Clemenger BBDO, The Assignment Group, Saatchi & Saatchi and Ogilvy. She was most recently CEO of WWF New Zealand, which included participation in the Prime Minister’s Chief Scientist panel for the future of commercial fishing in Aotearoa New Zealand. Livia has been a director both locally and globally and is currently a director of GNS Science, the Programme Director for A Lighter Touch and CEO of The Thrive Collective.
JANICE FREDRIC
Janice is a professional director with over 20 years’ governance experience. She has a broad portfolio of current and past directorships with significant experience in commercial, public sector and not-for-profit sectors. She is currently Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority and the Aviation Security Service, a director of Mainpower NZ Limited, Aurora Energy Limited, NZ Growth Capital Partners Limited, Ministerial Appointee to the Lincoln University Council, an independent member of the Timaru District Council Audit and Risk Committee, and a trustee of the NZ Shipwreck Welfare Trust. Janice has held senior executive positions in the professional services sector and the finance and banking sectors both in New Zealand and internationally. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Chartered Accountant. She has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration.
PROF. MARGARET HYLAND
Margaret is Deputy Vice Chancellor Research at Victoria University of Wellington. She is a director of Cirrus Materials Science, a deep-tech spinout from university research and a trustee of the Karori Sanctuary Trust (Zealandia). She previously held the position of Chief Scientist at MBIE. Prior to that she was Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Auckland, and a director of the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge. Margaret was also a member of Te Pae Kahurangi, the independent review of how well the CRIs were positioned to meet New Zealand’s current and future needs.
Mary-Anne is a professional director. She is currently on the boards of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), DairyNZ, AgResearch, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and on the University of Waikato Council. She has previously served on the boards of Bay Venues Limited, Quayside Holdings Ltd, and House of Science. She was the Chief Executive of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council for seven years and held senior roles in the Ministry for the Environment. She worked internationally in multi-national environmental and engineering companies where she specialised in environmental management providing advice across a range of sectors including the oil industry, high tech, heavy industrial manufacturing, the nuclear industry, water, and waste management, and the mining industry. Mary-Anne has a Master of Science (Hons) in Earth Sciences and Geography.
DEAN MOANA
Dean Moana has held various director and senior management roles in Aotearoa’s food and seafood sectors. He was CEO of Prepared Foods Ltd and Managing Director and CEO of Prepack Ltd. Dean held Chief Executive and General Manager roles within Aotearoa Fisheries Group, New Zealand’s largest Māori-owned fisheries company. He is a director of Plant & Food Research and AsureQuality, as well as serving on the board for Akaroa Salmon NZ and Port Nicholson Fisheries. Of Ngāti Porou and Apanui descent, Dean is also a Director of Ngāti Porou commercial entity Nati Growth Ltd. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and has a BCA from Victoria University.
MARY-ANNE MACLEOD
EXECUTIVE TEAM
JOHN MORGAN
Chief Executive
John has extensive senior executive and governance experience in public and private sector organisations covering a range of markets and activities, including business, science, education and sport. His science sector roles have included Chairman of Science New Zealand, CEO of AgriQuality Ltd, Executive Director of Orica New Zealand Ltd, and Chairman of New Zealand Pharmaceuticals Ltd. John is passionate about the role science can play in transforming New Zealand’s economy, environment, society and global reputation.
DR ROB MURDOCH
Deputy Chief Executive
PhD (Marine Science), University of Otago
Rob has a specialist interest in oceanography and marine ecology, and has been a practising scientist on projects associated with the Southern Ocean, aquaculture, oil and gas exploration and marine conservation. He has overseen the planning and direction of NIWA’s research and the operation of the research vessels since 1999, and helps manage NIWA’s relationships with key stakeholders and collaborators. Rob spent seven years on secondment to the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment as a Departmental Science Advisor.
WARRICK JOHNSTON
General Manager, Technology & Innovation
NZCE Civil, BSc (Geology), University of Otago, Dip Sci Computing, DCD (IOD), BA, Henley Business School
Warrick joined NIWA as General Manager, Technology and Innovation in 2020. He has a passion for strategy, science, and technology and strives for innovative uses that positively impact businesses and people. He developed his skills through a career in start-ups, ISVs, niche technology companies and product companies such as Microsoft and ESRI. With more than 26 years’ experience in strategy and development, product development, service creation and delivery and niche technologies, Warrick has the ability to understand complex technology combined with a practical nature and an understanding of market and business needs.
DR HELEN NEIL
General Manager, Operations
PhD (Earth Sciences), University of Waikato
Helen is an experienced geologist with interests in seabed mapping, oceanography, and stable isotope geochemistry. Her expertise has been applied to the management and delivery of large-scale, multidisciplinary projects and research voyages. Helen previously led the Ocean Sediments Research Group, joined the Operations Management Team in 2016 as National Projects Manager, and was appointed General Manager, Operations in 2018.
GEOFF BAIRD
General Manager, Communications & Marketing
BSc Hons (Ecology), Victoria University of Wellington
Geoff has extensive experience in science publishing and communication from working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, MAF Fisheries and NIWA. He became NIWA’s Communications Manager in 2003 and General Manager, Communications and Marketing in July 2007, with a focus on reinforcing the values underlying the NIWA brand, enhancing communication and uptake of NIWA’s science and demonstrating how NIWA enhances the benefits of New Zealand’s natural resources.
MARINO TAHI
General Manager, Māori & Pacific Partnerships
MBA, Massey University, BA (Māori Resource Management) and BCA (Management and commercial law), Victoria University of Wellington Marino provides strategic leadership for NIWA’s research and applied science services for Māori and the Pacific with the aim of maximising the transfer of environmental and natural resource scientific knowledge to whānau, hapū, iwi, Māori communities and the Pacific islands – for the economic, social, cultural and environmental benefit of the nation. He joined NIWA in 2015 from Landcare Research, where he had been the Māori Partnerships Manager – Business Development since 2006. His tribal affiliation is Ngāi Tūhoe, and he comes from Ruatahuna, a small settlement in Te Urewera.
PATRICK BAKER
Chief Financial Officer
MEng, Brunel University, London; BBus (Accounting and Management), GDip (Professional Accounting), Open Polytechnic of New Zealand; CA
Patrick is a Chartered Accountant. He began his career as an engineer with Ford Motor Company in the UK before moving into financial management. He served in senior country finance management positions in Europe and the Middle East before joining Ford New Zealand in 2004. After choosing to settle permanently in New Zealand in 2012, he was appointed CFO of The Network for Learning Limited, a Crown company established to deliver managed internet services to New Zealand’s schools. He joined NIWA as CFO in 2014.
DR ALEX THOMPSON
General Manager, Science
PhD (Atmospheric Chemistry), York University of Canada
Alex joined NIWA in 2017 after a decade in government in climate policy advice and as a science investment manager.
Before returning to New Zealand, Alex was a founding editor of Natural Geoscience, and previously held scientist roles at British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge UK, University of California at Berkeley, and Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany.
DR MARY-ANNE DEHAR
General Manager, People & Capability
PhD (Psychology), PGDipPsych (Comm), University of Waikato
Mary-Anne is a registered psychologist, specialising in industrial/organisational psychology. Before joining NIWA in 2008, she practised as a consultant psychologist for 15 years, both in private practice and for several large consulting firms. Prior to that she worked in evaluation research with a range of community, justice, public health and health promotion programmes. Mary-Anne has extensive experience in psychological assessment, learning and development, executive coaching, leadership development, and organisational change and performance improvement initiatives.
JULES MAXEY
Executive Assistant to the NIWA Board and Chief Executive
SCIENCE MANAGEMENT TEAM
ANDREW FORSYTHE
Aquaculture – Chief Scientist
DVM, University of Prince Edward Island
Andrew joined NIWA in 2005, after more than 20 years’ experience in North American and European aquaculture. He has extensive expertise in the design and operation of recirculating aquaculture systems and has managed freshwater production for a major salmon farming company. Andrew took up his current role in 2007.
DR ANDREW TAIT
Climate, Atmosphere & Hazards –Chief Scientist
PhD (Climatology), University of Colorado
Andrew joined NIWA in 2000. His research areas of interest are climate change impacts and implications, adaptation to climate change, spatial modelling of climate, and sector and business applications of climate data. Andrew took up his current role in 2019.
DR SCOTT STEPHENS
Coasts & Estuaries – Chief Scientist
PhD (Earth Sciences), University of Waikato
Scott is a coastal hazards scientist who joined NIWA in 2001. He specialises in extreme sea-level and wave analysis and assessment of coastal hazards for adaptation to sea-level rise. Before becoming Chief Scientist, Coast & Estuaries in 2021, Scott was Assistant Regional Manager in Hamilton.
DR DREW LOHRER
Coasts & Estuaries – Strategy Manager
PhD (Ecology & Evolutionary Biology), University of Connecticut
Drew has worked for NIWA since 2002 and has extensive expertise in marine seafloor ecology in temperate coasts and estuaries and Antarctic coastal environments. This includes primary production and nutrient dynamics in soft-sediment habitats, animal-sediment interactions, disturbance-recovery processes, and ecosystem functioning. He took up his current role in 2021.
NAVA FEDAEFF
Climate, Atmosphere & Hazards – Manager
BSc (Hons) Geography, University of Auckland Nava joined NIWA in 2014 as a climate scientist, initially focusing on climate cycles and climate change projections. She upskilled in operational meteorology with the UK Met Office and began working with NIWA’s Forecasting Services team to deliver forecasts, develop new products for clients and visualise data in innovative and engaging ways. Nava regularly engages with the public, media, business and other organisations about weather and climate.
DR JOCHEN SCHMIDT
Environmental Information –Chief Scientist
PhD (Geography), University of Bonn Jochen has a cross-disciplinary research background in hydrology, geomorphology, soil science, geoinformatics, and hazards and risk assessment. He joined NIWA in 2003 and since 2010 has led NIWA’s environmental information research and developments, ensuring that systems for collecting and managing NIWA’s data are robust and meet best-practice standards.
DR RICHARD O’DRISCOLL
Fisheries – Chief Scientist
PhD (Marine Science), University of Otago
Richard specialises in research aimed at improving estimates of fish abundance using acoustics, trawling and complementary technologies. He has extensive seagoing and practical fisheries experience in New Zealand and overseas, including the Antarctic. Richard is a past chair (2017–19) of the ICES Working Group on Fisheries Acoustics Science and Technology. He has worked at NIWA since 2000 and took up his current role in 2021.
CHLOE HAURAKI
Fisheries Centre Operations – Manager
BSc Marine Science, University of Waikato
Chloe has a diverse background in project and programme management. During her studies she worked with Ngāi Te Rangi funding to explore habitat construction and reseeding of juvenile pāua in the Tauranga Moana Mātaitai. Since joining NIWA in 2015, Chloe has held previous roles with the Fisheries Centre, and as Challenge & Engagement Manager of the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge.
DR MIKE WILLIAMS
Oceans – Chief Scientist
PhD (Physical Oceanography), University of Tasmania
Mike has a background in marine and climate research and has worked from the Pacific to Antarctica where he has focused on working across disciplines including oceanography, ocean acidification, climate change and polar ocean processes. He joined NIWA in 2001, taking on his current role in 2021.
DR NEALE HUDSON
Freshwater & Estuaries – Manager
PhD (Environmental Chemistry), Queensland University of Technology
Neale is an organic chemist with a research background in natural product chemistry and organic synthesis, odour emission and mitigation research and water quality assessment. Recently he has focused on understanding information hidden within high-frequency water quality data and evaluating the efficacy of devices used for mitigating agricultural contaminants. He joined NIWA in 2007 and was appointed to his current role in 2019.
DR JOSHU MOUNTJOY
Oceans – Strategy Manager
PhD (Geological Sciences), University of Canterbury
Joshu joined NIWA in 2006 as a Marine Geoscientist and is now a key part of the Oceans Centre management team. He completed his PhD on seafloor geomorphology and has led research around New Zealand’s EEZ and in Antarctica. His recent focus is on establishing NIWA’s presence in the renewable energy sector, especially offshore wind, and building links with rūnanga, iwi and hapū.
JULIE HALL
Freshwater – Chief Scientist (acting)
PhD (Geological Sciences), University of Canterbury
Julie is a marine and freshwater biologist who has spent over 25 years working for DSIR and then NIWA, specialising in phytoplankton, microbial food web and zooplankton studies in both marine and freshwater. She was a group manager at NIWA in Hamilton before joining the Operations Management Team in Wellington in 2008, where her focus was on staff, project and operations management. From 2015-2024 Julie was the Director of the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge.
SCIENCE MANAGEMENT TEAM
DR JESS ROBERTSON
High Performance Computing & Data Science
– Chief Scientist
PhD (Geophysical Fluid Dynamics), The Australian National University
Jess joined NIWA in 2024 and has a science background in geology, fluid dynamics, machine learning and data science, particularly in the resources and energy sectors, as well as policy and regulatory experience within the New Zealand public sector. Prior to his NIWA appointment, he led Innovation Policy within the Research, Science and Innovation portfolio at the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment.
SOL FERGUS
Vessels Operations – General Manager
BCA (Hons) International Business, Victoria University of Wellington
Sol joined NIWA in 2022 and oversees the general operations of NIWA’s research vessels Tangaroa, Kaharoa, Kaharoa II and Ikatere
He has a background in development and management of vessel operations policies, directives and staff training. Before joining NIWA, Sol held Commercial Manager, and General Manager roles at New Zealand Diving and Salvage Ltd.
DR GRAEME INGLIS
Marine Biodiversity & Biosecurity –Chief Science Advisor
PhD (Marine Ecology), University of Sydney
Graeme has a background in coastal ecology, environmental assessment, marine tourism and biosecurity. He joined NIWA in 2000 and he has led national and international programmes of research on risk assessment, surveillance and control of invasive marine species and has provided technical training and advice on marine pests and their management around the world.
GREG FOOTHEAD
Ship Technical Director
NZCE (Mechanical), Central Institute of Technology
Greg has a background in automotive and industrial engineering. He joined NIWA in 2000 as Engineering Manager for NIWA’s vessel fleet and became General Manager –Vessel Operations in 2010. In 2022, Greg took up the role of Ship Technical Director, where he oversees the replacement of NIWA’s vessel fleet and acts as a technical advisor for the vessels’ operations team.
DR MARK BOJESEN-TREPKA
Marketing & Industry Engagement –Manager
PhD (Marketing and Technology Management), University of Waikato
Mark is an industrial marketer, and has led the marketing, product development, technology transfer and business-development effort for firms in the plastics, steel and primary sectors. He joined NIWA in 2009 and his past roles include National Marketing Manager for BHP Steel Building Products, National Marketing Manager for ICI Resins and Adhesives Division and General Manager for NorthFert.
ROB CHRISTIE
Marine Resources – Manager
BSc (Hons) (Environmental Science & Technology), Middlesex University
Rob is a chartered scientist with more than 30 years’ international experience. He has held senior management positions in environmental consultancy and science sectors in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Rob joined NIWA in 2013 and has oversight of the NIWA vessel fleet and the application of marine science.
ALAN GREY
MBIE Research – Manager
MSc Hons I (Geology), University of Canterbury
Alan has a background in ecology and earth sciences and extensive experience in research administration and RS&T evaluation. Alan joined NIWA in 1998 and oversees contractual and reporting obligations to government funding agencies, covering research benefitting all New Zealanders, and evaluation of the quality, impact and value of NIWA research.
SARAH MCDERMOTT
Strategy and Research Office –Research Development Manager
BA (History), Victoria University of Wellington
Sarah joined NIWA in 2022. Her background is in the public sector and fund management in areas such as the environment, tertiary education and foreign affairs. She has spent a decade working in science funding, including on MBIE’s Endeavour Fund.
CONNON ANDREWS
NIWA Pacific Centre – Manager
MSc (Hons) Coastal Oceanography and Marine Geology, University of Waikato. Connon joined NIWA in 2022 after more than 25 years in applied research and engineering consulting. He is a specialist in metocean engineering, coastal engineering, coastal management, climate change and infrastructure development. Connon coordinates NIWA’s Pacific activities and leads research and commercial programmes in hazard assessment and climate change adaptation planning.
LINDA FAULKNER
Pou Whakaharae - Te Hiringa Taiao
Linda is of Ngāti Rangi and Whanganui descent and joined NIWA in August 2024 from her previous role of Manahautū for the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge. Her career has focussed on the environmental policy, management and research sectors with a focus on the interface between science and mātauranga Māori. Her role provides strategic science leadership and direction for the National Centre for Māori Environmental Research.
DR CHRIS DAUGHNEY
Chief Science Advisor
PhD (Environmental Geochemistry), McGill University, Canada
Chris joined NIWA as Chief Science Advisor in 2020. Since 2022 he has held a half-time secondment as Chief Science Advisor at Te Uru Kahika, which represents New Zealand’s 16 regional and unitary councils. Prior to joining NIWA, he held roles as Principal Science Lead at the Ministry for the Environment, and as Director of the Environment and Materials Division within the Executive Team at GNS Science. He has research interests in groundwater quality, geomicrobiology and numerical flow and transport modelling of hydrological systems.
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT TEAM
JONATHAN MOORES
Auckland & Ruakākā – Regional Manager
MSc (Hydrology for Environmental Management), Imperial College, University of London.
Christchurch – Regional Manager
PhD (Ecology), University of Canterbury
Jonathan joined NIWA as an urban aquatic scientist in 2005, where he led applied research and consultancy studies to inform improved stormwater management in our towns and cities, and became Group Manager of the Urban Aquatic Environments team. He has been Regional Manager of NIWA’s Auckland office since 2019 and of NIWA’s Northland Aquaculture Centre at Bream Bay since July 2022.
CHARLES PEARSON
Environmental Information Operations –National Manager
MSc Hons (Engineering Hydrology), National University of Ireland
Charles is a hydrologist specialising in the analysis of hydrological and other data for purposes such as estimating flood risks. He is also the World Meteorological Organization’s Hydrological Adviser for New Zealand. Charles joined NIWA in 1982 and has extensive staff and operations management experience. He was appointed to his current position in January 2016.
Phil was employed by NIWA during 2005–07 and returned as a freshwater fisheries scientist in 2012, specialising in freshwater resource management and conducting research on freshwater fisheries and food webs. Prior to becoming Assistant Regional Manager in 2018, he was the Freshwater Ecology Group Manager in Christchurch. Phil was appointed as the Christchurch Regional Manager in 2021.
DR HELEN ROUSE
Science Delivery – National Projects Manager
PhD (Physical Geography),University of Hull
Helen trained as a coastal geomorphologist. She joined NIWA in 2007, first as a resource management scientist, then from 2014 as National Projects Manager. She was Christchurch Regional Manager from 2016 until taking up her current role in 2021. She was Christchurch Regional Manager from 2016 to June 2021, and also Nelson Regional Manager from March 2017 to February 2020. She has been in her current role since June 2021.
Hamilton – Regional Manager
PhD (Aquaculture), University of Stirling
Michael joined NIWA in 1999, and he has more than 25 years’ experience in aquaculture research and working with industry. In 2011 he was appointed Assistant Regional Manager for Auckland, managing our Northland Aquaculture Centre at Bream Bay. In 2019 he was appointed Regional Manager for the Hamilton region.
DARCEL RICKARD
Māori Organisational Development – Manager
MSc Hons (Environmental Science), University of Waikato
Darcel’s focus is the implementation of NIWA’s bicultural organisational development strategy – enhancing existing processes, developing and leading new initiatives, and providing strategic advice and support. She also leads the science communication and outreach programme for Te Kūwaha, NIWA’s Māori workforce development and cultural competency programme, and Te Piko o te Māhuri, NIWA’s Māori capability development programme.
DR PHILLI P JELLYMAN
DR MICHAEL BRUCE
DR ALISON MACDIARMID
Wellington – Senior Regional Manager
PhD (Zoology), University of Auckland Alison has broad experience in marine behavioural ecology, reef ecology and management, marine ecosystem risk assessment, closed area management, and historical marine ecology. She joined NIWA in 1993 and now leads the Wellington Regional Management Team. She also chairs NIWA’s Diving Control Board.
STEVE WILCOX
Wellington & Lauder – Regional Manager
NZCE Electronics and Computer Science Steve joined NIWA in 1991 and has worked within the marine geotechnical and hydrographic community for the last 36 years. During this time Steve has been on over 120 scientific and commercial voyages as well as over 30 land-based nearshore and lake surveys. Prior to his appointment as Regional Manager in 2019, Steve was the Group Manager Marine Technology.
DR JUDY SUTHERLAND
Wellington & Nelson – Regional Manager
PhD (Biochemistry), University of Otago Judy joined NIWA in 2015 as a molecular biologist. She has worked on the application of molecular biology to projects in biodiversity, biosecurity, aquaculture and fisheries. Judy was Group Manager, Environmental Isotopes and Molecular Biology before her appointment as Assistant Regional Manager in 2020. In 2024, she was appointed interim Regional Manager at NIWA Nelson. She also chairs NIWA’s Hazardous Substances Critical Risk Team.
VIV FRODSHAM
National Manager – Project Delivery
B.Bus, Auckland University of Technology Viv joined NIWA in 2013 and has worked in a wide range of leadership and project management roles across industry for over 25 years. During this time she has had responsibility for managing teams, contracting, budgeting, and ensuring delivery on science and operational projects. Prior to her appointment as National Manager – Project Delivery, Viv was the Project Coordination Team Manager.
DIRECTORY
Directors
Barry Harris
Chairman
Dr Tracey Batten (until 30 June 2024)
Livia Esterhazy
Janice Fredric
Deputy Chair
Prof. Margaret Hyland
Mary-Anne Macleod
Dean Moana
Executive Team
John Morgan
Chief Executive
Dr Rob Murdoch
Deputy Chief Executive
Geoff Baird
General Manager, Communications & Marketing
Patrick Baker
Chief Financial Officer
Dr Mary-Anne Dehar
General Manager, People & Capability
Warrick Johnston
General Manager, Technology & Innovation
Dr Helen Neil
General Manager, Operations
Marino Tahi
General Manager, Māori & Pacific Partnerships
Dr Alex Thompson
General Manager, Science
Registered office and address for service
82 Wyndham Street
Auckland Central 1010 New Zealand
Auditor
Troy Florence with the assistance of PricewaterhouseCoopers on behalf of the Auditor-General
Bankers
ANZ Bank New Zealand Ltd
Solicitors
Meredith Connell
Insurance broker Marsh Ltd
Head office
82 Wyndham Street
Auckland Central 1010
Private Bag 99 940
Newmarket 1149, Auckland New Zealand
Tel +64 9 375 2050
Fax +64 9 375 2051
Website and social media www.niwa.co.nz weather.niwa.co.nz facebook.com/nzniwa x.com/niwa_nz x.com/niwaweather instagram.com/niwa_science linkedin.com/company/niwa youtube.com/nzniwa
Taihoro Nukurangi
NIWA’s Māori name Taihoro Nukurangi describes our work as studying the waterways and the interface between the Earth and the sky. Taihoro is the flow and movement of water (from tai ‘coast, tide’ and horo which means ‘fast moving’). Nukurangi is the interface between the sea and the sky (i.e., the atmosphere). Together, we have taken it to mean ‘where the waters meet the sky’.
Climate, Freshwater & Marine Science