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About us
About us
Credit: Waikawa, Māhia © Desna Whaanga-SchollumTe Au o Te Moana story series
This series aims to whakamana (empower) the voices of researchers, co-developers, Māori partners and communities of research and practice as…
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News & events
News & events
Tune in to our new, short docuseries, Turning the Tide
Ripples of hope have risen from the work of marine researchers, kaitiaki, and community members who’ve pooled their knowledge for the good of the ocean.
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Whakatautika: Generating balance in the business and activity of fishing at Moana New Zealand
- Report
A case study on Indigenising the blue economy in Aotearoa (June 2024)
ViewFishery system indicators to support ecosystem based fishery management in Tīkapa Moana, Te Moananui-ā-toi
- Report
Supporting Revitalising the Gulf and FNZ to implement EBFM in the Hauraki Gulf (June 2024)
ViewImplementing tikanga Māori in the business and activity of fishing
- Report
Prepared for Iwi Collective Partnership (June 2024)
ViewIndigenising the blue economy: A case study of Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri
- Report
Needs and aspirations for indigenising the blue economy (June 2024)
ViewIndigenising the blue economy: A case study of the Moriori of Rēkohu
- Report
Needs and aspirations for indigenising the blue economy (November 2023)
ViewFrom kina barrens to kelp forests – assessing potential recovery solutions
- Summary
Summary of a project on the causes of and solutions to kina barrens (June 2024)
ViewLiving filters pilot project
- Report
Report on a pilot project to investigate the ability of Greenshell™ mussels to survive in Port Nelson (June 2024)
ViewAssessing potential recovery solutions to shift from kina barrens to kelp forests
- Report
Bulmer R, Pilditch C, Stephenson F, Shears N & Flowers G (June 2024)
ViewModelling factors that influence community initiatives to restore marine environments
- Summary
Summary of social, ecological, and economic factors connected to community-based initiatives to restore the marine environment (June 2024)
ViewNature reporting in New Zealand’s financial sectors
- Summary
Summary of nature-related disclosure developments, their implications for the financial sector, and the emerging opportunities in the field …
ViewNature risks and opportunities in Hawke’s Bay
- Report
A place-based approach to understanding nature risks and business readiness for nature disclosure (June 2024)
ViewInnovating aquaculture to improve social and economic well-being in coastal communities
- Summary
Summary of research that explored the potential of innovative pātiki aquaculture to generate income and empower communities to reclaim contr…
ViewA novel approach to aquaculture in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Report
Growing community wellbeing with pātiki tōtara (May 2024)
ViewHe Tauira – Exemplars of Te Ao Tūroa
- Video
A podcast series showcasing Te Ao Tūroa principles through case studies (June 2024)
ViewTe Ao Tūroa wānanga – Rangatahi insights on exploring Te Ao Tūroa principles and Whakapapa o te Wai
- Video
Videos sharing thoughts from two rangatahi who attended the wānanga (June 2024)
ViewTe Ao Tūroa Principles – Whakapapa, Mauri and Mana with the Mātāpuna
- Video
Podcast series exploring the key integrity markers that bind and guide the Te Ao Tūroa Framework (June 2024)
ViewHe Tapuwae – Concepts and principles of a Te Ao Tūroa informed economy
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A podcast describing the principles of Te Ao Turoa and how they relate to, and can inform, the development of Māori economies (June 2024)
ViewHe Waka Māori – Mana and Mana Motuhake with the Mātāpuna
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Podcasts exploring the key concepts and principles of mana and mana motuhake (June 2024)
ViewNgā Aho Kōrero – The Te Ao Māori Synthesis Journey
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A podcast featuring discussions with Te Ao Maori synthesis activity leads (June 2024)
ViewUtilising ecosystem services to support marine ecosystem management
- Summary
This summary provides an overview of how ecosystem services can be used as a tool in marine management and ecosystem-based management (March…
ViewRestorative marine economies: a framework for mobilising ecosystem-level investments
- Summary
This summary explains the key concepts of restorative economies and outlines an impact investment framework to guide questions and steps whe…
ViewFinancing restorative economies in Aotearoa New Zealand’s marine and coastal space
- Report
This report highlights opportunities and challenges in building restorative economies in New Zealand from the investment and finance perspec…
ViewImproving the marine management framework to make good decisions on seabed mining
- Summary
This summary details managing seabed mining and other marine activities, and recommends improvements to the marine management framework (Feb…
ViewHe Poutokomanawa
- Report
This infographic report provides an overview of some of the practices discussed throughout Whakaika Te Moana, as well as some insights into …
ViewHe Pou Kai Āwha
- Report
This infographic report provides an overview of the cultural context and indigenous world view within which Māori aquatic cultivation practi…
ViewScaling up benthic primary productivity estimates in a large intertidal estuary using remote sensing
- Academic publication
Shao Z, Bryan K, Flowers G, Lehmann M & Pilditch C (September 2023)
ViewTaura kuku: prioritising Māori knowledge and resources to create biodegradable mussel spat settlement lines for shellfish restoration in Ōhiwa harbour
- Academic publication
Paul-Burke K, Burke J, Ngarimu-Cameron R, Bulmer R, Cameron K, O’Brien T, Bluett, C & Ranapia M (September 2022)
ViewImplications for the conservation of deep-water corals in the face of multiple stressors: a case study from the New Zealand region
- Academic publication
Stephenson F, Rowden A, Anderson O, Ellis J, Geange S, Brough T, Behrens E, Hewitt J, Clark M, Tracey D, Goode S, Petersen G & Lundquist C (…
ViewEmergence of the subtropical sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii as a threat to kelp forest ecosystems in northern New Zealand
- Academic publication
Balemi C & Shears N (August 2023)
ViewAuahatanga from Authenticity: Maximising opportunities for Akaroa Salmon and Ōnuku Rūnanga
- Report
This report is focused primarily on auahatanga (differentiation) – differentiating kaitiaki-generated products from commodities and diversif…
ViewLiterature review: Indigenising the blue economy in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Report
This literature review explores three themes on both constraints and potential solutions for Māori transitioning to a blue economy. Rout M, …
ViewDesigning law and policy for the health and resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems
- Summary
This is a summary of research findings into options for policy and legislative change to enable ecosystem-based management across scales in …
ViewOur work
Sustainable Seas brought together Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest ever group of biophysical and social scientists, economists, and experts in mātauranga Māori and policy researchers. Together with Māori partners and stakeholders we embarked on our journey nearly a decade ago as one of 11 National Science Challenges, we set out to achieve this objective: To enhance utilisation of our marine resources within environmental and biological constraints.
The Challenge has produced nearly a decade’s worth of research results, guidance, and tools from more than 100 projects. In our final year, we’ve focused on refining the key messages and recommendations on topics prioritized by the Challenge community as being critical to enabling holistic ecosystem-based management (EBM) and te ao Māori approaches – and ultimately realize a healthy ocean and prosperous blue economy.
Where's our research?
This interactive map shows the location of all our research projects to help connect you with the research happening in your rohe.
Zoom in and click on a pin to see key information about the project.
Key
- Circles with kiwi = national projects
- Pins = regional/local projects
Latest news
Tune in to our new, short docuseries, Turning the Tide
Ripples of hope have risen from the work of marine researchers, kaitiaki, and community members who’ve pooled their knowledge for the good of the ocean.
More
AI-powered tool Tohorā revolutionises New Zealand marine science
The Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge has joined forces with technology and creative studio Daylight to develop Tohorā.
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Aotearoa scientist and team recognised by international sustainability body for their work in preventing ecosystem collapse
There’s no better time than Earth Day (22 April) to celebrate a University of Auckland scientist and her team’s achievement as the National Champions of the Frontiers Planet Prize.
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Seafood Magazine: Hot and cloudy waters ahead: forecasting the value of the pāua fishery
Shared with permission from Seafood New Zealand Magazine - March 2024 Flourishing fisheries rely on understanding environmental risks, uncertainties, and opportunities in a changing climate.
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Media coverage Nov 2023 – Jan 2024
Mana, mauri, and prosperity for seafood products from Ōnuku Seafood NZ Magazine (p34) – Research undertaken with Ōnuku Rūnanga near Akaroa has found that salmon from Ōnuku (farmed for Akaroa Salmon)…
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How to make better decisions to improve the marine environment
New research from Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge has just been released that could help inform different ways of taking care of our oceans.
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