-
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…
More -
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.
More
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
- Video
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
- Video
Podcasts exploring the key concepts and principles of mana and mana motuhake (June 2024)
ViewNgā Aho Kōrero – The Te Ao Māori Synthesis Journey
- Video
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 …
ViewDesigning law and policy for the health and resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems – Lessons from (and for) Aotearoa New Zealand
- Academic publication
Macpherson E, Jorgensen E, Paul A, Rennie H, Fisher K, Talbot-Jones J, Hewitt J, Allison A, Banwell J & Parkinson A (June 2023)
ViewSustainability disclosures in the blue economy
- Report
This report provides a stocktake of sustainability disclosure practices and initiatives globally and in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a focus o…
ViewBuilding an interconnected blue economy in place
- Report
This report briefly reviews the blue economy Sustainable Seas programme to date and identifies three main gaps for further attention in the …
ViewUnderstanding multi species finfish complexes in Tasman and Golden Bay: Process overview and key insights
- Summary
This is a summary of the processes behind and key insights from research into understanding multi species finfish complexes. (November 2022)
ViewSystem dynamic mapping and managing multi-species complexes: Key variables and linkages
- Summary
This is a summary of research to determine whether system dynamic mapping is a useful exercise for FNZ management purposes, including whethe…
ViewExploring the use of a system diagram and multi-variate analysis to understand multi-species complexes in fisheries
- Report
This report details exploratory research on using a system diagram and multi-variate analysis to help understand how fisheries management of…
ViewFinancing restorative marine economies: Insights from NZ finance and investment experts
- Presentation
Webinar presentation by Cerasela Stancu (EnviroStrat) and Jason Mika (The University of Waikato) December 2022
ViewExtracting remotely-sensed water quality parameters from shallow intertidal estuaries
- Academic publication
Shao Z, Bryan K, Lehmann M & Pilditch C (December 2022)
View
Improved decision-making using an ecosystem-based management (EBM) approach
Enabling ecosystem-based management (EBM) to become embedded within marine management and governance.
MoreEcosystem service mapping in marine environments: a case study
- Guidance
This guidance explains what ecosystem service mapping is, and why it is useful for marine managers, planners, and other decision-makers. It …
ViewMāori marine economy: Its definition, principles, and structure
- Summary
This paper defines the Māori marine economy, outlines its structure, and highlights challenges for Māori marine-based enterprises engaged in…
ViewUser guide: Tools for ecosystem-based management
- Guidance
The purpose of this guide is to help resource managers, kaitiaki and others to identify appropriate tools, developed and/or used by the Sus…
ViewCharacterising the regulatory seascape in Aotearoa New Zealand: bridging local, regional and national scales for marine ecosystem-based management
- Academic publication
Urlich SC, White FR & Rennie HG (2022) Ocean and Coastal Management, 224: 106193
ViewResearch Book 2022
- Summary
This book provides key information about Sustainable Seas, and concise plain language summaries of all active/complete 2019–2024 (Phase II) …
ViewTe Au o Te Moana story series
- Video
This series aims to whakamana (empower) the voices of researchers, co-developers, Māori partners and communities of research and practice as…
ViewKāwanatanga ‘Future Search’ Panel - Waiheke participants
- Presentation
Online workshop and panel discussion by Alex Rogers, Andrew Jeffs, Matt von Sturmer, Pippa Coom and Lucy Tukua. February 2022 (36 mins + Q&A…
ViewRisk assessment for marine ecosystem-based management (EBM)
- Academic publication
Clark DE, Gladstone-Gallagher RV, Hewitt JE, Stephenson F, Ellis JI (2022). Conservation Science and Practice, 12636.
View
Ki uta ki tai: Estuaries, thresholds and values
Assessing the interactions between loadings of different contaminants from freshwaters on the health and functioning of estuaries. This is a…
More
Tangaroa Ararau – Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Tikanga Māori and the marine environment
This project is exploring the fundamental idea of what an oceans-centric governance model could look like, unburdened by existing approaches…
MoreMarine and coastal ecotourism - national and regional picture (part 2): Operator survey and interviews
- Report
This report provides baseline information about Aotearoa’s marine and coastal ecotourism (MCET) sector, and sector aspirations for the futur…
ViewMarine and coastal ecotourism - national and regional picture (part 1): Operator database and map
- Report
This report provides baseline information on the size and activity profile of the sector in Aotearoa, and a contact list to help users furth…
ViewData dashboard: Marine and coastal ecotourism operators
- Digital tool
This interactive tool visualises the location and type of activity carried out by marine ecotourism operators in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is…
ViewMarine and coastal ecotourism operators
- Map
This interactive map visualises the location of marine and coastal ecotourism operators, and the main visitor experiences they provide. This…
ViewStocktake and characterisation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s seaweed sector: Species characteristics and Te Tiriti o Waitangi considerations
- Report
This report provides an overview of seaweed species in Aotearoa that have commercial potential, as well as recognition of their cultural imp…
View
Modelling restorative economies
Determining the benefits of small-scale, community-based marine restoration initiatives
MoreKaitiaki-centred business models: 3 pou
- Graphic
- Summary
This poster summarises an analytical framework for examining kaitiaki-centred business models. A kaitiaki-centred business model is one that…
ViewMapping the delivery of ecological functions combining field collected data and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Academic publication
Schenone S, Azhar M, Ramírez C, Strozzi, A, Delmas P & Thrush S (September 2021)
ViewStocktake and characterisation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s seaweed sector: Market and regulatory focus
- Report
This report assesses current demand, supply and regulation, and opportunities for (and barriers to) growth of the rimurimu/seaweed sector in…
ViewWhat will enable Aotearoa New Zealand's seaweed sector?
- Graphic
This infographic visualises the barriers and gaps that are impeding the sector, and what actions can be taken to address them. (August 2021)
ViewTools and resources for marine managers
- Summary
This is a research round-up of our tools and resources that are relevant to marine managers, kaitiaki and decision-makers. Many were – or ar…
ViewCetacean conservation planning in a global diversity hotspot: dealing with uncertainty and data deficiencies
- Academic publication
Stephenson F, Hewitt JE, Torres LG, Mouton TL, Brough T, Goetz KT, Lundquist CJ, MacDiarmid AB, Ellis J, & Constantine R. (2021) Ecosphere 1…
ViewHui-te-ana-nui: Kaitiakitanga cards
- Graphic
- Summary
Mātauranga Māori is a complex system of experiential knowledge that comprises intergenerational beliefs, values and practices that contribut…
ViewAddressing politics when conducting valuation for decision-making
- Guidance
This guidance recommends three steps to address social and political context in values-based decision making.
ViewUsing Bayesian network models to bridge the gap between ecology and management
- Guidance
This guidance explains how Bayesian network models can combine data with expert knowledge (ecological, physical or Mātauranga Māori), to bri…
ViewIndigenous environmental justice within marine ecosystems: A systematic review of the literature on indigenous peoples’ involvement in marine governance and management
- Academic publication
Parsons M, Taylor L and Crease R (2021). Sustainability 13(8), 4217.
Open access
Our 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.
More
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.
More
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.
More
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)…
More
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.
More