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Ocean Conservation

Aotearoa New Zealand has a historic connection with the sea. Find information about some of our major marine concerns and what is being done to conserve and protect our ocean environments. SCIS no: 1908761

All items

Images
Seal cubs
Seal cubs
Photographs of seal cubs on rocks at Kupe's Pool, Wairarapa. Arrangement: Files were originally delivered to the library within a folder called 'Animals ' Quantity: 2 digital photograph(s).
Websites
WWW
NZAEE Seaweek 1-9 March 2025
Events and resources to celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand's connection with the sea.
Other
Seaweek – Kaupapa Moana 2025
Get involved in a range of activities, opportunities, competitions, and actions to enable students and the wider community to connect with our seas.
Other
For Seaweek and beyond
Unit plans and other teacher support materials from Science Learning Hub.
Articles
Oceans
Oceans
The world or global ocean is a large body of salt water that covers the earth. It is divided into 5 oceans — Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean and Southern Ocean (Antarctica...
Images
'The Sea: A Place to Live' artwork, 1980
'The Sea: A Place to Live' artwork, 1980
World Oceans Day is observed around the world each year on 8 June. On this day people across the planet celebrate and honour the ocean, and use the day to educate people about the importance of the...
Other
Ocean education
National Geographic has resources, activities and toolkits at various levels to learn about the ocean and ocean-related environmental issues.
Articles
Ocean conservation
PEW's ocean work includes creating marine reserves, ending illegal fishing, and establishing policies to protect ocean ecosystems.
Articles
Protecting our marine environment — information for students
Learn about the threats to Aotearoa New Zealand's marine environment and what are the laws to control and stop this.
Articles
The Plastic-free Challenge. Curriculum level: 2: November 2018
Room 5 at the Motueka South School are determined to take action against ocean pollution.
Videos
Nurdles — plastic pellets that pollute the sea
Nurdles the tiny, factory-made pellets that form the raw material for every plastic product that we use are wreaking havoc on our oceans.
Audio
The Plastiki
The Plastiki
Its no ordinary catamaran. It's a message in 12-thousand plastic bottles and has nearly finished it's 11 thousand nautical mile journey from Sausalito California to Sydney where it's due to arrive ...
Videos
What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?
The large concentrations of marine debris are formed by rotating ocean currents called gyres.
Audio
Samoa continues to find ways to manage plastic litter
Samoa continues to find ways to manage plastic litter
With a number of Pacific countries banning plastic bags in response to plastic litter pollution in the ocean, Samoa continues to face a dilemma on how to manage their waste.
Images
Sea Mammals
Sea Mammals
Digital cartoons by Mark Winter on political and social issues in New Zealand and internationally published in the Southland Times. Shows a whale with an unattributed quote written above reading "W...
Websites
WWW
United Nations World Oceans Day
The official United Nations website for the annual World Oceans Day.
Videos
Attenborough's message for World Oceans Day
Sir David's message stresses the importance of the oceans and how they effect everything living on Earth.
Websites
WWW
World Ocean Day
All you need to know about World Ocean Day celebrated internationally on 8 June.
Other
Marine studies centre
Marine theme activities for children, educators and everyone else interested in marine education and conservation.
Other
Protecting our marine world
This resource from the Department of Conservation is about how to protect our unique marine environment.
Other
The marine world and Te Ao Māori
Learn about Māori ocean conservation measures and tikanga.
Articles
Maori hold key to conserving fish - PEW
An international environmental organisation says Maori and Polynesian cultures hold the key to conserving fish species in the Pacific Ocean.
Other
Ocean pollution – the human connection
This unit is designed to introduce students to watersheds, computer mapping tools (Google Earth), and ocean currents through a discussion of ocean and water borne pollution.
Other
Helping kids help the ocean
Suggestions and projects to inspire kids to make a difference in caring for the ocean.
Websites
WWW
Young Ocean Explorers
Our vision is to create generational change by connecting hearts and minds with the importance of enjoying and caring for our oceans.
Websites
WWW
Marae Moana
The multiple-use marine park for conservation and protection of Cook Island's marine environment.
Audio
Bill Riley's art from waste
Bill Riley's art from waste
Christchurch abstract artist Bill Riley collects rubbish from the beaches where he goes surfing - so much rubbish, that he's weaving it into his latest art exhibition to make a point about ocean po...
Audio
Govt checking Rocket Lab for ocean litter
Govt checking Rocket Lab for ocean litter
A NIWA report has found the ecological impact of jettisoned rocket debris is less than pollution from the fishing industry, but a build-up of debris on the ocean floor from repeated launches could ...
Articles
Atomic test era tomb leaking in to the Pacific
Rising sea levels have sparked new concerns about a nuclear waste dump 5000 kilometres north of New Zealand.
Articles
Blue Charter on Ocean Governance adopted at CHOGM
The 53 Commonwealth nations have adopted the Blue Charter on Ocean Governance, as the leaders' summit ended in London, Friday 20 April.
Videos
Ocean Acidification - What does it mean for Shellfish?
Ocean Acidification - What does it mean for Shellfish?
This video has been produced to highlight ocean acidification as a potential issue affecting the NZ shellfish aquaculture industry. The video is a direct result of the collaborative NZ-US workshop ...
Articles
Marine conservation: Pollution
By international standards New Zealand’s coastal waters are relatively clean, although in areas close to larger centres they are more polluted. Little is known about the state of waters beyond the ...
Articles
Mercury study prompts warning over Pacific fish diet
People in the Pacific are being advised to avoid certain fish after a study revealed high levels of mercury in hair samples from the region.
Articles
Saving mussel beds with a bi-cultural approach
Māori knowledge and western science are being combined to save disappearing mussel beds in an eastern Bay of Plenty harbour.
Videos
The cooking of coral reefs
Coral bleaching event attributed to warmer and more acidic oceans.
Images
Smith, Hayden James, 1976-:[Japanese whaling operations] 24 February 2011
Smith, Hayden James, 1976-:[Japanese whaling operations] 24 February 2011
The whaling protest ship, the 'Sea Shepherd' has chased a Japanese whaling ship away and a pod of whales shouts 'hooray' but below another pod of whales have beached themselves and a seagull consid...
Videos
Dead zones in the oceans
Ocean expert Nancy Rabalais on the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.
Articles
Weapons of war litter the ocean floor
Tonnes of chemical weapons were dumped in the oceans between 1919 and 1980.
Research papers
Māori marine economy: A literature review
Creating a world-leading Indigenous blue marine economy.
Websites
WWW
Ocean clean up
Discusses cleaning up and the technology used to clean up the ocean, including the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Articles
Human impacts on marine environments
It’s not only our activities in the marine environment that affect life in the sea – it’s also the things we do on land.
Images
Organisms in ballast water
Organisms in ballast water
There is increasing concern over the state of the oceans, and introduced marine pests are a serious threat. Noxious organisms are often carried across the world in the ballast water of ships. When ...
Images
Scientific Research. "The average whale has 20-30 kg of plastic in its guts - so we could argue that we're recycling AND cleaning up the oceans"
Recycling and cleaning up the oceans
With so much plastic in our oceans, there have been endless reports of marine life dying after ingesting plastic they have mistaken for food. The men on board this Japanese ship argue that they ar...
Images
A fishy tale from the Gulf of Mexico - "It's either a solar eclipse or we're swimming in a giant oil spill." 3 May 2010
A fishy tale from the Gulf of Mexico
These fish in the Gulf of Mexico wonder if the darkness that surrounds them is due to a solar eclipse or worse, a giant oil spill. In fact, it was an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010,...
Images
Bromhead, Peter, 1933- :The South Pacific. 1 June 1981.
Radioactive poison in the Pacific
A Pacific man despairs as he looks at the container of radioactive poison that he has received from France. This radioactive material is the result of testing nuclear weapons by the French on Murur...
Websites
WWW
OECD work for a sustainable ocean
Read about OECD and its research and policies on ocean conservation and sustainability.
Articles
Teens use STEM to combat ocean pollution
Top designs include a robot that collects waste on beaches, and a prototype that filters pollutants from seawater.
Articles
London Convention and Protocol
One of the first global conventions to protect the marine environment from human activities. It has been in force since 1975.
Articles
Fishing and aquaculture in Aotearoa
The Ministry for Primary Industries has rules and policies around aquaculture and the sustainability of our wider aquatic environment.
Articles
Tangaroa – the sea
The spiritual significance of moana to Māori.
Articles
Looking after Aotearoa New Zealand's marine diversity
WWF-New Zealand's has programmes to protect the Kermadecs, Hector and Maui dolphins, seabirds and more.
Articles
Aotearoa New Zealand marine report from Stats NZ
'Our marine environment report 2019' highlights climate change and other pressing issues facing our oceans and coasts.
Articles
Ocean study and conservation
Explore stories about the law of the sea, coastal erosion, marine invaders and marine conservation.
Videos
'Blue Planet' Music Video
“Blue Planet” is a song on the Oceans Are Talking CD, produced by musician Sam Lardner.
Articles
‘Reimaanlok’ — ocean conservation in Marshall Islands
A World Bank initiative to support the Marshall Islands Marine Resource Authority in community-led conservation programmes.
Videos
What is a gyre?
Learn about the gyres, their impact and what you can do.
Videos
Coral gardening
Check out this awesome doco on the conservation efforts by fisherman in the Pacific Ocean!
Audio
Calls for more Pacific representation in conservation orgs
Calls for more Pacific representation in conservation orgs
An oceans advocate calls for more Pacific representation in conservation orgs.
Articles
Reducing deaths of seabirds
Find out about the plan of action to protect seabirds from accidental death and injury from fishing gear used by fishing vessels.
Articles
Project Jonah — Whale rescue stories
Read about the experiences of those who joined in to save distressed whales stranded along the coasts of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Articles
Threat Management Plan for Hector's and Māui dolphin
Led by DOC and Fisheries New Zealand, the plan is to ensure these dolphins are resilient and are able to thrive in their natural marine environment.
Articles
Preventing marine pests from arriving
Pest fish species in our marine ecosystems, their impact and how this is being controlled.
Images
Marine protected areas map
Map showing Aotearoa New Zealand's marine reserves, parks and protected areas.
Articles
Marine reserves A–Z
A list of marine reserves in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Articles
Cleaning up the oil spill
Use of dispersants and other methods of oil clean-up.
Websites
WWW
EPIC
Find more information on ocean conservation on EPIC. Databases recommended: New Zealand Geographic, Environmental Studies, Global Issues. School login maybe required.
Images
Seal cubs
Seal cubs
Photographs of seal cubs on rocks at Kupe's Pool, Wairarapa. Arrangement: Files were originally delivered to the library within a folder called 'Animals ' Quantity: 2 digital photograph(s).
Websites
WWW
NZAEE Seaweek 1-9 March 2025
Events and resources to celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand's connection with the sea.
Other
Seaweek – Kaupapa Moana 2025
Get involved in a range of activities, opportunities, competitions, and actions to enable students and the wider community to connect with our seas.
Other
For Seaweek and beyond
Unit plans and other teacher support materials from Science Learning Hub.
Articles
Oceans
Oceans
The world or global ocean is a large body of salt water that covers the earth. It is divided into 5 oceans — Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean and Southern Ocean (Antarctica...
Images
'The Sea: A Place to Live' artwork, 1980
'The Sea: A Place to Live' artwork, 1980
World Oceans Day is observed around the world each year on 8 June. On this day people across the planet celebrate and honour the ocean, and use the day to educate people about the importance of the...
Other
Ocean education
National Geographic has resources, activities and toolkits at various levels to learn about the ocean and ocean-related environmental issues.
Articles
Ocean conservation
PEW's ocean work includes creating marine reserves, ending illegal fishing, and establishing policies to protect ocean ecosystems.
Articles
Protecting our marine environment — information for students
Learn about the threats to Aotearoa New Zealand's marine environment and what are the laws to control and stop this.
Articles
The Plastic-free Challenge. Curriculum level: 2: November 2018
Room 5 at the Motueka South School are determined to take action against ocean pollution.
Videos
Nurdles — plastic pellets that pollute the sea
Nurdles the tiny, factory-made pellets that form the raw material for every plastic product that we use are wreaking havoc on our oceans.
Audio
The Plastiki
The Plastiki
Its no ordinary catamaran. It's a message in 12-thousand plastic bottles and has nearly finished it's 11 thousand nautical mile journey from Sausalito California to Sydney where it's due to arrive ...
Videos
What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?
The large concentrations of marine debris are formed by rotating ocean currents called gyres.
Audio
Samoa continues to find ways to manage plastic litter
Samoa continues to find ways to manage plastic litter
With a number of Pacific countries banning plastic bags in response to plastic litter pollution in the ocean, Samoa continues to face a dilemma on how to manage their waste.
Images
Sea Mammals
Sea Mammals
Digital cartoons by Mark Winter on political and social issues in New Zealand and internationally published in the Southland Times. Shows a whale with an unattributed quote written above reading "W...
Websites
WWW
United Nations World Oceans Day
The official United Nations website for the annual World Oceans Day.
Videos
Attenborough's message for World Oceans Day
Sir David's message stresses the importance of the oceans and how they effect everything living on Earth.
Websites
WWW
World Ocean Day
All you need to know about World Ocean Day celebrated internationally on 8 June.
Other
Marine studies centre
Marine theme activities for children, educators and everyone else interested in marine education and conservation.
Other
Protecting our marine world
This resource from the Department of Conservation is about how to protect our unique marine environment.
Other
The marine world and Te Ao Māori
Learn about Māori ocean conservation measures and tikanga.
Articles
Maori hold key to conserving fish - PEW
An international environmental organisation says Maori and Polynesian cultures hold the key to conserving fish species in the Pacific Ocean.
Other
Ocean pollution – the human connection
This unit is designed to introduce students to watersheds, computer mapping tools (Google Earth), and ocean currents through a discussion of ocean and water borne pollution.
Other
Helping kids help the ocean
Suggestions and projects to inspire kids to make a difference in caring for the ocean.
Websites
WWW
Young Ocean Explorers
Our vision is to create generational change by connecting hearts and minds with the importance of enjoying and caring for our oceans.
Websites
WWW
Marae Moana
The multiple-use marine park for conservation and protection of Cook Island's marine environment.
Audio
Bill Riley's art from waste
Bill Riley's art from waste
Christchurch abstract artist Bill Riley collects rubbish from the beaches where he goes surfing - so much rubbish, that he's weaving it into his latest art exhibition to make a point about ocean po...
Audio
Govt checking Rocket Lab for ocean litter
Govt checking Rocket Lab for ocean litter
A NIWA report has found the ecological impact of jettisoned rocket debris is less than pollution from the fishing industry, but a build-up of debris on the ocean floor from repeated launches could ...
Articles
Atomic test era tomb leaking in to the Pacific
Rising sea levels have sparked new concerns about a nuclear waste dump 5000 kilometres north of New Zealand.
Articles
Blue Charter on Ocean Governance adopted at CHOGM
The 53 Commonwealth nations have adopted the Blue Charter on Ocean Governance, as the leaders' summit ended in London, Friday 20 April.
Videos
Ocean Acidification - What does it mean for Shellfish?
Ocean Acidification - What does it mean for Shellfish?
This video has been produced to highlight ocean acidification as a potential issue affecting the NZ shellfish aquaculture industry. The video is a direct result of the collaborative NZ-US workshop ...
Articles
Marine conservation: Pollution
By international standards New Zealand’s coastal waters are relatively clean, although in areas close to larger centres they are more polluted. Little is known about the state of waters beyond the ...
Articles
Mercury study prompts warning over Pacific fish diet
People in the Pacific are being advised to avoid certain fish after a study revealed high levels of mercury in hair samples from the region.
Articles
Saving mussel beds with a bi-cultural approach
Māori knowledge and western science are being combined to save disappearing mussel beds in an eastern Bay of Plenty harbour.
Videos
The cooking of coral reefs
Coral bleaching event attributed to warmer and more acidic oceans.
Images
Smith, Hayden James, 1976-:[Japanese whaling operations] 24 February 2011
Smith, Hayden James, 1976-:[Japanese whaling operations] 24 February 2011
The whaling protest ship, the 'Sea Shepherd' has chased a Japanese whaling ship away and a pod of whales shouts 'hooray' but below another pod of whales have beached themselves and a seagull consid...
Videos
Dead zones in the oceans
Ocean expert Nancy Rabalais on the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.
Articles
Weapons of war litter the ocean floor
Tonnes of chemical weapons were dumped in the oceans between 1919 and 1980.
Research papers
Māori marine economy: A literature review
Creating a world-leading Indigenous blue marine economy.
Websites
WWW
Ocean clean up
Discusses cleaning up and the technology used to clean up the ocean, including the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Articles
Human impacts on marine environments
It’s not only our activities in the marine environment that affect life in the sea – it’s also the things we do on land.
Images
Organisms in ballast water
Organisms in ballast water
There is increasing concern over the state of the oceans, and introduced marine pests are a serious threat. Noxious organisms are often carried across the world in the ballast water of ships. When ...
Images
Scientific Research. "The average whale has 20-30 kg of plastic in its guts - so we could argue that we're recycling AND cleaning up the oceans"
Recycling and cleaning up the oceans
With so much plastic in our oceans, there have been endless reports of marine life dying after ingesting plastic they have mistaken for food. The men on board this Japanese ship argue that they ar...
Images
A fishy tale from the Gulf of Mexico - "It's either a solar eclipse or we're swimming in a giant oil spill." 3 May 2010
A fishy tale from the Gulf of Mexico
These fish in the Gulf of Mexico wonder if the darkness that surrounds them is due to a solar eclipse or worse, a giant oil spill. In fact, it was an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010,...
Images
Bromhead, Peter, 1933- :The South Pacific. 1 June 1981.
Radioactive poison in the Pacific
A Pacific man despairs as he looks at the container of radioactive poison that he has received from France. This radioactive material is the result of testing nuclear weapons by the French on Murur...
Websites
WWW
OECD work for a sustainable ocean
Read about OECD and its research and policies on ocean conservation and sustainability.
Articles
Teens use STEM to combat ocean pollution
Top designs include a robot that collects waste on beaches, and a prototype that filters pollutants from seawater.
Articles
London Convention and Protocol
One of the first global conventions to protect the marine environment from human activities. It has been in force since 1975.
Articles
Fishing and aquaculture in Aotearoa
The Ministry for Primary Industries has rules and policies around aquaculture and the sustainability of our wider aquatic environment.
Articles
Tangaroa – the sea
The spiritual significance of moana to Māori.
Articles
Looking after Aotearoa New Zealand's marine diversity
WWF-New Zealand's has programmes to protect the Kermadecs, Hector and Maui dolphins, seabirds and more.
Articles
Aotearoa New Zealand marine report from Stats NZ
'Our marine environment report 2019' highlights climate change and other pressing issues facing our oceans and coasts.
Articles
Ocean study and conservation
Explore stories about the law of the sea, coastal erosion, marine invaders and marine conservation.
Videos
'Blue Planet' Music Video
“Blue Planet” is a song on the Oceans Are Talking CD, produced by musician Sam Lardner.
Articles
‘Reimaanlok’ — ocean conservation in Marshall Islands
A World Bank initiative to support the Marshall Islands Marine Resource Authority in community-led conservation programmes.
Videos
What is a gyre?
Learn about the gyres, their impact and what you can do.
Videos
Coral gardening
Check out this awesome doco on the conservation efforts by fisherman in the Pacific Ocean!
Audio
Calls for more Pacific representation in conservation orgs
Calls for more Pacific representation in conservation orgs
An oceans advocate calls for more Pacific representation in conservation orgs.
Articles
Reducing deaths of seabirds
Find out about the plan of action to protect seabirds from accidental death and injury from fishing gear used by fishing vessels.
Articles
Project Jonah — Whale rescue stories
Read about the experiences of those who joined in to save distressed whales stranded along the coasts of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Articles
Threat Management Plan for Hector's and Māui dolphin
Led by DOC and Fisheries New Zealand, the plan is to ensure these dolphins are resilient and are able to thrive in their natural marine environment.
Articles
Preventing marine pests from arriving
Pest fish species in our marine ecosystems, their impact and how this is being controlled.
Images
Marine protected areas map
Map showing Aotearoa New Zealand's marine reserves, parks and protected areas.
Articles
Marine reserves A–Z
A list of marine reserves in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Articles
Cleaning up the oil spill
Use of dispersants and other methods of oil clean-up.
Websites
WWW
EPIC
Find more information on ocean conservation on EPIC. Databases recommended: New Zealand Geographic, Environmental Studies, Global Issues. School login maybe required.

Other resources

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