Year in Review

enhancing the benefits of New Zealand’s natural resources1 enhancing the benefits of New Zealand’s natural resources

NIWA Year in Review Contents 2011

Chairman & Chief Executive’s Report 2

Financial summary 8

Organisational responsibility 10

Our science 12

Our people 42

Directory 52

From the top of the atmosphere to the bottom of the ocean, NIWA is focused on enhancing the benefits of New Zealand’s natural resources

Front cover: NIWA’s iconic Undersea New Zealand graphically identifies New Zealand’s ocean estate, the fourth largest in the world. staff across 16 sites in revenue from research and current environmental This page: This NIWA chart reveals the shape of the seabed in Cook Strait, New Zealand and Australia applied science services science projects uncovering some of the secrets hidden beneath the ocean (see page 32).

Contents 1 Chairman & Chief Executive’s Report

Enhancing our nation’s economic “New Zealand’s economic and environmental prosperity and environmental prosperity depends on robust, long-term science and applied research.” John Morgan, Chief Executive Never before in New Zealand’s history has the case for robust, long-term natural resources and environmental research and applied science services been made clearer than in the last financial year.

As a country, we continue to we will have to make as a country navigate our way through difficult around our natural resources and economic times, made worse by environment in the coming years. unprecedented national disasters, Despite the challenges of the past like the Christchurch earthquakes year, NIWA has continued to perform and the Pike River mining tragedy. positively. Our productivity continues At the same time, New Zealand to improve and demand for our faces some very important services remains high. We continue environmental opportunities and to invest in essential technology, revenue from research and issues which, if not managed upgrade existing facilities, and align effectively, will continue to impact applied science services and strengthen our capabilities to on New Zealand economically. meet the country’s science needs, Issues like water quality and and we are well placed to meet our water allocation, energy supplies, responsibilities as outlined in our ocean resource management, the Statement of Core Purpose. changing climate, how we respond to natural hazards and increasing The year ahead will not be without numbers of extreme weather events, its own challenges, but the Board is earnings before interest, and making greater use of our vast confident NIWA is in a good position tax, and depreciation natural resources in a sustainable way. to face those challenges head on. I would personally like to thank The Government has recognised my fellow Directors, CEO John the importance that science and Morgan, his hard working Executive, innovation will play in New Zealand’s and all of the NIWA team for their future economic and environmental commitment and work this year. prosperity through the establishment In particular I would like to of the new Ministry of Science and commend the NIWA Christchurch profit after tax Innovation (MSI) – a single agency team for their resilience and tasked with driving the science and ongoing commitment. innovation sector in New Zealand forward. It is a move that the We can all be truly proud of the Board of NIWA welcomes, and we contribution NIWA makes to are already working closely with enhancing New Zealand’s economic MSI to meet our core purpose as and environmental prosperity New Zealand’s leading natural through the delivery of outstanding resources and environmental science based services. capital investment over the science services provider. last 4 years As the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor Sir Peter Gluckman noted recently in his discussion paper on policy formation, science creates the platform for effective strategies and wise policy Chris Mace development. The Board of NIWA Chairman total assets agrees. NIWA has the skills and expertise to make a significant contribution to how New Zealand tackles the important decisions

Chairman Chris Mace (left) and Chief Executive John Morgan. 2 Chairman & Chief Executive’s Report 3 Chairman & Chief Executive’s Report

An unprecedented year

Despite predictions that New Zealand would continue to face significant economic challenges in the 2010–11 financial year, few foresaw the unprecedented economic situation that lay ahead.

Not only did New Zealanders staffing levels, and streamlining our At the same time, we are always continue to feel the lingering effects internal systems so our business looking for ways to improve what of the global economic crisis and operates more efficiently. we do and meet the demand for our our own economic recession, but we services, including upgrading our With this careful planning, and by also endured some of our nation’s national environmental monitoring responding with agility to the quickly greatest tragedies, with significant network and a $25 million refit changing economic environment, loss of life. As a result, New Zealand of our largest research vessel, NIWA has continued to be a posted its worst-ever deficit in May Tangaroa. The refit included the profitable and thriving business this year, and the flow-on effects for installation of a dynamic positioning in 2010–11. Our final results show our economy continue to be felt today. (DP2) system – making Tangaroa an revenue of $117.9 million, with even more valuable New Zealand There is, no doubt, more uncertainty earnings before interest, tax, asset for ocean science, surveying, and instability to come before we and depreciation (EBITDA) of and exploration. see a full economic recovery. $16.3 million and profit after tax How quickly and decisively of $1.3 million – a sound result, With continuing investment in New Zealand responds now will albeit lower than budgeted, given essential technology, including determine our nation’s economic the tough operating environment. purchasing the Southern prosperity in the years ahead. The same is true for NIWA. Like other businesses, we have not been immune to the unusually Tangaroa – New Zealand’s largest single science asset returns after a $25 million upgrade. (Peter Marriott, NIWA) challenging economic environment, and we have had to respond accordingly. Despite the strong demand for NIWA’s science based Hemisphere’s most powerful NIWA’s skills and expertise has prepared for extreme weather services, we forecast relatively supercomputer, upgrading our never been more evident than now. events and natural hazards, static revenue this year. In reality, finance and project management The establishment of the new • Seeking to maintain New Zealand’s it dipped. systems, and investing in new IT Ministry, along with other initiatives ‘clean, green’ image, through hardware and software, NIWA is We were, however, incredibly to better align the functions of better management of our natural well placed to provide science based fortunate to suffer only very minor the Crown Research Institutes environment, services that will contribute to the damage and disruption to our with the needs of the sectors they prosperity of New Zealand in the • Helping New Zealand contribute Christchurch operations after serve, provide the foundation NIWA years ahead. to important global environmental the September and February needs to make an even greater issues like the changing climate. earthquakes. Although more than contribution to New Zealand’s half our Christchurch staff suffered Science is at the forefront of economic growth. Making greater use of our damage to their homes, they New Zealand’s future natural resources showed considerable resilience In his speech at the opening of Contributing to New Zealand’s To boost New Zealand’s economy, and stoicism. Without their the new Ministry of Science and economic recovery and growth scientists at NIWA are looking continued dedication to see the job Innovation (MSI), Dr Wayne Mapp Right now, NIWA has more than at how we can get greater value done, our performance this year said “creating a Ministry which 1000 science projects on the go from our natural resources, in a would certainly have been more spans both science and innovation through our National Science sustainable way. This year, that significantly affected. shows the Government’s intent to Centres. NIWA’s science will research has included quantifying place science at the forefront of Our response to the challenging continue to drive New Zealand’s valuable mineral deposits from New Zealand’s future.” economic environment included economic recovery and growth by: submarine volcanoes in the tightly managing our costs, and At NIWA, we have long held the view Kermadec Arc, and determining how • Identifying ways to make better carrying out an operational review to that New Zealand’s economic and to best protect the unique biological use of our vast natural resources ensure our capabilities were aligned environmental prosperity depends communities of animals which in a sustainable manner, with the nation’s science needs. on robust, long-term research thrive in that hot and chemically rich This included making changes to our NIWA’s supercomputer – greatly enhanced business management with new forecasting accuracy. (Dave Allen, NIWA) and applied science. The need for • Ensuring New Zealand is better environment.

4 Chairman & Chief Executive’s Report 5 Chairman & Chief Executive’s Report

We also provide scientific advice The year ahead company, our customers, and throughout we have proven, time to the Ministry of Fisheries on the It would be imprudent to suggest New Zealand to ensure we maintain and time again, what an important sustainable harvest of more than that the unusually tough economic the right capabilities to meet the contribution NIWA is making to 100 fish species, and in July we conditions we faced in 2010–11 are country’s science and innovation New Zealand’s future prosperity signed a contract with the Ministry now behind us, as a company or needs in a cost-effective and as the country’s leading natural of Fisheries to provide deepwater as a nation. We expect business competitive way. resources and environmental science services provider. fisheries research services under conditions to remain unsettled over I acknowledge that the last year the ten year deepwater plan. the coming year, and, as a result, has been an unsettling time for the The following pages highlight just We are investigating how New Zealand we will need to continue to respond NIWA team. But I am also very a few of our successes this year. can grow its renewable energy with agility, by looking for new ways proud of the positive way our staff resources. We have made significant to improve our efficiency and expand have responded to the changes. advances in aquaculture research. our revenue, and being cautious I thank everyone for their continued For example, we are using selective about our investments. hard work and commitment to the breeding and genomics – the study That said, the organisational company. John Morgan of gene sequences in DNA – to changes we have made this year, I also want to personally thank - Chief Executive establish high-performance hapuku, along with our ongoing capital the NIWA Executive Team and the kingfish, and paua broodstock to expenditure programme, means Board for their ongoing support help New Zealand’s aquaculture NIWA is in a great position to meet and leadership, through the tough industry meet its $1 billion target Science supporting the Christchurch community – showing the largest active fault in Pegasus Bay. (Philip Barnes, NIWA] the future demand for our science conditions we have faced this by 2025. based services. We owe it to our year. It has been challenging, but

Being better prepared for small as 1.5 square kilometres – them to become more involved in natural hazards out to 24 hours in advance, four resource management processes. This year we need no reminders of times daily. how vulnerable we are to natural Helping New Zealand fulfil its hazards. Science not only plays Ensuring our environment is international obligations a crucial role in responding to well managed NIWA‘s science also enhances hazards and disasters, but also New Zealand’s clean, green image New Zealand’s reputation as a world helps us understand more about is a drawcard for tourism, and a leader in science and research, their causes, so we can be better key ingredient in marketing our helping to understand, and mitigate prepared for the risks. After the 22 produce overseas. We must rise against, important global issues like February Christchurch earthquake, to the challenge of developing the climate change and variability. NIWA ocean geologists were part of standards to retain our world ranking a rapid response effort, managed This year marked the 50th for environmental management. by the Natural Hazards Research anniversary of NIWA’s atmospheric Platform, to undertake a seismic This year the Government released research station at Lauder, in survey in Pegasus Bay, off Banks two important policy statements to Central Otago. Over the last five Peninsula. The survey revealed a guide the day-to-day management of decades the research centre has previously unknown offshore fault our coasts and freshwater resources built an international reputation for east of Kaiapoi. Combined with – the New Zealand Coastal Policy its work, specialising in measuring onshore geophysical studies by Statement and the Freshwater levels of chloroflurocarbons (CFC), other organisations, this information Policy Statement. ozone, ultraviolet (UV) light, and will help the Government and greenhouse gases with an extensive NIWA’s science is already making regional council better understand array of world class instruments. an important contribution in these the future seismic risk for International climate experts areas. For example, this year we Christchurch and its residents. describe Lauder’s work as a vital led a ground-breaking study that cog in global climate research. When the Chilean volcano Puyehue combined ma-tauranga Ma-ori erupted in June, NIWA scientists with contemporary science to We are also helping New Zealand were also able to help by providing restore the Waikato River. We are fulfil its international science additional information to aviation also working with the Ministry obligations by providing information authorities about the ash cloud and for the Environment to develop and scientific advice to international how it might affect New Zealand’s New Zealand’s first national-scale agencies like CCAMLR, the airspace. environmental monitoring network Commission for the Conservation of for our surface waters. Through Antarctic Marine Living Resources, Our new $12.7 million supercomputer NIWA’s Ma-ori Environmental and making lead author contributions has also improved our environmental Research Centre, Te Ku-waha, we to the 5th IPCC Report on Climate forecasting capabilities, enabling are also developing easy-to-use Change. us to work towards providing toolkits to help iwi monitor changes meteorological forecasts at ultra- in their rohe (region), and empower high resolution – down to areas as The Hinepuia Seamount on the Kermedec Arc, as revealed by Tangaroa’s seabed mapping technology.

6 Chairman & Chief Executive’s Report 7 Financial Summary

A difficult year “Responding with agility to the rapidly changing economic environment enabled us to continue to achieve profitability.” Kate Thomson, Chief Financial Officer The financial year 2010–11 was a challenging one for many businesses, and NIWA was no exception.

A substantial proportion of revenue capital investment programme, with Net profit after tax Payroll benefits & Capital expenditure 2010–11 owing to the impact of Adjusted return on equity (giving a ($) in millions ($) in millions comes from government agencies, the expenditure of a further $22.0 the constrained economy on our comparative basis with other Crown 70.0 and revenue from this sector million this year on top of the $30.0 12 customers and the unavailability Research Institutes) was 1.9%. dropped as their spending was million and $21.2 million in 2009–10 10 60.0 of Tangaroa for six months. Total constrained or reduced. and 2008–09 respectively. This 8 50.0 revenue for 2010–11 was $117.9 Financial Position & Cash represents a significant commitment 6 million (2010: $127.9 million). In anticipation of the likelihood of 40.0 Capital to the future of science capability 4 a tough year, we began in a cautious 2 The value of NIWA’s commercial 2010–11 was the fourth of a in New Zealand. 30.0 mode, focusing on tightly managing 0 consultancy to New Zealand was planned multi-year major capital costs, while maintaining critical A substantial component of this 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20.0 $34.0 million (2010: $36.4); whilst investment programme designed capability for the long haul, and capital investment was applied 10.0 the value of the international to strengthen infrastructure and ensuring that our capabilities were to Tangaroa and the planned consultancy was $6.5 million (2010: 0 equipment to rapidly advance closely aligned with demands for installation of a dynamic positioning 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 $7.4 million). NIWA’s science based services, and NIWA’s science based services. system and associated upgrading. Revenue by source improve the work environment and Payroll benefits Capital expenditure With the vessel already in the dry Ministry of Science Expenditure facilities for staff. As the year unfolded, and the 45% dock in Singapore, we decided to 4% & Innovation extent of the reduced demands 4% Personnel Costs Despite the tough economic undertake more extensive and Other sales 13% for NIWA’s services became 10% expansive upgrade work than was Staff are NIWA’s greatest asset, environment this investment evident, we continuously adjusted Central government 12% and that is reflected in the continued, taking capital originally envisaged, with the aim 45% Total revenue (includes interest income) our operations and financial 11% Ministry of Fisheries 11% of further increasing the vessel’s ($) in millions deliberate strategy to continue expenditure over the last four planning to ensure we maximised to raise average remuneration. years to $87 million. Over that capabilities, its working life, and its Capability funding 10% 130 revenue and operated profitability. 12% Although this strategy was period NIWA’s maximum debt has revenue generating opportunities. Private sector 4% constrained during 2010–11, total been $19 million, owing to the 13% Achieving profitability in such a The additional work meant that Local government 4% 125 challenging market required us to Tangaroa was out of commission payroll and benefits increased to strong operating cash flows. respond swiftly to the quickly changing for the first half of the year, and $62.5 million (from $60.1 million The most significant elements 120 in 2009–10), with average staff of this investment were $13 circumstances, leading to a Net Profit this impacted negatively on revenue NIWA is a knowledge-based after Tax of $1.3 million on revenue of – a short-term hit for very real long- remuneration increasing by 3.5%. million for the high performance organisation, and we have a The realignment of capabilities with computing facility in Wellington and $117.9 million. term gains. 115 deliberate strategy of continuing the demands for our science and $25 million for the upgrade to the Despite the constraints, we NIWA’s cost structure is not elastic, to improve remuneration for our applied research services resulted capability of our flagship research maintained our commitment to with approximately 50% of costs highly skilled staff in a very globally 110 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 in one-off termination expenses of vessel Tangaroa. Tangaroa now has the completion of NIWA’s four year bound into staff costs. competitive marketplace. $1.2 million. a market value of $60 million and is one of the most capable research Although the economic Earnings before interest, vessels in the world. environment remains challenging, Financial Summary depreciation, and amortisation NIWA continues to be a high Total asset base (EBITDA) in thousands of New Zealand dollars 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 performing Crown Research Average shareholders’ equity at 30 EBITDA was impacted by the June 2011 was $89.7 million (2010: Total revenue (includes interest income) 117,861 127,917 120,438 120,671 113,911 Institute. Financial strength and flexibility enable us to invest reduced revenue; however, it $86.9 million). NIWA’s investment – Research 64,624 65,646 58,883 55,536 53,418 substantially in staff and science remained strong at $16.3 million in capital expenditure is reflected in – Applied science 53,237 62,271 61,555 65,135 60,493 capability to ensure we play a (2010: $24.2 million). its increased average total assets value, which is now $133.6 million Net profit before tax 1,860 9,550 9,050 14,309 14,279 leading role in enhancing the benefits of New Zealand’s natural Net Profit after tax (NPAT) (2010: $121.4 million). Net profit after tax 1,266 4,497 6,011 10,095 9,813 resources. NPAT this financial year was $1.3 Liquidity Capital expenditure 21,990 29,985 21,187 13,985 9,107 million (2010: $4.5 million), against NIWA continues to maintain healthy Adjusted return on average equity (%) 1.9 7.0 9.8 17.9 21.2 Revenue a budget of $6.5 million. liquidity and is able to meet all of its Return on average equity (%) 1.4 5.2 7.1 12.8 14.1 After the strong result in the Whilst below expectations, the obligations as they fall due. The debt previous financial year, when result reflects the determined balance reached $19 million at its The ‘adjusted return on average equity’ uses a valuation basis comparable to other Crown Research Institutes. revenue increased significantly efforts to generate revenue and peak during the year, and reduced to This valuation basis arose from the transition to New Zealand international financial reporting standards. despite the global financial crisis, constrain costs, despite the difficult a net balance of $13.4 million by 30 NIWA’s revenue dropped in economic environment. June 2011.

8 Financial Summary 9 Organisational Responsibility

Making a positive “We are committed to commissioned reports new jobs created making a difference.” to users contribution John Morgan, Chief Executive

NIWA is committed to making a positive contribution to New Zealanders’ well-being.

lost time from injuries PhD students or accidents supervised This commitment is reflected in a set Caring for our people • transferring our knowledge of guiding principles that covers our We are committed to providing: to stakeholders in a way that social, economic, and environmental • a safe and healthy working ensures enduring benefits for responsibilities. We are dedicated environment with zero harm; communities; to continual improvement of our • being an active member of • providing deliverables on time, to • conducting technical and market • ensuring that all material policies, practices, and strategies • a work-life balance that maintains budget, and to agreed specifications; assessments of business waste production and water job satisfaction; the science community, and that deliver on these responsibilities. collaborating with others to • maintaining professional and opportunities arising from our use is minimised, and we make • a working environment, including science, so that investment risk is maximum practical use of NIWA is committed to the principles provide a cohesive science system ethical standards; learning and development better understood; recycling and electronic media; of operation stated in section 5 of the that is effective and efficient; • developing long-term relationships, opportunities, that enables people Crown Research Institutes Act 1992, so that our customers’ success is • being open to joint ventures • ensuring that energy consumption to reach their full potential; • contributing to national policy which require: development and decision- our success. with the private sector, where and greenhouse gas emissions • suitable equipment, so that staff making, so our expertise benefits this encourages start-up of new are compliant and the most cost- • that research undertaken by NIWA can do the job that is asked of economic activity; effective and efficient practice for should be undertaken for the all New Zealanders and helps Economic Responsibility them; • working collaboratively with other the activities they relate to; benefit of New Zealand; New Zealand meet its obligations NIWA is committed to operating • remuneration and rewards that as a global citizen. with financial discipline, so we parts of government to ensure that • making use of environmental • that NIWA should pursue fairly reflect an individual’s retain our long-term viability and first adopters are appropriately initiatives introduced and excellence in all its activities; - contribution to the organisation’s Working in partnership with Maori thus meet our core purpose science supported and that government supported by local industries, • that in carrying out its activities success; We are committed to: responsibilities. NIWA’s knowledge investment is aligned and effective. councils, and community groups; NIWA should comply with any • a professional, participative, and • developing and maintaining and expertise provide significant • encouraging our employees to applicable ethical standards; collegial workplace where people effective long-term relationships opportunities for generating Environmental take positive actions to reduce the • that NIWA should promote are respected and supported and with iwi, hapu-, and other Ma-ori economic benefit for New Zealand, Responsibility effects of their activities on the and facilitate the application enjoy being part of. organisations throughout and we have a responsibility to NIWA is committed to ensuring that environment. of the results of research and New Zealand; ensure that they do. we take due care of the environment technological developments; Working in the community • developing Ma-ori research when carrying out our activities. Imparting our knowledge to others to improve environmental • that NIWA should be a good We are committed to: capability and capacity within Continuing to be financially viable Whilst our science contributes outcomes employer; • engaging positively with local NIWA and in our partner Ma-ori We are committed to: strongly to better environmental We are committed to: • that NIWA should be an communities in which we are organisations; • making fiscally responsible outcomes for New Zealand, we do • helping others meet their organisation that exhibits a conducting our science, explaining • sharing our knowledge and decisions and maintaining NIWA’s have environmental impacts when environmental responsibilities sense of social responsibility by what we propose to do, respecting skills, so that Ma-ori are better short- and long-term financial conducting that science, and such by providing objective advice on having regard to the interests local traditions and culture, and enabled to realise the potential viability; impacts must be minimised. the impacts of their activities of the community in which it keeping them informed of our of their resources and exercise • on-going investment in capital We need to encourage others to and solutions to mitigate those operates and by endeavouring to results; kaitiakitanga; items that enable us to conduct use our knowledge to improve the environmental outcomes they have impacts; accommodate or encourage those • supporting science education • increasing the capability of our excellent science and continue to responsibility for. • providing appropriate tools interests when able to do so. and knowledge transfer to staff to interact with Ma-ori through generate revenue. and training for community communities (e.g., Kelly Tarlton’s, training in te reo and tikanga. Social Responsibility Science & Technology Fairs, Generating economic benefit Ensuring our activities are groups and others to implement environmentally responsible environmental monitoring and NIWA is committed to work work placements, supervision Working with our customers for New Zealand of postgraduates, educating We are committed to: habitat rehabilitation projects; practices, operations, and science We are committed to: We are committed to: community environmental • ensuring that all operational • providing information on the outcomes that support its staff and • listening to our customers and • using our knowledge to help groups); activities and assets comply with nation’s unique aquatic biodiversity the wider community. Our approach understanding their needs and others derive economic benefit is one of partnership and inclusion resource consents, relevant and threats to it, so that wise • raising public awareness of the expectations; from the efficient and effective to ensure that we incorporate the value of science and innovation use of New Zealand’s natural environmental standards, decisions can be made. interests of others in our activities, through public talks, media • proposing and delivering resources and infrastructure; biosecurity and biodiversity regulations, and permitting communicate our science well, and interviews and releases, our innovative services and solutions; • providing solutions that reduce maximise the benefits our science requirements; website, and sponsoring local • regularly informing customers of or eliminate risks from natural or brings to society. relevant events; progress, and maintaining a ‘no human-induced environmental • ensuring that all sampling and surprises’ policy; impacts on economic activities; experiments with live animals comply with the Animal Welfare Act 1999;

10 Organisational Responsibility 11 Our Science NIWA’s science and applied research services are delivered by our National Centres. Each centre conducts a wide range of research contributing to a high-level outcome for New Zealand. The following pages provide an insight into our science and applied research.

12 Peter Marriott, NIWA Our Science 13 Aquaculture & Biotechnology

“We are investing in the future by laying the foundation for Genome power - boosts aquaculture tomorrow’s domesticated stocks of hapuku and kingfish.” Andrew Forsythe, Chief Scientist, Aquaculture & Biotechnology

NIWA’s aquaculture team are using selective breeding and genomics – the study of gene sequences in DNA – to establish high-performance broodstock for the aquaculture industry.

The development process for the Breeding families established culture of a new species means that, NIWA now has more than 50 initially, the farmed stocks come ha-puku families, 25 kingfish from wild-caught undomesticated families, and a well-established parents. The offspring of these wild- breeding programme for paua, with caught parents have unpredictable 95 families. Evaluation of these performance in an aquaculture families has demonstrated that it setting. Therefore, there is a need is possible to select faster growing to identify elite broodstock through stocks for the industry – growth rate selective breeding, and to develop is a heritable trait. systems to control reproduction and the production of high quality seed. Identifying specific parents that - produce good performing offspring “In coordination with our hapuku provides the basis for a cost- hatchery development programme, - effective breeding programme for 8000 hapuku, representing more future commercial implementation. than 50 families, were set aside The aim is to identify families that for evaluation for future selective not only grow well, but also convert breeding,” says NIWA aquaculture their feed efficiently into body mass. scientist Dr Jane Symonds. - NIWA’s research using chinook NIWA’s goal for hapuku, kingfish, salmon families has demonstrated and paua is to spawn sufficient the feasibility of selecting for wild broodstock to form a diverse this economically valuable trait. genetic base for future selection, Achieving efficient feed conversion is and to identify the best performing important for lowering both the costs individuals by analysing the of production for the farmer and the performance of their offspring. environmental footprint associated Dr Symonds says, “the use of with unused feed and faeces. microsatellite DNA markers for parentage analysis has allowed us to understand spawning behaviour and how individual broodstock contribute during the reproductive season.”

kingfish eggs collected ha-puku eggs incubated during spawning for evaluation

Collaborators AgResearch Abacus Bio OceaNZ Blue New Zealand King Salmon

Funder - Ministry of Science and Innovation hapuku juveniles produced pedigree paua measured New Zealand King Salmon in proof-of-concept trials

Ha-puku broodstock at NIWA’s Bream Bay Aquaculture Park. (Irene Van de Ven, NIWA) 14 Aquaculture & Biotechnology 15 Atmosphere

Reaching new heights – Lauder celebrates 50 years of atmospheric research

It is 50 years since scientists established the atmospheric research centre at Lauder, Central Otago. Today, Lauder is the best equipped Southern Hemisphere station, and is home to a team of world-class research scientists and their instruments.

Lauder was initially set up to study The ozone hole reached its future of the ozone layer, and its role the Earth’s upper atmosphere. maximum size of 30 million square in the climate, using sophisticated As the problems facing the world kilometres in 2006. In 2010, the chemistry-climate models as part of have changed over time, so too has maximum size was down to 22 an international effort. the role of Lauder. million square kilometres. Lauder now focuses on the links Until the 1980s, chlorofluorocarbons Lauder’s measurements are between climate and atmospheric (CFCs) were used throughout the widely used in the international composition change. One such link is world, for example in aerosol spray atmospheric science community. the impact the ozone hole has on the cans and as refrigerants. CFCs Lauder and Arrival Heights, climate near the Earth’s surface. break down once they are in the Antarctica, are part of the global “Ozone affects climate throughout stratosphere, releasing chlorine and Network for the Detection of the Southern Hemisphere. Recent bromine atoms, which then destroy Atmospheric Composition Change. modelling studies attribute a ozone, our shield against ultraviolet The measurements include most of southward shift of the subtropical (UV) radiation. the gases that contribute to climate dry zone to the ozone hole. change. The Antarctic ozone hole, discovered This implies drought conditions for in 1985, is in fact a reduction in Today, ozone appears to be in some regions that previously had concentrations of ozone high up in recovery, due to the 1987 Montreal relatively ample rainfall. Conversely, the stratosphere. Lauder was well Protocol that led to the phasing climate change also affects the placed to contribute to research out of CFCs – often hailed as the transport and chemistry of ozone into the causes and effects of ozone most successful international and other constituents in the depletion; NIWA scientists have environmental protection treaty of stratosphere,” says NIWA’s Dr Olaf been measuring ozone, compounds all time. Morgenstern. relevant to ozone chemistry, and UV In 2002, Lauder moved into The foundation for Lauder’s future radiation, at Lauder for more than computer-modelling the past and is being laid with new research into 25 years. the recovery of the ozone layer and climate change.

“Lauder’s measurements are widely used in the international atmospheric science

community.” the ozone hole in 2010 Lauder is one of only five Dr Murray Poulter, international sites which detect Chief Scientist, Atmosphere atmospheric composition change

New Zealand Funders Foundation for Research, Science the ozone hole in 2006 on the ultraviolet index, NZ’s and Technology, highest UVI numbers occur in Ministry of Science and Innovation February

Historical images of Lauder and Antarctic operations. 16 Atmosphere 17 Aquatic Biodiversity & Biosecurity

Saving our waterways from alien invaders

On the surface, New Zealand lakes and rivers may appear in good “Invasive aquatic weeds are having disastrous environmental condition, but underwater alien aquatic plants are silently invading our waterways, posing a serious threat to New Zealand biosecurity. impacts on New Zealand’s lakes and waterways, costing millions of dollars to remedy.” More than 70 freshwater aquatic costing about NZ$270 million a Weed-free for a Dr Barb Hayden, plants have been introduced into year to control. Hydrilla was first world competition Chief Scientist, Aquatic Biodiversity & Biosecurity New Zealand, with devastating discovered in New Zealand in Another success was the four-year consequences for our native aquatic Hawke’s Bay in the 1960s. programme, in partnership with plants and other wildlife. Aquatic Now, four decades after its Land Information New Zealand, weeds also cause serious problems accidental introduction, it has local authorities, and iwi, to reduce for electricity generation by clogging been almost completely eradicated water-weed interference at the Lake up hydro dams, and making from New Zealand waterways, Karapiro rowing course for the World recreational activities, such as thanks to research and innovative Rowing Championships last year. swimming and boating, difficult. management tools used by NIWA’s biosecurity team. Aquatic weeds, particularly “Invasive aquatic weeds are having hornwort, another top-ranked disastrous environmental impacts on As part of a MAF Biosecurity invasive weed species, can have New Zealand’s lakes and waterways, New Zealand weed eradication a significant impact on rowing costing millions of dollars to remedy. programme, NIWA research regattas, when weeds get caught Fast, effective, and innovative tools to identified the herbicide endothall around the rowers’ blades (oars) or control the worst aquatic plant pests, as being effective in controlling the boat’s rudder, hindering boat and prevent their spread, are vital,” large beds of hydrilla in lakes, speed and direction. Diquat says Dr Barb Hayden, Chief Scientist, leaving no toxic residue behind. (a herbicide) was applied to the Aquatic Biodiversity & Biosecurity. “The New Zealand strain has been lake by air to ensure that specific very difficult to control,” says NIWA’s science is helping lake and weed beds could be targeted. NIWA freshwater scientist Dr John river managers find solutions to Dr Clayton says diquat was “a really Clayton, “because it produces small control invasive aquatic weeds, using cost-effective option considering tubers that can lie dormant in lake a mixture of mechanical, chemical the size of the lake, and there were sediments for more than a decade.” (herbicides), and biological means. no adverse effects on fish or water In response, NIWA began trialling quality. ”The racing was unaffected grass carp, a plant-eating fish, as an by weeds, and there were substantial Wiping out the additional tool for long-term hydrilla world’s worst weeds flow-on benefits, such as reducing removal. New Zealand is now the costs of weed interference on Hydrilla is known as the world’s 99 percent hydrilla free, with hydro-power generation. worst submerged weed. In the minimal risk of it reoccurring, saving United States alone, it has caused millions of dollars of damage and serious damage to lakes and rivers, on-going management costs.

alien aquatic plant the maximum depth at species now established which native plants grow Collaborators in NZ lakes in an NZ lake Mighty River Power Rowing NZ InGear Global

Funders MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Land Information New Zealand Elliot Chemicals of surveyed lakes have dives carried out by one Foundation for Research, at least one alien aquatic NIWA diver in invasive weed Science and Technology plant species surveillance

NIWA diver Aleki Taumoepeau (Aquatic Plants) in Lake Waikaremoana. (John Clayton, NIWA) 18 Aquatic Biodiversity & Biosecurity 19 Climate

Glaciers – New Zealand’s natural thermometers

New Zealand’s glaciers are one of our best bellwethers, says climate scientist Dr Andrew Lorrey, who leads a New Zealand long-term glacier snowline monitoring project.

“One of the things about our glaciers snowlines ever were recorded. is that they are incredibly sensitive In essence, the glacier changes to temperature. It’s like having a are recorded by photographing the natural thermometer in the field,” absolute positions of the glaciers’ says Dr Lorrey. As such, the fortunes snowlines: if the snowline has of 50 monitored glaciers – scattered receded (climbed higher) since the mostly along the Southern Alps – last measurement, it shows that indicate how our climate is changing. more snow has melted from the “Many glaciers are shrinking,” glacier than has fallen on it. If the Lorrey says. “On a year-to-year snowline has lowered, the reverse basis, we attribute loss largely to is true. warmer-than-normal summer Work in this area has been led for temperatures and below-normal years by Dr Trevor Chinn, a key precipitation before and during member of the monitoring team. summer. The compiled losses over Chinn has examined small high- the twentieth century are attributed altitude glaciers, and the much to long-term warming.” larger, longer, valley glaciers, such The researchers involved (including as the Tasman, over the course Andrew Willsman and Dr Tim Kerr of four decades. The monitoring of NIWA) have teased apart the indicates that small glaciers respond complex concert of weather and very quickly to temperature changes, climate influences that drive glacier whereas the effects sometimes activity. Last year, an El Niño drove take much longer to show in larger southwesterlies on to the country, glaciers. That is one reason some bringing average or below-average are still advancing, even as smaller temperatures, but record low spring ones “like Mt St Mary, are all but rains over Westland, and near- gone” says Lorrey. normal precipitation over the rest of NIWA’s work provides a vital the survey area. Glaciers in the south southern perspective to global and west gained a small amount of glacier studies, Dr Lorrey says. mass, while those to the north and “We’re one of few places in the east of the Southern Alps shrank Andrew Lorrey, NIWA Southern Hemisphere that has a during 2009–10, largely from a glacier monitoring programme, and record warm August 2009 and highs it’s a very good one – it has a long and heat waves in February 2010. and interesting history. The data we A different story emerged this past provide make a valuable contribution “Our scientists have summer. Dr Lorrey says the most towards monitoring the changes that of New Zealand glaciers photographs of all glaciers in recent survey showed that most are occurring globally.” excellent international have lost permanent ice the Southern Alps from 1977 glaciers had lost snow and ice during area since 1977 to 2011 early 2011, and some of the highest reputations, and are addressing issues of both local and global Collaborators University of Otago importance.” reduction in hectares of the number of New Zealand Victoria University of Wellington Dr David Wratt, Chief Scientist, Climate Jalf Glacier on the West glaciers bigger than 1 hectare Funder Coast – the greatest change Ministry of Science and Innovation observed in any index glacier

20 Climate 21 Coasts

Forensically uncovering sediment sources

New Zealand’s diverse coastline stretches more than 15 000 kilometres, and is vital for recreation, transport, tourism, and biodiversity.

Last year, the Government issued Scientist of Coastal Physical a new Coastal Policy Statement Processes. “But it’s one we must (CPS), which guides local authorities address if we are to effectively in their day-to-day management of target the main sources of sediment the coastal environment, under the pollution to mitigate their impacts.” Resource Management Act. One aim NIWA’s coastal research has of the CPS is to improve coastal developed two solutions to this water quality, which is affected by problem. sedimentation and other discharges associated with land uses. The first is the source-to-sink computer model, which predicts “Understanding how land use, erosion of sediment from sources human activities, or natural throughout the catchment (such as processes impact on our coastal pasture, gullies, and streambanks), environment will help us find ways to transport of the eroded sediment protect these important habitats for down through the stream network, generations to come,” says Dr Clive passage through tidal creeks, and Howard-Williams, Chief Scientist, dispersal and ultimate accumulation Coasts. in the estuary at the base of the NIWA is using unique methods to catchment. The model keeps track help local authorities identify the of the sediments and any attached source and impact of sedimentation contaminants, such as heavy metals and other discharges into coastal or pesticides, allowing scientists to environments. work backwards from any part of the estuary to find out where in the Sedimentation in our estuaries catchment the sediment pollution Walk out on an estuarine intertidal originated. flat suffering the effects of fine- The second solution comes from sediment pollution, such as the world of environmental forensics Mark Pritchard, NIWA smothered cockles, unhealthy – the Compound-specific Stable seagrass, or turbid water, and the Isotope (CSI) method. This involves first question a coastal scientist or matching the chemical fingerprint coastal manager will ask is: Where of sediments deposited in the did that sediment come from? estuary with fingerprints of “Understanding how “It’s not an easy question to answer,” reference samples obtained at land use, human says Dr Malcolm Green, Principal sites throughout the catchment. A mathematical model is then activities, or natural used to deconstruct the estuary estuaries included in the on average, the sea level rise sediments, identifying the source processes impact on New Zealand Estuary around New Zealand over the regions in the catchment, as well our coastal environment classification last 100 years Collaborators as the percentage of the estuary Landcare Research sediment attributable to each source. will help us find ways to ESR (Environmental Science and Research) Both methods are helping local protect these important Funders authorities by providing detailed Ministry of Science and Innovation information on the location, type, and habitats for generations Auckland Council scale of the most effective mitigation years of coastal ecosystem New Zealand’s coastline Bay of Plenty Regional Council to come.” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) measures they can use at a practical monitoring of Auckland Waikato Regional Council level to better manage sediment Dr Clive Howard-Williams, harbours and estuaries by Land Information New Zealand pollution in their estuaries. Chief Scientist, Coasts the Auckland Council

22 Coasts 23 Energy

Biogas: pig power = smart power

NIWA is actively promoting new ideas and concepts that will enhance New Zealand’s economic and environmental performance. Recent research has helped to establish some building blocks of future energy systems in New Zealand.

Steve Lepper’s 400-sow pig farm heat from the generator is used in The collaborative pilot project in North Taranaki was awarded the a reticulated hot water system for realised by Transpacific Industries, 2010 EECA Awards in the Small- keeping young pigs warm. Greenlane Biogas, NIWA, and Medium Business category. DieselGas International has The system is saving the farm more successfully converted landfill gas NIWA identified that anaerobic than $35,000 a year in electricity costs. to vehicle fuel for the first time in digestion in covered waste ponds “It was the first system that we New Zealand. holds significant potential to designed and provided to industry, reduce odour and greenhouse gas “It’s a solution that is economically and it’s been a real success,” says emissions, while providing biogas as and environmentally sensible,” NIWA research engineer Stephan a local energy source, and designed says Heubeck, who initiated and Heubeck. Encouraged by the a purpose-built 7000 m3 anaerobic coordinated this project. results in Taranaki, NIWA is now effluent pond for Steve’s farm. collaborating with the Australian “Up to 5% of New Zealand’s current NIWA’s simple and low cost cover pork industry to implement bigger transport fuel requirements design is effective in recovering versions of the award-winning could be met with waste-derived and storing biogas, and it makes it system across the Tasman. biogas from municipal and rural available for a multitude of uses. wastes that require treatment and In the case of the Lepper farm, it Rubbish-powered handling,” says Heubeck. The ‘waste is used for electricity generation rubbish truck to fuel’ project is bringing to life the and heating in a combined heat and possibilities that biogas holds for The rubbish truck collecting waste power unit. The generator provides cutting greenhouse gas emissions for the Redvale landfill in Auckland most of the piggery’s electricity and diversifying transport fuel is powered by what was thrown out needs during daytime, and waste needs towards more renewable and in the past. domestically sourced supplies.

of road transport fuel New Zealand farms could provided by biogas in use biogas technology Sweden “Our research is helping the government meet its target of generating (Terawatt hours per year) manure from 40 pigs 90% of electricity electricity produced from can fuel the average biogas in Germany New Zealand car from renewable resources by 2025.” Dr Murray Poulter, Chief Scientist, Energy Funders and Collaborators Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority Transpacific Industries Greenlane Biogas DieselGas International

Dave Allen, NIWA 24 Energy 25 Fisheries

Surveys help ensure the future for commercial fisheries

Commercial fishing is one of New Zealand’s biggest export industries, employing more than 26 000 people. About 130 species are commercially fished in New Zealand. Last year, exports of New Zealand seafood were nearly $1.5 billion.

“Good science is essential to ensure The Chatham Rise is the main our fisheries continue to provide nursery for hoki, New Zealand’s economic benefits to New Zealand, largest fishery. In 2009–10 the but are still managed in a sustainable commercial catch of hoki from the way,” says Fisheries Chief Scientist, Chatham Rise was 39 000 tonnes. Dr Rosemary Hurst. Over the last 20 years the proportion of hoki in the trawl survey catch NIWA is New Zealand’s main declined from nearly 60 percent in provider of fisheries resource 1993 to 21 percent in 2004, but has surveys, catch monitoring, and increased again to 30–40 percent stock assessment research. NIWA of the total biomass in the past six fisheries experts provide scientific years. advice to the Ministry of Fisheries on more than 100 fish species. This year’s survey shows that both Recently, NIWA successfully the eastern and western hoki stocks tendered for a Ministry of Fisheries are continuing to rebuild, says NIWA contract to undertake 28 projects fisheries Principal Scientist, Dr under the Deepwater Fisheries 10- Richard O’Driscoll. “That rebuilding year research plan. is the result of reduced fishing in comparison with previous levels, 20 years studying but also because of improved hoki abundance recruitment.” This year NIWA fisheries scientists “The survey collects essential made their 20th consecutive trip information to help us assess on Tangaroa to the Chatham Rise hoki, hake, and ling stocks, which to study the abundance of hoki helps the Ministry of Fisheries set and other commercially important appropriate catch limits, but it also species, such as hake and ling. fulfils an important ecosystem- The Ministry of Fisheries-funded monitoring role by providing survey is the most comprehensive additional information to improve and consistent time series of species our knowledge about species abundance in depths of 200– distribution and biodiversity,” says Rob Stewart, NIWA 800 metres in New Zealand’s Dr O’Driscoll. Exclusive Economic Zone. Since the surveys began in 1992, scientists have analysed more than one million individual fish, squid, Collaborators “Good science is BlueWater Marine Research Limited crustaceans, and benthic fauna to Kevin Stokes help establish biomass trends and essential to ensure Paul Starr spatial and depth distributions. stomachs from 34 fish species fish measured by observers Stock Monitoring Services Limited In that time, 558 species or species our fisheries continue on Chatham Rise examined and entered into the Central Trophia Limited groups have been identified. Species to provide economic and analysed since 2004 Observer Database that can’t be identified at sea are Funders Ministry of Fisheries taken back to NIWA’s laboratory in benefits to New Zealand, Challenger Scallop Enhancement Wellington for identification. NIWA Company gifts rare and new-to-science fish to but are still managed in DeepWater Group Limited Te Papa, where they are preserved a sustainable way.” Paua Industry Council and stored in the National Fish species in 112 families fisheries databases managed Rock Lobster Industry Council Collection. Seafood Innovations Limited Dr Rosemary Hurst, included in two New Zealand for the Ministry of Fisheries Shallard and Associates Chief Scientist, Fisheries fish identification guides

26 Fisheries 27 Freshwater

Aquatic rehabilitation “Our waterways are a precious taonga, an asset to New Zealand. Urgent restoration and clean-up efforts are essential to ensure underway that the water quality and ecosystem health of our lakes and rivers are improved.” New Zealand’s lakes and rivers are a drawcard for tourism. Used widely for fishing and boating, they are also a source of water for drinking, irrigation, and electricity generation. But, in recent Dr Clive Howard-Williams, Chief Scientist, Freshwater years, the health of New Zealand’s unique aquatic ecosystems has begun to deteriorate.

Many lakes and rivers are now in restoring the health and wellbeing downloaded from the Ministry for the a degraded state, which threatens of the Waikato River for future Environment website (www.mfe.govt.nz). our national ‘clean, green’ image, generations. NIWA led a ground- and has cultural ramifications breaking scoping study to define the Restoration of the - for Maori. “Our waterways are costs and benefits of various actions Rotorua lakes a precious taonga, an asset to the Authority might take to restore Excessive inputs of nitrogen and New Zealand. Urgent restoration the river. phosphorus have degraded several and clean-up efforts are essential “For the first time, we have iconic Rotorua lakes, causing to ensure that the water quality and combined ma-tauranga Ma-ori potentially toxic blooms of blue- ecosystem health of our lakes and (traditional knowledge) with green algae. To control the algal rivers are improved,” says Dr Clive contemporary social and biophysical blooms, both the nitrogen and Howard-Williams, Chief Scientist, science, and economics, to help phosphorus loads must be reduced. Freshwater. restore a national asset,” says Dr NIWA is part of a collaborative NIWA is actively involved in John Quinn, Freshwater Ecology project looking at ways to reduce research and consultation aimed at Principal Scientist. phosphorus levels as part of a lake enhancing efforts by landowners, restoration toolbox. Sixty recommended priority actions community groups, industry, iwi, and were developed for the Authority. Four sediment-capping agents government to rehabilitate the key Costs, benefits, and co-benefits for have been trialled to test their values and ecosystem services of restoring key values, and overall effectiveness in reducing degraded rivers and lakes. economic effects on the region and phosphorus leaking from sediments New Zealand over a 30-year duration to the overlying lake water and what Restoring the health and were assessed for each action. side effects these agents might have wellbeing of the Waikato River The actions cover a range of topics, on the lake’s ecosystem health. In late 2010, the Government including water quality, recreation, After successfully using a thin layer established a co-management human health, water supply, of natural zeolite clay to reduce authority (the Waikato River spiritual values, fisheries, and kai. phosphorus levels in Lake Okaro, the Authority – with 50:50 Crown- A novel report-card system was also team is now testing it in the much Ma-ori membership) to promote developed to monitor the progress larger Lakes Rotoehu and Rotorua. an integrated, holistic approach to of each action. The report can be

Collaborators the volume of high-quality the proportion of New Zealand AgResearch water in Lake Taupo, monitored lakes that have Beca Diffuse Sources Limited New Zealand’s largest lake shown a decline in water Enveco quality in the last ten years Market Economics Limited Nimmo-Bell & Company Limited Tipa and Associates Bay of Plenty Regional Council University of Waikato Scion the reduction in sediment loss the amount of Crown funding from Mangaotama Catchment allocated to the Waikato River Funders Ministry for the Environment (Waikato) following improved Authority to restore and protect Ministry of Science and Innovation farm management and the Waikato River over the next Bay of Plenty Regional Council riparian planting 30 years

Dave Allen, NIWA 28 Freshwater 29 Natural Hazards

Rapid response a critical part “But for us to be able to respond, we have to invested in a new days for the ash from the Chilean of hazards science be ready. That is why supercomputer for volcano to travel eastward and continuing investment environmental forecasting reach New Zealand This year we need no reminders of how vulnerable we are to natural hazards. Science has a crucial role in responding to hazards and in skills and technology disasters, in better understanding their causes and hence the risk. is so important.” Dr Murray Poulter, Chief Scientist, Rapid response is vital after a hazard understand the seismic future for the largest wave to hit the number of submarine Natural Hazards strikes. Following the 22 February Christchurch and its residents. New Zealand’s coastline volcanoes on the Kermadec Ridge Christchurch earthquake, NIWA following the Japanese And when the Chilean volcano’s ash ocean geologists were part of the earthquake on 11 March 2011 approached our airspace, NIWA rapid response effort managed scientists were also able to respond by the Natural Hazards Research rapidly to measure the ash cloud Platform. Their job was to undertake over Central Otago. Laser radar a seismic survey in southern (lidar) measurements of small Pegasus Bay, off Banks Peninsula. particles in the atmosphere up to They worked from Kaharoa, NIWA’s about 20 kilometres have been coastal research vessel, and regularly made at Lauder. “Our collected seismic data about faults on-going measurement programme at depths of up to 1.5 kilometres has created the tools and capability below the seabed. The survey to apply to unforeseen events such increased understanding of the as the eruption,” says NIWA Lauder earthquakes in a regional context, scientist Ben Liley. and will contribute to a longer-term understanding of seismic hazards in “Our hazards work has been directly Canterbury. beneficial to New Zealand in recent months,” says NIWA’s Chief Scientist, “It was great to be able to apply all Natural Hazards, Dr Murray Poulter. the knowledge, capability, and tools “But for us to be able to respond, that we have been developing over we have to be ready. This is why two decades to help people,” says continuing investment in skills and Dr Philip Barnes, a NIWA ocean technology is so important.” geologist and principal scientist. “We had the skills, the equipment, In 2010, NIWA invested over and the databases that were needed $12.7 million in a new supercomputer, to respond very quickly.” specifically to improve our environmental forecasting capability. The NIWA-led survey revealed a The power of the computer, combined previously unknown offshore fault with formidable meteorological east of Kaiapoi; it also confirmed models, means we are now that the offshore faults have very low generating forecasts of hazards, activity rates, implying they generate such as intense rainfall, floods, earthquakes very infrequently. storm surge, and waves, at much Work continues for the benefit of higher resolution. The forecasts the public and the Government, in are delivered via EcoConnect, parallel with onshore geophysical NIWA’s online forecasting and studies by collaborators within information service. The NZLAM the Hazards Platform, to better (New Zealand Limited Area Model) at the heart of the system will soon be supplemented by a second model, NZCONV (New Zealand CONVective scale model). NZCONV is a cloud- Collaborator resolving model, and will provide University of Otago ultra-high-resolution meteorological forecasts (down to 1.5 square Funders kilometres resolution) out to 24 Ministry of Science and Innovation hours in advance, four times daily. Natural Hazards Research Platform

30 Natural Hazards 31 Oceans

Seabed’s secrets unfold in New Zealand’s marine estate New Zealand’s ocean estate is the fourth largest in the world, and a source of immeasurable economic and environmental wealth. Through fishing and aquaculture, oil and gas exploration and extraction, tourism and recreation, transport and telecommunications links, the ocean is a fundamental key to New Zealand’s economic well-being.

Beneath the ocean, the seabed is resources require fundamental dynamic, dramatic, and infinitely knowledge of the seafloor, and variable. The ocean floor around its biological and environmental New Zealand owes its origins to uniqueness. These maps combine a complex geological landscape, truly sophisticated seafloor mapping rough seas, and tidal currents that with expert marine geological scour it. Ridges, plateaus, giant knowledge,” says Dr Severne. landslide-scarred canyons, tectonic Increasingly sophisticated acoustic fault systems, and seamounts create technology is revealing the a massive, diverse underwater seabed’s finer secrets. A multibeam environment. echosounder, mounted on the hull of NIWA Chief Scientist, Oceans, Tangaroa, is our key mapping tool. Dr Charlotte Severne, says The echosounder sends out a fan of “New Zealand has sovereignty rights acoustic beams to depths of up to to the management and economic 5500 metres, up to one kilometre wide. exploitation of the ocean throughout The beams hit the seabed and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and bounce back, and scientists use the wider limits of the Continental Shelf.” acoustic echoes to build up a 3D picture of water depth and the shape NIWA scientists are proven and composition of the seabed. specialists in fine-detail mapping of the seafloor, and bathymetric (water This year, we made our unique depth) analysis. Knowing what undersea maps of New Zealand’s lies beneath the waves is integral EEZ freely downloadable from our to much of NIWA’s ocean-based website. The maps are available in research, including our fisheries, a range of formats, from jpegs to ocean geology, marine biodiversity, high-resolution 250-metre gridded and conservation work. We have geographical information systems a long history of producing maps (GIS) products. The maps cover and charts of the seabed, which are an area of 11.7 million square always in demand. kilometres, and extend to depths of 11 000 metres. “Discovery, assessment, and sustainable management of oceanic The Department of Conservation is an avid user of the maps. “NIWA’s undersea maps formed the key base schools and universities, and the data for the Sub-Antarctic Marine Source Information general public. “Discovery, assessment, and Bathymetry compiled from data held at the Protected Area Forum,” says Sean National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Cooper, DOC’s Marine Conservation A more detailed mapping project in sustainable management Research (NIWA); Hydrographic Office, Royal Manager. “The high-quality maps Cook Strait produced three highly New Zealand Navy; National Geophysical really brought the seabed to life and acclaimed maps showing the deep of oceanic resources the area covered by NIWA’s the depth below the sea to Data Centre (US.); South Pacific Applied assisted the forum to determine seabed of Wellington Harbour and undersea maps which our mapping extends Geoscience Commission (Fiji); published Marine Protected Area options for Cook Strait in incredible digital require fundamental scientific papers; recent swath bathymetric Ministers to consider.” detail. The maps were finalists in surveys funded by NIWA; Institute Français knowledge of the seafloor Wellington’s Gold Awards 2011. de Recherche pour l’exploitation de la Over 3000 downloads have been A similar project to map Auckland’s Mer (IFREMER), France; Seabed Mapping made since the launch of the maps and its biological and New Zealand Limited; Land Information Hauraki Gulf is almost complete. in 2010. Users include: fisheries, New Zealand (LINZ) environmental uniqueness.” telecommunications companies, Download the seabed at: Dr Charlotte Severne, Funder petrochemical and other mineral www.niwa.co.nz/our-science/ the size of one landslide in soundings used to survey Ministry of Science and Innovation prospectors, government agencies, oceans/bathymetry Chief Scientist, Oceans Cook Strait Wellington Harbour

32 Oceans 33 Environmental Information

“We are making every New technology makes drop of New Zealand’s sensors connected to the monitoring stations connected valuable water NEON system to the NEON system every drop count resource count

Much of the available freshwater in New Zealand is already allocated for agriculture, and through NEON – our there is significant interest in expanding production. To make that possible, New Zealand innovative, real-time, needs to make every drop of water count. environmental automated user reports transactions received by New Zealand’s water resources are Each night, users place orders for monitoring and generated by NEON each day NEON each day limited and can be highly variable as the water they need the next day. control technology.” river levels rise and fall very quickly. The scheme control system Even worse, climate change scenarios manages the reticulation and Dr Jochen Schmidt, Chief Scientist, predicting warmer summers and delivers the required amounts of Environmental Information reduced rainfall during the growing water to the right place, at the right season suggest that the water time, while ensuring that the total available for irrigation will become amount of water taken remains scarcer in the future. Much of the within Environment Canterbury’s available freshwater in New Zealand consent limits. is already allocated for agriculture, and there is significant interest in Web-enabled irrigation expanding production. To make that The Acton scheme has eight possible, New Zealand needs to make automatic water flow-control every drop of water count. stations and three buffer ponds. Working closely with the irrigation Using NEON, the scheme operator industry, NIWA has developed its can monitor and control all parts of NEON system into a new real-time the system from anywhere with a monitoring and demand-driven cellular wireless data connection. control system, which allows The eight control stations send visualisation and control of whole data to the NIWA NEON irrigation irrigation systems through the server via a cell phone connection. internet, to meet the water users’ Authorised users can access requirements within resource real-time and historical data on the consent operating restraints. server via any internet browser on their computer or smartphone. Ordering water Text message alerts and alarms can The Acton Irrigation Scheme in also be sent to nominated mobile Canterbury takes water from the phones if any problems occur in the Rakaia River at consent flow rates irrigation system – for example if the of up to three cubic metres per flow rates exceed the consented rates second (cumecs). Acton is the eighth – allowing the scheme operators to major irrigation scheme NIWA has act quickly to remedy the issue. automated in just over a decade, but Chief Scientist, Environmental it’s quite different to the others. Information, Dr Jochen Schmidt says The Acton system not only controls the NEON system has provided a water flow through the irrigation unique and innovative solution to a races, but, using the NEON system, complex problem for irrigators. water users can also schedule and supply irrigation water to order. “This system allows water users to maximise the amount of water taken within consent conditions. When supply and demand for water Collaborators is so variable, and the time needed to Environmental Consultancy Services Ltd transport water through the system Alpine Hydraulics Ltd requires considerable planning and Bartlett Electrical coordination, that’s a significant step Unidata Pty forward. We really are making every Funder drop of New Zealand’s valuable Rooney Earthmoving water resource count through NEON.” Nelson Boustead, NIWA 34 Environmental Information 35 Pacific Rim

Kiribati plans for climate change

As they develop their economies, Pacific Island nations must plan for the impacts of climate change within most of their sectors, such as infrastructure, says NIWA’s Pacific Rim Manager, Doug Ramsay.

“Infrastructure is one particular South Tarawa consists of many sector where incorporating climate smaller islets, linked by narrow change considerations is critical causeways which can be overtopped because of the long life spans of when large waves combine with high developments such as roads,” says sea levels. Doug. He and his NIWA team have Doug says there are a number of been working with the Government approaches that can be adopted of the Republic of Kiribati In the to incorporate climate change central Pacific, to develop climate- considerations into island related design information to infrastructure such as these assist with land-use planning and causeways. However, given the infrastructure decision-making. current uncertainty over the They also developed spread sheet magnitude of future sea level rise based tools to enable Government (anything between 50 centimetres to staff to access and apply climate a metre or more by the end of this information as they plan for more century) an adaptive management resilient infrastructure such as approach may be most effective – roads, coastal defences, causeways, staging adaptation activities over and stormwater drainage. time in response to improved climate and sea level rise projections. The tools were recently used to help design coastal protection for Making appropriate decisions assets on South Tarawa, and to help demands good information, says set minimum ground levels for a Doug, from both historical climate new residential development at the records and future projections. eastern end of the atoll. His team compiled both to give the Kiribati Government the best Kiribati – a cluster of 32 atolls and possible foundation for future one raised coral island – is one of development. the most vulnerable island nations. Much of the main atoll, Tarawa, “But,” he says, “getting access to is barely half a kilometre wide, good quality data can be a significant and lies just three metres above challenge – particularly when you’re Onotoa Atoll, which illustrates the limited land area and low-lying nature of atolls In Kiribati. (Tony Whincup) sea level. South Tarawa’s high looking at extreme conditions; you population density, socio-economic need at least 30 years of good data to conditions, along with the limited derive some of those extremes.” land area and low-lying land levels, “The tools will be adapted to help with leave it particularly susceptible to “As they develop their development work elsewhere in the maximum height of Kiribati people per square kilometre the impacts of coastal flooding and Pacific” says Doug. “We’re adapting above sea level in the most densely populated climate change. economies, Pacific some of the tools we developed in areas of South Tarawa Kiribati to assess how climate change Island nations must may impact on coastal flooding and plan for the impacts the implications for land-use planning Collaborators in the Cook Islands. of climate change on Secretariat of the Pacific Community Applied Science and Technology Division their infrastructure.” the rise in sea level around the possible increase of wave Doug Ramsay, Funders Manager, Pacific Rim Tarawa since 1974, when volume overtopping the Dia Kiribati Adaption Project Phase 2: funded by the World Bank and Australian and monitoring began Nippon Causeway during a New Zealand Aid Programmes storm in the next 50 years

36 Pacific Rim 37 Te Ku-waha

Ma-tauranga Ma-ori key to understanding our environment

Helping Ma-ori organisations with the management and use of natural resources is a key priority of NIWA’s Ma-ori Environmental Research Centre, Te Ku-waha.

Ma-ori share a unique relationship Nga- Waihotanga Iho with the natural environment. Nga- Waihotanga Iho (what is left As kaitiaki (guardians) of the land behind, lift up) is a toolkit designed and waterways, iwi have informally to help hapu- and iwi measure gathered information about environmental changes in their environmental changes in their - estuaries. Environmental changes rohe (region) for centuries. Maori impacting on an estuary’s health already monitor various attributes include increased water turbidity of the environment, including and sedimentation, loss of species, kaimoana, and apply traditional algal blooms, and contaminated and contemporary management - kaimoana. These changes can actions, such as rahui (temporary have a significant impact on Ma-ori, restrictions). who value estuaries as a source of “Ma-ori knowledge can drive identity and culture, as a place for New Zealand’s environmental learning and recreation, and as a management,” says Te Ku-waha food source. Chief Scientist Dr Charlotte Severne. - - Designed to help iwi monitor the “Matauranga Maori provides us with physical, biological, and chemical detailed information on changes in health of their estuary, Nga- aquatic ecosystems over centuries, Waihotanga Iho is broken into 11 a historical baseline. In turn, we are modules covering a range of topics. able to identify monitoring priorities These include habitat mapping, that can inform management and water and sediment quality, plants, future restoration initiatives.” fish, and coastal management. NIWA has worked closely with iwi, Each module is designed to be used building monitoring tools based on separately or together, depending on ma-tauranga Ma-ori, utilising where the environmental issues in different possible existing technologies to rohe. develop easy-to-use, inexpensive “The toolkit is unique because it toolkits. is based on sound science principles and on Ma-ori values. It has also Dr Rupert Craggs (Principal Scientist, Aquatic Pollution) and Hinearanganui Little (Nga-ti Pu-kenga) testing water salinity at Manaia, Coromandel. (Alastair Jamieson) been translated into te reo, making it more accessible for iwi,” says Group Manager, Coastal and Estuarine Processes, Andrew Swales. Collaborators Nga-ti Hikairo Nga- Waihotanga Iho was completed - Ngati Whanaunga in partnership with Nga-ti Hikairo at - - Kaitiaki Tools active working relationships customary fisheries Ngati Pukenga Kawhia and Nga-ti Whanaunga and - Aranovus Research “Maori knowledge can drive with wha-nau, hapu-, iwi or Ma-ori assessments undertaken Nga- Pu-kenga at Manaia over six Kaitiaki Tools focus on freshwater Department of Conservation organisations in 2010–11 by the Te Ku-waha team years. Detailed interviews, mapping, mahinga kai. The toolkit contains New Zealand’s environmental Waikato Regional Council - - information about the environmental Mansergh Graham Landscape Architects and analysis of matauranga Maori impacts of different land uses and management.” Ministry of Fisheries provided the overarching values, industries on water quality and University of Waikato which in turn directed the Dr Charlotte Severne, Wild Earth Media development of the monitoring mahinga kai. The toolkit helps Chief Scientist, Ma-ori Development modules included in the toolkit. people apply this information to the Funders resource consent process. Ministry of Science and Innovation NIWA staff attended hui and workshops held The toolkit will be used as an - - Ministry for the Environment educational resource and is Kaitiaki Tools is also available from te reo and tikanga Maori noho with Maori partners available from NIWA’s website. the NIWA website. marae training courses

38 Te Ku-waha 39 Vessels

Enhancing New Zealand’s ocean science After a $25 million dollar upgrade to enhance its ocean science and survey capabilities, NIWA’s deepwater research vessel Tangaroa is back on the water again. Tangaroa is New Zealand’s only ice-strengthened research vessel, and is NIWA’s base for major offshore, international science voyages.

Dynamic positioning (DP) exploration industries. It’s a real Tangaroa spent five months advantage to New Zealand that in Singapore being fitted with NIWA can provide these capabilities, a DP2 system, which uses without companies having to look electrically powered thrusters and offshore for foreign vessels to do computerised controls to enable it the job.” to remain on a fixed position, using satellite positioning or transponders Investigating our submarine on the seabed. It also allows the volcanoes vessel to navigate a precise course. One of Tangaroa’s first voyages after DP2 capabilities are essential the upgrade was an international for ocean science and marine collaboration, between GNS Science, operations undertaken by oil, gas, Woods Hole Oceanographic and mineral industries, where new Institution, and NIWA, to investigate technologies often require vessels mineral deposits and hydrothermal to hold a steady position. This includes systems at five major submarine the deployment and use of remotely volcanoes in the Kermadec Arc. operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous Previous research has shown underwater vehicles (AUVs), manned that some of the volcanoes on submarines, seafloor observatories, the Kermadec Arc host extensive and other equipment temporarily polymetallic sulphide deposits. fixed to the seabed, such as seabed One of the aims of this 25-day voyage samplers and rock-coring equipment. was to determine the composition NIWA’s General Manager, Research, and size of these deposits. Some Dr Rob Murdoch, says the upgrade of the volcanoes also have active provides New Zealand with a hydrothermal vent fields, which valuable asset to help advance ocean are home to unique communities science, surveying, and exploration. of animals which thrive in a hot and chemically rich environment. “International demand for research The survey used state-of-the-art and survey vessels with DP2 equipment, including a sophisticated Kareen Schnabel, NIWA capabilities is increasing, especially AUV (called Sentry), and a towed with heightened activity in the digital camera system (TowCam). While Sentry was at work, scientists were able to undertake other activities from Tangaroa, such as “Our deepwater photographic surveys with TowCam, distribution of potential mineral Collaborators dredging for rocks and minerals, resources within the volcanic research vessel GNS Science collecting specimens from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution systems, we are also studying Tangaroa is a national spent on Tangaroa’s upgrade the amount of electrical power National Oceanographic and Atmospheric seafloor, mapping hydrothermal the biodiversity to determine the in 2010 Tangaroa can generate from the Administration (NOAA-USA) plumes, and taking gravity and possible impacts of mining in the asset, helping to new generators University of Tasmania magnetic measurements. These future and whether particularly Australian National University complementary investigations sensitive or unique animals will advance ocean ETH (Switzerland) effectively doubled the productivity of be affected. The collaboration and the voyage. science, surveying, Funders technical capabilities on this voyage Land Information New Zealand Ocean “While the geologists and really gave us a wide spectrum of and exploration.” Survey 20/20 programme geophysicists are improving their information and evidence to make Dr Rob Murdoch, the length of new wiring the weight of Tangaroa’s new GNS Science understanding of the size and future decisions on,” says NIWA NIWA Principal Scientist Dr Malcolm Clark. General Manager, Research installed during the upgrade bow module

40 Vessels 41 Our People Our success is a team effort. In the following pages we celebrate some of the achievements of a few of our staff during 2010–11.

42 Evan Baddock, NIWA Our People 43 Our People

A vital cog Celebrating our greatest asset Transferring technology and knowledge to our customers to help them better manage their lives or their businesses requires science, communications, IT, finance, and many other skills. The project administrators are key elements in this knowledge transfer, and one such person is Christchurch Project Administrator Ruth Cable. Ask people who work closely with Ruth and they will tell you “Ruth is a vital cog in A New Zealand first the wheel”. Ruth manages the administrative side of our projects, from initial set up and contract through to completion, on time and within budget. At present, NIWA It took a truly collaborative team effort by nearly 40 scientists, social scientists, - - has more than 800 environmental science projects on the go, and highly efficient practitioners in matauranga Maori, farming systems specialists, economists, administration is essential. Ruth has excellent relationships with some of NIWA’s engineers, planners, and writers to produce the Waikato River Independent Scoping most important customers, including Meridian Energy. This year she managed about Study – which outlines priority actions the Waikato River Authority might use to forty NIWA projects for Meridian. Ruth says her goal is to enable the scientists to do restore and protect the Waikato River. Led by NIWA scientists Dr Kit Rutherford what they do best by “helping our customers through great science, doing what I do and Dr John Quinn, the study makes 60 recommendations on priority actions the best, managing things behind the scenes.” Authority might use to restore the river, including management of diffuse and point source contaminant sources, lake restoration, and fisheries protection. Ruth Cable NIWA General Manager of Strategy, Dr Bryce Cooper, says the teamwork involved in such a complex study was vital to its development. “This study is nationally Celebrating a 10 year anniversary Maori knowledge and science mix significant because it will guide the most comprehensive co-management agreement 2010 marked a special 10 year NIWA scientist Darren King is an interdisciplinary research scientist, Darren established in New Zealand history between the Crown and iwi to restore and protect anniversary for staff involved in NIWA’s manages the Climate Applications Group based in Auckland and is also a member - the health and wellbeing of a national asset. That’s a first for New Zealand.” Partners biophysical moorings programme. In of the National Climate Centre and NIWA’s Maori Environmental Research Group in the study included AgResearch, Beca, Diffuse Sources Limited, Enveco, Nimmo- mid-February, the 20th voyage since Te Ku-waha. His research interests include climate induced natural hazards, Bell & Company Limited, Market Economics Limited, and Tipa and Associates. 2000 to turn around NIWA’s two deep- ma-tauranga Ma-ori (Ma-ori knowledge) and its relationship with contemporary science, ocean, long time-series biophysical coastal evolution, and tsunami risk. At the moment, Darren is leading research moorings was completed. These - Achieving great heights programmes with iwi and hapu in Manaia, Arowhenua, and Hokianga on climate 3 kilometre long moorings provide change vulnerability and adaptation. Darren says the best part of his job “is working Being precariously perched on a cliff an unprecedented record of physical on the ground with local people on issues that affect well-being and sustainable edge 2000 metres up a mountain above (temperature, salinity, water currents) development. The people I work alongside and get to know are really impressive and Milford Track may not be everyone’s and biogeochemical (downward particle uplifting.” Darren is also working on his doctorate on tsunami risk and disturbance. idea of a good day at the office, but for fluxes) data from the two main surface NIWA hydrologists Evan Baddock and water masses around New Zealand Eric Stevens it comes pretty close to (subantarctic and subtropical). Project perfection. Evan, Eric, and colleagues leader Scott Nodder has been involved from the Department of Conservation from the start, along with team spent two days installing New Zealand’s members Matt Walkington and Lisa highest snow-monitoring station on Northcote. Scott says the highlights are Castle Mount, Fiordland, in March “successfully wrangling the moorings this year. The snow station is part of onboard and getting full data sets off the NIWA’s Snow and Ice Network, which instruments, the oceanic sunsets and gathers information about the extent, sunrises, and the camaraderie onboard seasonal nature, and long-term Tangaroa.” Bad moments, he says, are changes to snow and ice in the alpine rare, but losing an entire mooring in regions of New Zealand. Understanding 2004 was one. “Getting hurled across more about snow levels is essential the mess in rough weather and slicing for hydro-electricity (making up 30 my elbow open was another. It’s a percent of inflows to the South Island pretty hostile environment we work hydro lakes), recreation, tourism, and Enhancing our ocean capabilities in sometimes, but it’s worth it for the hazard risks from avalanches or snow knowledge we gain.” Scott Nodder Darren King building up on buildings. “The views One of this year’s proudest moments was the return of Tangaroa from Singapore were amazing, but safety was a huge in December after completion of a $25 million upgrade to enhance its ocean science and marine survey capabilities. Members of the vessels’ team spent concern. We carried survival gear and A gold medal effort the helicopter stayed with us, so we nearly six months this year living in Singapore, overseeing the upgrade. Tangaroa could leave quickly if the weather closed is New Zealand’s only ice-strengthened research vessel and NIWA’s platform In November, the country’s biggest sporting event since the 1990 Commonwealth in. It’s one of those places you always for national and international science work and survey work for the oil, gas, and Games, the 2010 World Rowing Championships, was held at Lake Karapiro – watch your back,” Evan says. Watch mineral industries. The upgrade included the installation of a dynamic positioning attracting more than 800 athletes from 49 countries. The Championships were a how they did it at: www.youtube.com/ (DP) system, which allows the vessel to remain fixed in a specific position, despite great success, with a record crowd of 66 771 spectators. NIWA played a key role watch?v=CbIu4IyAy8M wind, waves, and currents. No other vessel in New Zealand has the same DP2 by providing localised event forecasting to the World Rowing Federation (FISA) and capabilities. Other improvements included installing new laboratories, upgrading the competitors. NIWA scientist Dr Mike Revell was on site every day at the venue, the air conditioning, refurbishing winches, the galley, and dry stores, installing a new monitoring weather conditions on the course via NIWA’s specialised environmental deepsea winch and bridge wing to view gear deployments, and completely stripping forecasting service EcoConnect. Special mention must be made of environmental and repainting the outside of the vessel. Project manager Allister Taylor and General technician Kerry Costley, who helped install the climate sensors on the lake for Manager Fred Smits spent all six months of the upgrade in Singapore, with a full the event. The aquatic plants team from Hamilton also played a key role in a 4-year Previous pages: NIWA staff installing team of fourteen people there during the final months. “The ST Marine shipyard campaign to reduce water weed interference. Aquatic weeds, particularly hornwort, the snow station on Castle Mount, in Singapore was a very hot, noisy, dusty, and humid place to work, but also very can have a significant impact on rowing regattas, when the weeds get caught around Fiordland (see story above). exciting,” says Fred. “Through a huge team effort, Tangaroa has become an even the rower’s blades (oars) or the boat’s rudder. The work helped make Lake Karapiro (Evan Baddock, NIWA) more fantastic asset to New Zealand’s sciences and offshore industry.” a world-class rowing venue, and will have flow benefits for the hydro-power system.

44 Our People 45 Our People

Our organisation enhancing the benefits of New Zealand’s natural resources

Board of Directors

Chief Executive Officer

Executive Team Helen Neil, Anne-Laure Verdier, Arne Pallentin, John Mitchell, and Kevin Mackay. GM GM GM Chief GM GM GM Strategy Research Operations Financial Human Information Communications Rallying around our people magnitude 3 or more quakes since But it took an exceptional collaborative Officer Resources Technology & Marketing September last year, but all staff effort by members of NIWA’s CANZ NIWA’s Christchurch office was have shown incredible resilience. (Charting around New Zealand) team extremely lucky to escape with only Christchurch staff say Charles, and to bring that undersea environment to minor damage after the devastating Assistant Regional Manager Graham life through the ‘Beneath the Waves’ earthquakes, but staff were not immune Science Operations Fenwick, deserve a special mention for submarine chart collection. The charts Management Team Management Team to their impact. More than half the staff the way they have guided and supported show, for the first time, in incredible suffered issues at their homes. their staff. “Despite all that, we achieved digital detail, the shape of the ocean The Crisis Management Team was an excellent regional result this year. floor and the secrets it holds – including activated immediately, and all staff were You might say they were just doing ridges, plateaus, canyons, tectonic fault Finance & Human Resources Information Communications contacted to check on their safety and All science, technical, & field teams their job, but the circumstances were systems, sand waves, ship wrecks, and Administration team team Technology team & Marketing team their properties. Washing machines exceptional,” one team member said. landslides. Details for the charts were and dryers were purchased and set up captured by the highly skilled team using on site to help staff who were without a high-tech multibeam echosounder power or water, and teams got together Charting our undersea mounted on the hull of Tangaroa. The to help dig out staff properties affected environment As at 30 June 2011 NIWA had 671 staff charts were also a finalist in the 2011 by liquefaction. NIWA’s offices were For three decades, marine scientists Wellington Gold Awards ‘Discovering also opened to other organisations, have been studying the seafloor of Bream Bay 24 Gold’ section – which focuses on like the University of Canterbury and Wellington Harbour and Cook Strait technological, scientific, and innovative Environment Canterbury, displaced to understand the processes that Auckland 77 research and development in Wellington. by the earthquakes. As Christchurch shape it and how they might impact on Hamilton 121 Regional Manager Charles Pearson recreation, fisheries, hazard risks, and points out, there have been over 2000 electricity infrastructure on the seabed. Rotorua 5

Turangi 3

Napier 2 A fallen giant – Bob McDowall, 1939–2011 Wanganui 3 Robert (Bob) McDowall was a widely published author and acknowledged world authority on the taxonomy and biogeography of New Zealand’s freshwater fish. Wellington 250 During his 40-year career with the Marine Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Nelson 19 Fisheries, and NIWA, Bob wrote 230 papers (in 66 different journals), 14 books, and Greymouth 5 300+ reports and popular articles on freshwater fish. Another significant contribution of Bob’s work was the establishment of the New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database Christchurch 117 in 1979. This database now contains over 30 000 records of species and their habitats, and has formed the basis of many scientific papers on the distributions and habitat Tekapo 2 use of native and introduced fish by Bob and others. Prior to his untimely death in Lauder 15 February this year, Bob had also just finished an extensive (872 page) book on historic - Alexandra 4 and contemporary Maori freshwater fisheries – ‘Ikawai – Freshwater fishes in Perth, Aus 16 Ma-ori culture and economy’ which will be published in October 2011. Bob was made a fellow of the New Zealand Royal Society in 1984 and an honorary member of the Dunedin 8 New Zealand Limnological Society in 2000. NIWA colleague Don Jellyman said of Bob: “Ma-ori have a saying that when a respected person dies, a giant tree has fallen in the forest, but its falling makes space for new growth. Bob was that giant in freshwater fisheries. His legacy lives on in his writings and the many students and researchers who are able to build on his scientific discoveries.”

46 Our People 47 Our People

Board of Directors Executive Team

Dr Wendy Lawson John Morgan Jason Shoebridge Rob Murdoch Kate Thomson Bryce Cooper Dr Wendy Lawson is a glaciologist with a Chief Executive Officer Jason Shoebridge is the Managing Director of General Manager, Research Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary General Manager, Strategy particular interest in the impacts of climate John joined NIWA as CEO in April 2007. He has TNS New Zealand. Jason has led consulting Rob has a PhD in marine science from the Kate is a Chartered Accountant with a BCom Bryce has a PhD in microbiology and is a graduate change and earth systems. She has more than extensive senior executive and governance assignments across a range of industries and University of Otago and has specialist interests in from Canterbury University. An experienced of the London Business School Senior Executive 25 years of remote field science experience experience in the science sector, including as disciplines in New Zealand and overseas. Prior oceanography and marine ecology. He manages Chief Financial Officer, she held similar roles Programme. He has held research leader and in Arctic, Antarctic, and alpine regions. She is CEO of AgriQuality Ltd, Executive Director of to his consulting career, Jason held number of NIWA’s relationship with the Ministry of Science in the commercial sector, joining NIWA in 2006. regional manager roles in NIWA, and currently Dean of Science and Professor at the University Orica New Zealand Ltd, and Chair of New Zealand senior commercial and financial management and Innovation, and has overseen the planning Previously she advised a range of businesses on oversees NIWA’s strategy development, including of Canterbury, and serves on the Board of the Pharmaceuticals Ltd. John is passionate about roles internationally and in New Zealand in large and direction of NIWA’s science and research key commercial matters and was also a Policy initiatives to transfer research to end-users and Antarctic Research Centre at Victoria University. the role science can play in transforming corporates, as well as with an international vessels since 1999. Analyst with Treasury. Kate is a past member of the building of partnerships with businesses and New Zealand’s economy, society, and global chartered accounting firm. the Financial Reporting Standards Board (FRSB). central and local government. Mary-Anne Dehar Dr Helen Anderson reputation. General Manager, Human Resources Arian de Wit Barry Biggs (from July 2011) Helen Robinson Chris Mace Mary-Anne joined NIWA in March 2008. General Manager, Information Technology General Manager, Operations Helen Anderson is a board member of DairyNZ Helen was the founding CEO of TZ1 Registry, Chairman She has a PhD in psychology and is a registered Arian has an MSc (Hons) in software engineering Barry is an environmental scientist with degrees and FulbrightNZ. She was Chief Executive of the acquired by London-based Markit Group Ltd Chris Mace is an Auckland-based businessman. psychologist, specialising in industrial/ from the University of Waikato, and a in geology and botany from Victoria University Ministry of Research, Science and Technology for in June 2009. Helen continued to act as Global He chaired the Crown Research Institute ESR organisational psychology. Before joining NIWA, Postgraduate Diploma in management studies. of Wellington and a PhD in stream ecology from six years, preceded by six years as Chief Scientific Managing Director, Environmental Markets in the 1990s and later Antarctica New Zealand. Mary-Anne worked as a senior human resources He joined NIWA in 1995 and became General the University of Canterbury. His research fields Adviser. Most recently she has reviewed the until April 2011. Helen has led many technology He was a founding trustee of the Sir Peter Blake consultant for 15 years, both in private practice Manager for IT in 2007. Arian and the IT group include the effects of hydropower development Defence Technology Agency and been a member companies over the past 20 years, including as Trust and continues as a trustee of the Antarctic and for several large consulting firms. strive to ensure that NIWA’s information and on river ecosystems, environmental hydrology of the Ministerial inquiry into the collapse of CEO of Microsoft, NZ and as Vice President of Heritage Trust. Chris was awarded a CNZM for technology infrastructure can readily adapt to and ecohydraulics, eutrophication of lakes and Christchurch CBD buildings. She is a seismologist APAC, Pivotal Corporation. Her directorships services to Antarctica and the community and was Geoff Baird NIWA’s ever-changing science and organisational rivers, stream periphyton ecology, and freshwater by training and regularly speaks to lay audiences include NZ Business Excellence Foundation. appointed Chairman of NIWA in July 2009. General Manager, Communications & Marketing needs. bioinvasions. He was appointed General Manager, about recent earthquakes. Geoff has a BSc (Hons) in ecology from Victoria Operations in July 2008. John Morgan Ed Johnson Craig Ellison University of Wellington. He has more than 25 years’ experience in science publishing and Chief Executive Officer Ed Johnson, FInstD, is Chair of Fulton Hogan Ltd, Deputy Chairman communication with the Ministry of Agriculture & John joined NIWA as CEO in April 2007. He has Goldpine Industries Ltd, Indevin Ltd, and Port Craig Ellison is a director on several boards, Fisheries, MAF Fisheries, and NIWA. He became extensive senior executive and governance Marlborough New Zealand Ltd, and a director including New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, NIWA’s Communications Manager in 2003 and experience in public and private sector of several entities. He retired as Chairman and as well as chairing the New Zealand Seafood General Manager, Communications & Marketing organisations covering a range of markets and CFO of Shell New Zealand in 2002. In 2001, Ed Standards Council. Dunedin born and bred, in July 2007. activities including business, science, education became the inaugural Honorary Fellow of Massey Craig now lives in Wellington, but also has and sport. His science sector roles have included University’s Centre for Business and Sustainable commercial interests in Australia. He was deeply - Chairman of Science New Zealand, CEO of Development and was made a Fellow of the involved in the settlement of Maori commercial Agriquality Ltd, Executive Director of Orica New Zealand Institute of Directors in 2003. fisheries claims, and maintains an interest in Ma-ori governance structures and resource New Zealand Ltd, and Chairman of New Zealand management. Pharmaceuticals Ltd. John is passionate about the role science can play in transforming New Zealand’s economy, environment, society, and global reputation.

48 Our People 49 Our People

Science Management Team Operations Management Team

Clive Howard-Williams Barb Hayden David Wratt Chief Scientist, Freshwater & Coasts Chief Scientist, Aquatic Biodiversity & Biosecurity Chief Scientist, Climate Clive is an aquatic ecologist with a PhD from Barb holds a PhD in marine biology and has a David has a PhD in atmospheric physics and has the University of London. He has specialised in research background in marine biosecurity and in worked in the USA, Australia, and New Zealand research on water quality, lakes, and wetlands the environmental sustainability of aquaculture. on climate and meteorology. He is also the and has worked in a number of countries. He is She leads NIWA’s aquatic biodiversity and Director of the New Zealand Climate Change a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, an biosecurity research and is also the Deputy Chair Centre, a Companion of the Royal Society of Adjunct Professor at the University of Canterbury, of the Biosecurity Ministerial Advisory Committee. New Zealand, a member of the Royal Society’s Ken Becker, Auckland & Bream Bay Julie Hall, Wellington Graham Fenwick, Christchurch and holder of the New Zealand Antarctic Medal. New Zealand Climate Expert Panel, and a Ken Becker is currently the Regional Manager Assistant RM Assistant RM Jochen Schmidt member of the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Chief Scientist, Environmental Information at NIWA Auckland and Bream Bay Aquaculture Julie is a marine and freshwater biologist with Graham is an ecologist and crustacean Andrew Forsythe Panel on Climate Change. Chief Scientist, Aquaculture & Biotechnology Jochen holds a PhD in geography from the Park. He has 30 years’ experience in marine a PhD from the University of Manitoba, Canada. systematist with 30 years’ research and Andrew Forsythe is a veterinarian with a DVM University of Bonn and has a background in Fred Smits science. Before joining NIWA in 2005, he worked She has spent 20 years with the DSIR and then consulting experience on the biodiversity of from the University of Prince Edward Island. hydrology, geomorphology, soil science, and Manager, Marine Resources for Auckland Regional Council on resource NIWA, specialising in phytoplankton, microbial shallow marine and groundwater ecosystems. He came to NIWA in 2005 with more than 20 years hazards and risk assessment. He joined NIWA Fred is a geotechnical engineer with an ME from management regulation, planning and policy food web, and zooplankton studies. She joined the He has a PhD and Dip. BA from the University of aquaculture industry experience from North in 2003 and has been recently appointed to the University of Auckland. He has worked in development in water quality, wastewater Operations Management Team in July 2008. of Canterbury, and joined the Operations America and Europe, and took up his current role coordinate NIWA’s systems for collecting, many countries as a contracts manager for major treatment, stormwater management, and water Management Team in 2006. Andrew Laing, Wellington in 2007. managing, and delivering environmental onshore and offshore civil engineering projects. resource allocation. Andrew is a marine meteorologist and physical information to ensure they are robust and meet Fred joined NIWA in 1994 as marine business David Roper, Hamilton oceanographer with a PhD in fluid mechanics Murray Poulter best practice standards. development manager. Between 2004 and 2010 Chief Scientist, Atmosphere, from the University of Canterbury. He had Fred was in charge of NIWA’s research vessels, David has a PhD in marine science from the Natural Hazards, & Energy more than 20 years’ experience with the NZ Rosemary Hurst Tangaroa and Kaharoa, and is currently General University of Otago. He has worked as an Murray has a PhD in physics and worked in Meteorological Service, in the UK, and at NIWA, Chief Scientist, Fisheries Manager Marine Business Services. environmental scientist for the past 30 years, Europe on wave propagation in the atmosphere Rosemary has a PhD in zoology and has worked specialising in environmental impact assessment before becoming Wellington’s Operations and space. He worked in New Zealand, Canada, in fisheries research in New Zealand since 1979. Alan Grey and resource management with NIWA and then Manager in 2000. the USA, and Antarctica on radar methods to She is a specialist in middle depth and inshore Manager, MSI Research ECNZ (later Mighty River Power), before returning Ken Grange, Nelson determine the role of ocean waves in coastal and fisheries resources surveys and stock assessment, Alan holds an MSc in geology and has a to NIWA as a Regional Manager in 2002. air-sea interaction processes, before taking on a climate effects on fisheries, and fish communities. background in ecology and fluid dynamics. Ken is a marine ecologist with a PhD in marine management role in NIWA. She was also a Regional Manager at NIWA He has extensive experience in research Charles Pearson, Christchurch & Lauder ecology from Florida International University. He initially researched the marine environment in Wellington for eight years. administration and science and technology Charles is a hydrologist with a BSc (Hons) from Charlotte Severne NZ fiords, particularly the ecology of black corals, - programme evaluation. He oversees NIWA’s the University of Canterbury and an MSc (Hons) Chief Scientist, Maori & Oceans Douglas Ramsay with the Oceanographic Institute, DSIR, and then - - obligations to government-funding agencies from the National University of Ireland. He Tenei te mihi manahau o NIWA ki nga iwi huri Manager, Pacific Rim NIWA, in Wellington, before moving to Nelson as - as well as the impact of its research in providing specialises in the analysis of hydrological and noa i te motu. Ko Charlotte Severne toku Doug has degrees in Civil and Water Engineering, Regional Manager in 1994. - - - - benefit to New Zealand. other geophysical and climate data for purposes ingoa. He uri tenei no Ngati Tuwharetoa me an MBA, and is a Chartered Engineer. He joined NIWA - - - such as estimating flood risks. He is a member of Ngai Tuhoe. Heoi ano he Tumu Whakarae ahau in 2003 and specialises in coastal hazard management. Greg Foothead - - - - - NZ’s Hydrological and Meteorological Societies mo nga turanga e rua o roto o NIWA, ara, tetehi Doug coordinates NIWA’s international commercial General Manager, Vessel Operations - - - - - and is the World Meteorological Organization’s mo te whanaketanga Maori me tetehi atu mo nga work focusing on the Pacific and Asia regions. Greg is a certified Automotive Engineer and - - - Hydrological Adviser for New Zealand. rangahau o te moana. Naku i whakahaere to ma holds an NZCE (Mechanical). Before joining - - tou nei roopu rangahau putaiao Maori e kiia nei ko Mark Bojesen-Trepka NIWA Vessels as Engineering Manager in 2004, - - - - Te Kuwaha. No reira tena koutou katoa. Manager, Marketing & Industry Engagement he managed a marine and industrial supply and Mark is a career industrial marketer. He has led repair company. He also worked for Mitsubishi the marketing, technology transfer, and business Motors, in various technical roles, in NZ, development effort for a number of industrial firms Australia, and Europe. Greg has been in charge in a range of industry sectors in New Zealand and of NIWA’s research vessels Tangaroa, Kaharoa, abroad. Mark has a Bachelor of Social Science, and Ikatere since December 2010. an MBA, and a PhD on marketing’s role in technology transfer. 50 Our People 51 Directory

National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd

Directors Executive Team Science Management Team Operations Management Team Registered Office Regional Offices Christopher Mace (Chairman) John Morgan, [email protected] Andrew Forsythe, [email protected] Ken Becker, [email protected] 41 Market Place Bream Bay Aquaculture Park Chief Executive Officer Chief Scientist, Aquaculture & Regional Manager, Auckland & Bream Bay Auckland Central 1010 Station Road, Ruakaka 0116 Craig Ellison (Deputy Chairman) Biotechnology New Zealand PO Box 147, Ruakaka 0151 Geoff Baird, [email protected] Dr Graham Fenwick, [email protected] Dr Helen Anderson (appointed 1 July 2011) Tel +64-9-432 5500 General Manager, Communications Dr Barb Hayden, [email protected] Assistant Regional Manager, Christchurch Fax +64-9-432 5501 Dennis Cairns (resigned 30 June 2011) & Marketing Chief Scientist, Aquatic Biodiversity & Biosecurity Dr Ken Grange, [email protected] Auditors Auckland Ed Johnson Dr Barry Biggs, [email protected] Regional Manager, Nelson 41 Market Place, Auckland Central 1010 General Manager, Operations Dr Clive Howard-Williams, Deloitte on behalf of the Auditor-General Dr Julie Hall, [email protected] Private Bag 99940 Dr Wendy Lawson [email protected] Newmarket, Auckland 1149 Dr Bryce Cooper, [email protected] Chief Scientist, Freshwater & Coasts Assistant Regional Manager, Wellington Helen Robinson General Manager, Strategy Tel +64-9-375 2050 Dr Rosemary Hurst, [email protected] Dr Andrew Laing, [email protected] Bankers Fax +64-9-375 2051 Jason Shoebridge Dr Mary-Anne Dehar, [email protected] Chief Scientist, Fisheries Regional Manager, Wellington General Manager, Human Resources ANZ National Bank of NZ Limited Hamilton Dr Murray Poulter, [email protected] Charles Pearson, [email protected] Gate 10, Silverdale Road, Arian de Wit, [email protected] Chief Scientist, Atmosphere, Natural Regional Manager, Christchurch & Lauder Hillcrest, Hamilton 3216 General Manager, Information Technology Hazards, & Energy Solicitors PO Box 11115, Hillcrest, Hamilton 3251 Dr David Roper, [email protected] Tel +64-7-856 7026 Dr Rob Murdoch, [email protected] Regional Manager, Hamilton Dr Jochen Schmidt, [email protected] Bell Gully Fax +64-7-856 0151 General Manager, Research Chief Scientist, Environmental Information Aitken Holm Joseph Majurey Ltd Wellington Kate Thomson, [email protected] Dr Charlotte Severne, 301 Evans Bay Parade, Chief Financial Officer & [email protected] Greta Point, Wellington 6021 Company Secretary Chief Scientist, Ma-ori & Oceans Insurance Broker Private Bag 14901, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6241 Marsh Limited Dr David Wratt, [email protected] Tel +64-4-386 0300 Chief Scientist, Climate Fax +64-4-386 0574 Dr Mark Bojesen-Trepka, Head Office Nelson [email protected] 217 Akersten St, Port Nelson 7010 Manager, Marketing & Industry NIWA’s Ma-ori name Taihoro Nukurangi 41 Market Place PO Box 893, Nelson 7040 Engagement describes our work as studying the waterways Auckland Central 1010 Tel +64-3-548 1715 and the interface between the Earth and the sky. Greg Foothead, [email protected] Private Bag 99940 Fax +64-3-548 1716 Newmarket, Auckland 1149 General Manager, Vessel Operations Christchurch Taihoro is the flow and movement of water New Zealand 10 Kyle Street, (from tai ‘coast, tide’, and horo which means Alan Grey, [email protected] Tel +64-9-375 2050 Riccarton, Christchurch 8011 ‘fast moving’). Manager, MSI Research Fax +64-0-375 2051 P O Box 8602, Christchurch 8440 Nukurangi is the interface between the sea and Douglas Ramsay, [email protected] Tel +64-3-348 8987 the sky (i.e., the atmosphere). Manager, Pacific Rim Fax +64-3-348 5548

Together, we have taken it to mean Fred Smits, [email protected] Lauder (Central Otago) ‘where the waters meet the sky’. Manager, Marine Resources State Highway 85, Lauder, Central Otago 9320 Private Bag 50061, Omakau 9352, Tel +64-3-440 0055 This ‘Year in Review’ is a companion volume to This document has been printed using mineral- Fax +64-3-447 3348 NIWA’s official Annual Report 2011. free inks on 9lives which is manufactured using Unidata Pty Ltd That report, including full financials and other FSC Certified Mixed Source, ECF pulp from General Manager: Matt Saunders statutory reporting, is available at Well Managed and Legally Harvested Forests. 40 Ladner Street, www.niwa.co.nz/pubs/ar or request Produced under the strict environmental O’Connor, WA 6163 a hard copy through [email protected] management system ISO 14001 which has AUSTRALIA established performance objectives and Tel +61-8-9331 8600 For enquiries, contact Greta Shirley, environmental management systems to prevent Communications Manager, Fax +61-8-9331 8611 pollution, ensure compliance with regulations, www.unidata.com.au [email protected] and achieve continual improvement. www.niwa.co.nz

52 Directory 53 enhancing the benefits of New Zealand’s natural resources