Ngā Kōrero: Ocean-related Webinars and Events

This six-part series, supported by a National Commission grant as well as the Live Ocean Charitable Trust, was designed to inspire learning, highlight the importance of our marine environment and encourage a deeper understanding of topics related to marine science in Aotearoa New Zealand. It included three in-person events, along with three on-line webinars each with a specific theme.

Topics for the 2025 event and webinar series were:

• World Ocean Day Celebration
• Vulnerable Ecosystems: the significance of marine protection
• Citizen Science at Long Bay
• Taking Action: inspiring community stories
• Blue Connections
• Ocean Stewardship in the Pacific

This event saw participants join a guided intertidal exploration, participate in a bioblitz using iNaturalist, and engage in water activities (paddling and swimming) followed by a series of short inspiring films.

This webinar saw guest speakers explore the unique biodiversity of three marine ecosystems and the positive impacts of marine protection.

• The Ross Sea - Dr. Svenja Halfter (NIWA)
• Fiordland Marine Area - Mr. Richard Kinsey (Department of Conservation)
• Temperate Reefs - Dr. Nick Shears (University of Auckland)

Held during Conservation Week this event was a hands-on citizen science session which included Strem monitoring and conducting a litter intelligence survey. This event was held in association with Wai Care and Sustainable Coastline.

This webinar provided insight into how communities are getting involved in monitoring their local marine environment. Four guest speakers shared their experience with blending community engagement & data collection.

A film and beach event designed to share how the ocean can influence wellness and wellbeing. The short film discussed blue mind theory, the multisensory ways people can connect with the ocean and environment, and personal recounts to how ocean swimming/immersion can influence mental health and offer other benefits. This was followed by a mindful sensory awareness activity and a step-by-step immersion into the ocean.

This webinar explored the significance of intertwining Indigenous knowledge & values with the community's needs to achieve positive outcomes for the marine environment. The session shared insight into traditional views of our relationship to the ocean as well as kōrero about the power of the ocean and provided insight into the process of establishing a large Marine Protection Area in the Cook Islands.