The 2026 annual conference will be held in Invercargill
More information coming soon!
The Annual NZMSS Conference
Future Conferences
2026 – Invercargill
2027 – Inviting expressions of interest (North Island)
If you are interested in hosting a conference, please contact us at secretary@nzmss.org
Recent Conferences
2025
Blenheim
“He Tai Pari | The Rising Tide”
The Marlborough District Council hosted the 2025 annual New Zealand Marine Sciences Society conference in Te Waiharakeke Blenheim which ran from the 7th – 1th July. The theme of this conference was He Tai Pari, The Rising Tide – As the sea surges towards the shore, we too must join the rising tide, working together to bring about a better future for our marine environment. The conference was opened with an address from Mayor Nadine Taylor, and keynote presentations from Raymond Smith (Ngāti Kuia, Rangitāne, Ngāti Apa, Rongomaiwahine) and Professor Kura Paul-Burke (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Whakahemo, Ngāti Mākino, Ngāti Pūkeko, Irish, University of Waikato), and concluded with presentations from Professor Abby Smith (University of Otago) and Dan Hikuroa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngaati Whanaunga, Ngāti Mahuta, Pākehā), who all presented on the importance of understanding and connecting with our marine environment to manage ongoing and future impacts. 95 oral presentations and 20 posters were presented in sessions covering Climate Change, Blue Carbon Ecosystems, Anthropogenic Impacts, Restoration, Aquaculture, Soft Sediment ecology and everything in between, as well as a panel discussion addressing Marine Education across the Motu.
2024
Hobart, Tasmania
“Navigating uncertainty for a future sustainable ocean”
The annual conference in 2024 was held jointly with the Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) in Hobart, Tasmania from 15-20th September.
Read a review from Bob Hickman here: Bob Hickman’s conference recollections
2023
Wellington
“Reconnecting… people and science”
The University of Wellington hosted the 2023 New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Conference in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington which ran from the 26th – 28th of June. The conference was opened with presentations from Lee Rauhina-August and Mark Fenwick (Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika), Hon Rachel Brooking (Minister for Oceans and Fisheries) and Prof Louise Dixson (Dean of Science, Te Herenga Waka) along with plenary talks from Linda Faulkner and Saskia Foreman, who all contributed inspirational and thought-provoking perspectives. The engaging oral presentations and posters covered a broad range of topics, including Anthropogenic Impacts, Blue Carbon, Algae, Aquaculture, Fisheries, Marine Heatwaves, Oceanography, Risk and Uncertainty, Marine Management, Tropical, Deep Sea and Soft Sediment Ecosystems, Marine Mammals and Birds, Genetics and Taxonomy. These, in addition to the stimulating discussions and networking opportunities aplenty, rendered the conference an all-round success leaving participants energized and empowered.
Past Conferences
2021 –
2022 – Auckland, a joint meeting with NZFSS
2021 – Tauranga
2001 – 2020
2020 – Sydney, a joint meeting with AMSA (cancelled due to COVID-19)
2019 – Dunedin
2018 – Napier
2017 – Christchurch
2016 – Wellington, a joint meeting with AMSA
2015 – Auckland, a joint meeting with OCS
2014 – Nelson
2013 – Hamilton, a joint meeting with NZFSS
2012 – Hobart, Tasmania, a joint meeting with AMSA
2011 – Stewart Island/Rakiura
2010 – Wellington, 50th Anniversary Jubilee!
2009 – Auckland, a joint meeting with METSOC
2008 – Christchurch, a joint meeting with AMSA
2007 – Hamilton
2006 – Nelson
2005 – Wellington, a joint meeting with ICMB and MARGINS
2004 – Dunedin
2003 – Auckland, a joint meeting with ASPAB
2002 – Nelson
2001 – Townsville, a joint meeting with AMSA
1981-2000
2000 – Hamilton
1999 – Wellington
1998 – Dunedin, a joint meeting with ASPAB
1997 – Auckland, a joint meeting with AMSA
1996 – Christchurch
1995 – Wellington
1994 – Hamilton, a joint meeting with LIMSOC
1993 – Nelson, a joint meeting with MESA NZ and Aquaculture NZ Seminar
1992 – Dunedin
1991 – Wellington
1990 – Hamilton, a joint meeting with NZOWS
1989 – Wellington
1988 – Auckland, a joint meeting with NZOWS
1987 – Dunedin, a joint meeting with OUMSS
1986 – Wellington
1985 – Christchurch
1984 – Nelson, a joint meeting with NZES
1983 – Auckland
1982 – Wellington
1981 – Mount Maunganui
1960-1980
1980 – Wellington
1979 – Tutukaka (January), a joint meeting with AMSA, and Wellington (August)
1978 – Dunedin, a joint meeting with LIMSOC
1977 – Christchurch
1976 – Wellington
1975 – Nelson, a joint meeting with NZES
1974 – Portobello (February) and Wellington (August)
1973 – Wellington
1972 – Christchurch
1971 – Leigh (February) and Wellington (August)
1970 – Portobello (February) and Wellington (August)
1969 – Wellington
1968 – Kaikoura (January) and Wellington (August)
1967 – Leigh (February) and Wellington (August)
1966 – Kaikoura (February) and Wellington (August)
1965 – Auckland, a joint meeting with NZSC
1963 – Wellington
1962 – Christchurch, a joint meeting with NZSC
1961 – Wellington
1960 – Wellington, a joint meeting with NZSC
Abbreviations
AMSA – Australian Marine Sciences Association
ASPAB – Australasian Society for Phycology and Aquatic Botany
Aquaculture NZ – Aquaculture New Zealand
ICMB – International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions
MARGINS – a research initiative supported by the US National Science Foundation (now GeoPRISMS – Geodynamic Processes at Rifting and Subducting Margins)
METSOC – Meteorological Society of New Zeland
MESA NZ – Marine Education Society of Australasia, New Zealand Branch
LIMSOC – New Zealand Limnological Society (now NZFSS – New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society)
NZES – New Zealand Ecological Society
NZOWS – New Zealand Ocean Waves Society (now merged with NZCS – New Zealand Coastal Society)
NZSC – New Zealand Science Congress
OUMSS – University of Otago Marine Science Symposium