Conference
The conference will be hosted by Auckland University of Technology (AUT). The conference organising committee has been formed and they are starting to plan out the conference. We will circulate further details on the conference theme when these are confirmed. Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at the conference.
We are also inviting expressions of interest to host the upcoming 2023 conference!!
- 2023 Inviting expressions of interest
- 2024 Joint conference with the Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA)
- 2025 Proposal has been put forward to hold it in Kaikoura/Marlborough
If you are interested in hosting a conference, please contact us at secretary@nzmss.org
Recent Conferences
2021
Tauranga Moana
“Titiro whakamuri, kōkiri whakamua”
The University of Waikato hosted the 2021 New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Conference in Tauranga Moana. The conference was held from 5-8 July at the University’s new campus in the Tauranga CBD. The conference was very successful with 475 delegates from NZMSS, with delegates represented from 16 iwi and 98 international agencies. The theme of the conference was “Titiro whakamuri, kōkiri whakamua: Looking back, to move forward.” Our plenary speakers included Reon Tuanau (Ngai te Rangi), Jack Thatcher (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti), Raewyn Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Makino, Ngāti Whakaue), Te Kaha Hawaikirangi (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu), Herearoha Skipper (Ngāti Hako, Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Tara Tokanui Tawhaki, Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāpuhi), Tina Ngata (Ngāti Porou), and Te Rerekohu Tuterangiwhiu (Ngāpuhi, Ngāruahinerangi, Ngāti-Māhanga, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti-Porou), who all provided thought-provoking and motivating perspectives to this theme. There were 249 oral presentations and 62 posters, covering a broad range of topics, including special sessions on MNZ/MoT Green Shipping, Sustainable seas, Underwater Drones, Marine Science in Media, Improving Ocean Literary. There was also a workshop on Science Diving OH&S Workplace Health & Safety CoC updates and a public lecture on aquaculture futures. Major outcomes of the meeting highlighted the ecology and bioindustry of seaweed science, research towards a sustainable Blue Economy, overall innovation for marine science, and that research on marine climate change effects and mitigation are priorities.
2019
Dunedin
“Our Changing Oceans”
A Joint Meeting with the Oceania Chondrichthyan Society
The University of Otago hosted the 2019 New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Conference with the Oceania Chondrichthyan Society (OCS) in Dunedin. The conference was held from 2-5 July at the University’s Dunedin campus. The conference was very successful with 251 delegates from NZMSS and 20 delegates from OCS, including 109 students. The theme of the conference was “Our Changing Oceans”, reflecting the need to better understand how our oceans are responding to anthropogenic impacts and how best to manage such impacts. Our plenary speakers included Edward Ellison (Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu), Hon Eugenie Sage (Minister of Conservation), Dr Judi Hewitt (University of Auckland/NIWA), Dr Madeline Green (IMAS) and Irene Middleton (Massey University), who all provided thought-provoking and motivating perspectives to this theme. There were 180 presentations covering a broad range of topics, including special sessions on Marine biosecurity, Engagement between marine science and government agencies – climate change, and Munida time series.
2018
Napier
“Weaving the Strands”
The Auckland University of Technology hosted the 2018 New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Conference in Napier. The conference was held from 3-5 July at the Napier Conference Centre. The conference was very successful with 222 delegates, including 66 students. The theme of the conference was “Weaving the Strands” and focused on how marine science may need to evolve to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Our plenary speakers, James Palmer (CE Hawke’s Bay Regional Council), Dr Paula Blackett (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research), Dr Karin Bryan (University of Waikato), Dr Melissa Foley (Auckland Council) and Gabby O’Connor (University of Auckland/NIWA), who all provided thought-provoking and motivating perspectives to this theme. Conference talks covered a broad range of topics, including sessions on the Sustainable Seas, Kaikōura earthquake, metagenomics, marine biosecurity, marine mammals, aquaculture, state of our marine environment, emerging contaminants, changing coasts and oceans, science in society, fishing for the future and technology.
Past Conferences
2015-2020
2020 – Sydney, a joint meeting with AMSA (cancelled due to COVID-19)
2017 – Christchurch
2016 – Wellington, a joint meeting with AMSA
2015 – Auckland, a joint meeting with OCS
2010-2014
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!
2005-2009
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
1990-2004
2004 – Dunedin
2003 – Auckland, a joint meeting with ASPAB
2002 – Nelson
2001 – Townsville, a joint meeting with AMSA
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
1975-1989
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
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
1960-1974
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