The 2027 annual conference will be held in Kirikiriroa | Hamilton
29th June – 1st July 2027
Conference website and updates will be posted here
The Annual NZMSS Conference
Future Conferences
2027 – Hamilton
2028 – Potential for a mixed-society meeting
If you are interested in hosting a conference, please contact us at secretary@nzmss.org
Recent Conferences
2026
Invercargill
“Wild South | Biodiversity, Blue Economies and Beyond”
Environment Southland hosted the 2026 annual New Zealand Marine Sciences Society conference at the in Waihōpai Invercargill which ran from the 1st – 3rd July. The theme of this conference was “Wild South: Biodiversity, Blue Economies and Beyond.” – Set against Southland’s unique and dynamic marine environment, the conference will explore how science, policy/society, and innovation intersect to sustain our coastal and ocean ecosystems.
The conference was opened with keynote presentations from Professor James Bell (Te Herenga Waka, Victoria Univeristy of Wellington), Dr. Jenni Stanley (University of Waikato) and previous NZMSS Award Winner Di Tracey (Earth Sciences New Zealand) who discussed the importance of mesophotic communities, the application of acoustics in marine science, and reflections of an impressive career in science throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Featuring a VR session run by the BLAKE programme and over 80 oral presentations and 20 posters were presented in sessions covering Restoration Ecology, Climate change impacts, Aquaculture, Policy and planning, Soft Sediment ecology and everything in between. Dr. Scott Nodder (Earth Sciences New Zealand) took home the Matai Moana Award, and student prizes were awarded to Liz Cornelissen, Emily Williams, Felix Borrowdale, Jemma Bezuidenhout, Kathryn Scafidi, Gabriela Wood, Ash Heaphy, Barbara Graham and Miriam Pierotti, and the coveted Battle of the Labs award going to University of Otago. Special thanks to the conference sponsor supporters ESNZ, Boxfish Robotics, PDP, Sequench, FNZ, Ocean Wolf, University of Auckland, Top of the North Marine Biosecurity Partnership, Bioeconomy Science Institute, Great South, Tohu Environmental and Potton & Burton.
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
Past Conferences
2021 –
2023 – Wellington
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