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.

Conference Handbook 2021

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.

Conference Handbook 2019

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.

Conference Handbook 2018