Research & Monitoring

We aim to build positive connections between kaitiaki and scientists, for the benefit of both. To do so, we facilitate research on tool development and projects that support communities in their journeys towards resource management.

Scroll down to view brief overview of some of our research, the details and motivations behind this work and how communities use this information/data collection to support local management initiatives.

East Otago Taiāpure

Over 30 postgraduate students have completed degrees within East Otago Taiāpure (PhD, Masters, Honours)
Permanent transects have been established since 2008 and are for ongoing pāua and habitat monitoring
Scientific support for East Otago Taiāpure Management Committee since 2007
Pāua growth, reproductive output, and genetics research, and fisheries habitat surveys since 2007
Support provided for Environment Court Action by East Otago Taiāpure against disposal of dredge spoil, 2007
He Pataka Wai Ora Project; monitoring and management of the Waikouaiti River since 2015
Pāua reseeding & pāua translocation research and support since 2010
University of Otago Marine Science & Physical Education Annual Field Courses
Ongoing Undaria pinnatifida research and control programmes

Koukourārata Mātaitai

Ecosystem health survey completed in 2010
Baseline Kaimoana surveys completed (paua, kina, mussels etc.)
Research on pāua growth
Water quality sampling
Interviews of Kaitiaki

Te Punawai o Tōriki Mātaitai

Baseline Kaimoana surveys (paua, kina, mussels etc.) completed in 2008
Research on pāua growth
Water quality sampling
Baseline pāua survey completed in 2012
Pāua reseeding undertaken in 2013

Te Whaka a Te Wera Mātaitai

Pāua and habitat surveys completed in 2015
Customary scallop fishery surveys completed in 2013
Scallop and epibenthic predator surveys completed as a student project in 2014
Scallop movement studies commpleted as a student project in 2014
Monthly bivalve larvae recruitment monitoring completed as a student project form 2014 to 2015
Rock lobster population surveys, 2019
Scientific advisor to managers
Reporting hui to management committee 2015

Will Rayment during a dive survey looking at densities of scallops 2013.

Waitutu Mātaitai

Baseline pāua and habitat survey of proposed Mātaitai in 2010
Ongoing pāua surveys (most recent survey in 2026)
Scientific advisor to managers

Oreti Beach

Toheroa monitoring undertaken in 2009
Impact of vehicles on Toheroa recruitment study completed in 2009

Ākaroa Taiāpure

Fishing effort & success survey completed in 2008
Habitat mapping and species distribution modelling to support fine scale managment, 2022-2024
Undaria pinnatifida control research, ongoing
Flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis) disease testing, 2026

Moeraki Mātaitai

Baseline survey for shallow reef fisheries, focusing on pāua, completed in 2016 & 2020
Permanent monitoring sights allowing future assessment of fisheries
Undaria pinnatifida control research, ongoing
Flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis) disease testing, 2026

Waikawa / Tumu Toka Mātaitai

Pāua and habitat surveys
Tuaki surveys
Water quality monitoring
Tuna & native fish surveys and monitoring
Pātiki Surveys
Comparing customary and modern methods of monitoring fisheries

Waikawa Harbour at Low Tide, Nov, 2015.

Opihi and Waitarakao Mātaitai

Water quality sampling
Monitoring of hīnaki sites
Nutrient sampling and analysis support -Ongoing

Rāpaki / Whakaraupō

Pāua and habitat surveys completed in 2015
Pipi / Tuaki surveys completed in 2015
Permanent transects established for ongoing monitoring
Water quality completed in 2015
Support provided surrounding Lyttelton Port Recovery Plan and Harbour dredging proposals
Undaria pinnatifida control research, ongoing
Flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis) disease testing, 2026

Tasman Gillies, Matea Gillies & Nigel Scott undertaking a Tuaki survey, May 2015