Marine Science and Research in New Zealand

In most instances, a career in marine science will require a minimum of a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. All New Zealand universities offer the BSc degree, however, only Victoria University of Wellington offers a named degree in marine biology. Both the University of Auckland and the University of Otago offer specific courses in marine sciences as part of a BSc in biology/zoology and most of our other universities offer a general BSc in biological sciences which will provide a good grounding for further study with a focus on marine science.

Most marine scientists will continue on to post-graduate study and, in some cases, start to focus on marine research for the first time. A number of courses with a specific focus on the marine environment are available in New Zealand.  For example, the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has a long established Diploma in Marine Studies, there is the recently launched Master of Marine Conservation at Victoria University of Wellington and Master of Science (MSc) degrees in marine sciences are offered at the University of Otago and the University of Auckland.

In addition to these opportunities, a focus on a marine topic for thesis research for the MSc degree is available at Auckland University of Technology, Massey University, the University of Canterbury and Waikato University.

For further information on these options check the following websites:

• University of Otago:
  Marine Science Department
• University of Auckland:
  Leigh Marine Laboratory
• Massey University:
  Coastal Marine Research Group
• University of Canterbury:
  Marine Ecology Research Group
• Auckland University of Technology:
  Earth and Ocean Sciences Research Institute
• University of Waikato:
  Coastal Marine Group
• Victoria University of Wellington:
  Centre for Marine Environmental and Economic Research
• Bay of Plenty Polytechnic:
  Marine Studies

Marine scientists work in a wide variety of settings. Many public entities utilise the skills of marine scientists, these include the Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation and Regional Councils. There are also a variety of non-governmental agencies that conduct marine research who employ marine scientists. These include the Nelson/Marlborough based Cawthron Institute, a variety of universities and polytechnics and colleges of education.

The private sector also has a need for marine scientists. Fisheries companies, the aquaculture industry, port and exploration companies and resource management consultancies all utilise marine science expertise. Opportunities also exist in the marine tourism industry with dive operators, marine mammal tour operations and other marine wildlife based tours.

In addition, the Crown Research Institute NIWA conducts many marine oriented research projects and Antarctica New Zealand also hosts marine science and research activities. Not for profit conservation groups such as Greenpeace, WWF New Zealand and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society also employ people with marine sciences training and interests.

To stay in touch with the marine science community The New Zealand Marine Sciences Society publishes an Annual New Zealand Marine Science Review and the Royal Society of New Zealand publishes the New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research.

Useful websites for marine oriented organisations include:

• National Institute of Water and Atmosphere
• New Zealand Marine Sciences Society
• Cawthron Institute