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Maria Island

Aotearoa is now a world leader in conservation and particularly protecting islands from the ravages of the invasive hordes, but did you know that it is in the Hauraki Gulf that the dream of a predator free New Zealand first began?

Entomology excursions

From urban streams, to the Waitakere bush, our Natural Sciences team have been getting hands on beyond the Museum's walls to help protect one of Auckland’s most previous taonga: the environment. Find out what the team have been up to, and how you can take part in an eco-initiative in your area.

Steminists working remotely

Rangitāhua expedition series

Recently returned from the Rangitāhua Islands, the multidisciplinary Expedition Kaharoa held a record number of female crew members. From voyage leader, small boat skippers and vessel officer, to analysing complex data, the 15 women onboard had diverse roles and responsibilities all contributing to the expedition's success.

The Tohoraha of Rangitāhua

Rangitāhua expedition series

Commercial whaling has had a devastating impact on the Oceania whale population, with fewer than 5% remaining. Now, the tohoraha (humpback whales) are returning to Rangitāhua, and we're thrilled to see more and more with each voyage to the Kermadec region.

Illuminating the depths

Rangitāhua expedition series

From the belly of the Tangaroa research vessel, a world is revealed. A science expedition to New Zealand’s most remote islands has exposed never before seen underwater forests and areas of the sea floor.

Seaweeds and the importance of home

Rangitāhua expedition series

Many things in our ocean can be called ‘sea-weeds’, but very rarely are they noxious or undesirable. In fact the abundance of seaweeds provides crucial habitat for many animals. Young turtles, fish, crabs, sharks and more, use seaweed environments as nurseries, while species of seahorses, fish, and shrimp will always call seaweeds home.

Monitoring beyond remote locations

Rangitāhua expedition series

How much more remote can you get than the Rangitāhua Islands? 1,000 meters to be precise. That's how deep some of the science equipment plunged as part of last year’s Te Mana o Rangitāhua expedition. Researchers Joe O’Callaghan, Sarah Searson and Arnaud Valcarcel used Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) monitors to understand the raw components of seas surrounding Rangitāhua.

Listening in the depths

Rangitāhua expedition series

In late 2022, Auckland Museum was part of a collaborative voyage to Rangitāhua, aimed at studying the pristine marine environment of the area. Using specialized equipment, we explored the marine world beyond what we physically see, immersing us into the mysteries of the deep.

Boston ivy: a growing threat?

Despite being intentionally cultivated for over 100 years, Boston ivy has started to naturalise across three cities in New Zealand at the same time. Ewen Cameron, Curator Botany, and botany volunteer Shelley Heiss-Dunlop recently penned an article to shed some light on this discovery, and what it might mean for our environment.

What's on my bookshelf

Over lockdown, we asked some of our resident literary lovers what was on their bookshelves to offer you some ideas about what to read next.

A Lockdown Discovery to Buzz About

Curator of Entomology, Natural Sciences, John Early discovered a species of introduced wasp previously unrecognised in New Zealand thanks to last year’s Level 4 Lockdown. He discusses how he made his unusual discovery.

The mystery of Manawatāwhi mollymawks: a history and field report

Thursday 7 May 2020

Albatrosses breed on remote oceanic islands, as far from humans as possible. Despite this isolation, most breeding sites are known, and many are monitored to track the birds’ numbers, making it unusual that a new albatross population should be discovered and remain unstudied...

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