Auckland Museum has a long history as a research institution, dating back as far as the days of one of our early directors, Thomas Cheeseman, who as an avid botanist, spent much time and delight exploring the botanical environment in the Far North.
This collaborative expedition to the Kermadec Islands continued on from a earlier expeditions to the region, during which quite a number of new species were described and recorded for the first time.
A blog was kept, detailing the nearly three week expedition back up to this region to conduct further research. One of the highlights was releasing Koha, a rescued turtle who was discovered ill in Auckland waters, nursed back to health, then released back into its natural environment back up north, keeping well hydrated on the journey there.