Waiheke Marine Project

22/09/2026

Emily Griffith, Kelp Gardener P**i Kairuruku (Project Coordinator) expresses a huge ngā mihi nui, thank you to everyone who donated to our MA Earth Campaign, to the wider MA Earth community, and to MA Earth for making this funding initiative possible.

This support will help get more people in the water and expand the Kelp Gardeners P**i, with the long-term aim of growing the kelp māra (garden) into a thriving kelp ngahere (forest) across both sides of Enclosure Bay, Waiheke Island.

We’ll be sharing more over the coming months about how the funding will be used and what it will mean for the Kelp Gardeners and P**i.

Over the weekend, mana whenua divers were out in the water observing the Kelp Garden sites on both the left and right of the bay, looking at the hauora (health and wellbeing) of each site and what mahi is needed next. They also collected some kina for their wānanga and noho marae.

16/09/2026

Whakanuia te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
Celebrate Māori Language Week with Waiheke Marine Project

04/09/2026

We’re excited to welcome our Waiheke Community to the 6th Annual Kōura Survey Results Sharing Event this Saturday.

Saturday 5th September
Palm Beach Hall
12 pm - 3 pm
Light kai supplied!

This event is a celebration of the amazing mahi, to gain insights into the health of kōura around Waiheke, and to reflect on the impact of our collective efforts. It’s also an opportunity to strengthen community connections, share good kai, and acknowledge the generous support that makes this kaupapa possible.

The Kōura Dive Survey is a community-driven citizen science kaupapa aimed at enhancing our understanding of kōura (rock lobster) health and the broader marine ecosystem around Waiheke Island.

Over the past 6 years, we have monitored the northern Waiheke coastline, helping develop a reliable local insight into the marine environment.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Ngā mihi maioha,
KDS P**i-subgroup

03/09/2026

REMINDER – Have Your Say TOMORROW on the Future of Kōura

Waiheke Marine Project is preparing a submission on this proposal and encourages our community to have their say too. Take a few minutes to read the proposal and make your own submission. Details are explained here by Ngāti Rehua - Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust Board...

Have your say The Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board and the Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Iwi Trust Board have requested that the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries implement local rock lobster management measures in the waters around Aotea Great Barrier Island that would affect both recreational and...

31/08/2026

We’re excited to welcome our Waiheke Community to the 6th Annual Kōura Survey Results Sharing event this Saturday.

Saturday 5th September
Palm Beach Hall
12 pm - 3 pm
Light kai supplied!

This event is a celebration of the amazing mahi, to gain insights into the health of kōura around Waiheke, and to reflect on the impact of our collective efforts. It’s also an opportunity to strengthen community connections, share good kai, and acknowledge the generous support that makes this kaupapa possible.

The Kōura Dive Survey is a community-driven citizen science kaupapa aimed at enhancing our understanding of kōura (rock lobster) health and the broader marine ecosystem around Waiheke Island.

Over the past 6 years, we have monitored the northern Waiheke coastline, helping develop a reliable local insight into the marine environment.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Ngā mihi maioha,
KDS P**i-subgroup

27/08/2026

A huge ngā mihi nui from the Waiheke Marine Project whānau!

You might have noticed last month the WMP socials were focused on an MA Earth campaign. WMP’s Kelp Gardeners P**i was incredibly proud to be selected from 800 applications to take part in this global funding campaign supporting grassroots nature projects around the world.

It wasn’t just about raising funds (although that was pretty important!). It was also an opportunity to showcase the Kelp Gardener P**i, and share the why, who and what behind its mahi, ultimately, the incredible native creatures living above and below the surface at Enclosure Bay.

And now for the drum roll…
Together, 67 of you generously helped raise an incredible $18,000 NZD (approx).

MA Earth’s quadratic funding model means every individual supporter counts, regardless of donation size, so every single donation made a difference.

An announcement on exactly what the funds will be applied to will be shared very soon.

Thank you for backing the Kelp Gardeners P**i and the moana!

11/08/2026

We're honoured to see the mahi featured in a recent Te Ao Māori News story highlighting the challenges facing the moana, while also shining a light on the incredible community working to regenerate it.

At Waiheke Marine Project, mātauranga Māori and Western science exist together, alongside every dive, every kelp regeneration effort, every snorkeller and every volunteer, as part of that bigger picture.

Regenerating our moana isn't the responsibility of one organisation — it's a whole system effort.

Ngā mihi to Te Ao Māori News for sharing these important stories.

Read the full story https://www.waihekemarineproject.org/awards-media

03/08/2026

Literally hundreds of people have collaborated to deliver the sixth annual Kōura Dive Survey at Waiheke Island.

This community-driven citizen science kaupapa is aimed at enhancing our understanding of kōura (rock lobster) health and the broader marine ecosystem.

In addition to the wonderful sponsors, the scuba and freediver volunteers, boat owners and skippers there is a huge crew of suppliers and service providers who are part of the survey whānau, many over multiple years.

From kai, to wai, from diving air, equipment, videography, printing, marine logistics, land transport to safety systems these are the supporters partnering with the Waiheke Marine Project team, the Waiheke Island Community, and manawhenua without which the survey would not happen.

The Island Grocer , Michael Grey, Island Print, Fullers 360, Auckland Sea Shuttles, Katalyst Productions, Waiheke Marina , Waiheke Water, Sealink, Epic Scuba, Dive Doctor, Performance Dive, Global Dive, Wettie, Waiheke Resources Trust, Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, Glenn Edney & Te Wairua O Te Moananui-Ocean Spirit Charitable Trust

Ngā mihi nui - please join us on 5th of September 2026 on Waiheke, for the Community presentation of this year’s findings.

23/07/2026

Waiheke Marine Project is honoured to be hosting Ocean Dreams at the Waiheke Collective Film Festival this Saturday, 25 July.

Premiered on World Ocean Day, this special screening marks the film's Aotearoa debut. WMP chose Ocean Dreams for its breathtaking cinematography, capturing the beauty, power, and fragility of our oceans while inspiring a deeper connection to the marine world we all share.

From the icy fjords of Norway to the vibrant reefs of Raja Ampat, the film features extraordinary marine life and intricate ecosystems. Alongside its visual spectacle, it shares powerful stories of resilience and ocean recovery across the globe.

WHEN: Saturday 25 July
TIME: Doors 4.00pm | Film 4.30pm
WHERE: Waiheke Community Cinema
TICKETS:https://events.humanitix.com/waiheke-collective-film-festival-ocean-dreams

20/07/2026

Emily Griffith ~ Kelp Gardeners Co-Kairuruku ~ is at Enclosure Bay sharing a huge thank-you to everyone who has donated to our Ma Earth fundraising campaign so far.

Your generosity, encouragement, and belief in what we’re building mean so much to our project.

Every contribution helps us continue our mahi and grow our Kelp Ngahere in Enclosure Bay.

We have one day to go, and we’re still aiming as high as possible.

If you’d like to help us get there, we’d be so grateful for your support.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

How you can help:

* Donate any amount at link in bio or at https://maearth.com/waihekemarineproject/0a0790c3

Ngā mihi nui





All donations are in USD