Moana Mark, Kaikoura (2026)

20/04/2026

Happy Te Wiki o Te Taiao - Conservation Week! 🌿

Running from April 20-26, this week serves as a great reminder that small, consistent actions matter. Everyday efforts can have a big impact which means that looking after our moana doesn’t always need to be complicated.

Doing your part can be as simple as picking up rubbish before it reaches the ocean. What washes down our streets often ends up in our waterways and, eventually, out to sea.

For us, it’s about continually working to protect the marine environment, to ensure it thrives for generations to come.

You don’t need to be a scientist, you just need to care.

📷: New Zealand Festival of Nature

13/04/2026

A warm welcome to our newest Premier Partner, Exclusive Travel Group. Thank you so much for your generous donation.

Exclusive Travel Group crafts journeys and experiences to create life-long memories. Each itinerary is meticulously designed, offering exclusive access to extraordinary experiences across the Pacific.

“Travelling with us is about the freedom to explore, knowing we’ll bring the journey to life with sophistication, heart, and a deep respect for the world we wander,” says owner Rob Young.

Through its Tiaki Promise to respect and take care of New Zealand, Exclusive Travel Group is partnering with Moana Mark to support vital marine research and conservation around the coastlines of Aotearoa.

Says Rob: “We’re partnering with Moana Mark because it represents a credible, science-backed approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine environment, while supporting sustainable tourism.”

Find out more at https://www.moanamark.com/premier-partners

Exclusive Travel Group

02/04/2026

Extraordinary but true: we don’t know where the s***m whales in Aotearoa New Zealand are born, where they come from before they reach Kaikōura, and where they go after they leave.

Incredible footage shared by National Geographic recently shows a scene that National Geographic Explorers David Gruber and Shane Gero stumbled upon in Dominica: a group of female s***m whales assisting a birth. What they saw as part of a @‌projectceti study re-wrote what we know about midwifery in the animal kingdom.

Through our own research on s***m whale populations in New Zealand, we hope to discover more about where our males in Kaikōura meet up with females, and where those females give birth.

Our mission is to connect individuals and businesses directly with marine research projects in Aotearoa New Zealand. With your support, we can make a difference. And who knows what we might discover?

🎥

21/03/2026

🦭 It’s International Day of the Seal today, and here in Aotearoa, it’s a chance to celebrate one of our most recognisable marine mammals, the New Zealand fur seal/kekeno.

This day helps to raise awareness about seal conservation around the world. For Aotearoa, seals are an important part of our coastal ecosystems and a powerful reminder of why marine research and protection matter.

At Moana Mark, supporting research helps us better understand how marine species are recovering, how populations are changing, and what they need to thrive.

Did you know?

• Seals can hold their breath for up to 30 minutes.

• Seals can dive to depths of over 70m.

• New Zealand fur seals dive longer and further than any other seal, and are known to reach depths of over 200m.

• New Zealand fur seals were once hunted to near extinction but have made a remarkable recovery since becoming a protected species.

Where to see them in Aotearoa:
If you’re hoping to spot kekeno in the wild, some of the best places include:
📍 Ohau Point Seal Colony, Kaikōura – New Zealand’s largest mainland colony
📍 Cape Palliser, Wairarapa – the North Island’s largest permanent colony
📍 Taiaroa Head, Otago Peninsula – seals often haul out around this wildlife hotspot

If you do encounter seals, remember they are protected wildlife. Keep your distance and give them plenty of space, because when our marine wildlife thrives, so does our moana.

Leopard Seals NZ

11/03/2026

📖 Have you heard of PFAS? Also known as ‘forever chemicals’? While you may be tempted to scroll on, rather than learning about yet another type of pollution to worry about, we thought this article from The Conversation was an excellent insight into PFAS through the lens of marine mammal research.

Our founder, Dr Krista van der Linde, has been collaborating with the article’s author for many years and hopes to be able to provide genetic samples from Kaikōura taonga.

Lead author, Dr Karen Stockin, is Professor of Marine Ecology at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University: “Most surprising of all, where an animal lives does not predict its exposure. Instead, s*x and age are stronger predictors of how much of these pollutants a whale or dolphin accumulates in its body.

“This means chemical pollution is more persistent and entrenched in ocean food webs than we realised, affecting everything from endangered coastal Māui dolphins to deep-diving beaked and s***m whales.”

Read the full article here: https://theconversation.com/forever-chemicals-contaminate-more-dolphins-and-whales-than-we-thought-new-research-269928

The Conversation Australia + NZ

03/03/2026

Kaikōura is one of the few places in the world where you can see s***m whales year-round and close to shore.

🐋 These ocean giants dive to over 3,000m and can hold their breath for up to two hours. Their powerful tails make every surfacing a breathtaking event.

It’s only the males you’ll see here, females and young stay in warmer waters.

See them for yourself with Whale Watch Kaikoura . And consider donating to support vital research into their local population in Kaikōura at https://www.moanamark.com/s***m-whale-project

📸 Bare Kiwi

Whale Watch Kaikoura 100% Pure New Zealand

***mwhale

28/02/2026

🌊 Do you have a marine research idea that could help protect our moana?

Moana Mark is now inviting proposals for conservation-led, science-based projects across Aotearoa.

✔ Funding from $1,000–$10,000
✔ One-year projects
✔ Opportunity for endorsement if not funded

Whether you’re a postgraduate student or an established researcher, the main things you need are curiosity, a clear research question, and a willingness to conduct marine research.

📅 1-31 March 2026
⏰ Late applications will not be accepted.
🔗 https://www.moanamark.com/call-for-projects

Let’s turn knowledge into conservation action.

27/02/2026

Seaweek 2026 has begun! 🌊

From today until 8th March, communities across Aotearoa are celebrating - Kaupapa Moana, our annual reminder that healthy seas mean healthy people.

At Moana Mark, this kaupapa sits at the heart of everything we do. We exist to strengthen marine science and conservation across Aotearoa because our wellbeing, economy, culture, and identity are all tied to the moana.

Whether you’re a researcher, tourism operator, educator, or simply someone who loves the ocean, this week is for you.

Here’s how to get involved:

🔹 Attend a Seaweek event
🔹 Vote in Fish of the Year
🔹 Take part in the National Ocean Inspired Art Competition
🔹 Support marine conservation
🔹 Spend time by the water

Connection is powerful. Action is essential.

Find out what’s happening near you at http://seaweek.org.nz

26/02/2026

Introducing Emile van der Linde. As one of our valued board members, he's helping to grow Moana Mark and provide more opportunities for individuals and businesses to directly fund marine research projects across Aotearoa.

General Manager of Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses

“My hospitality and tourism career began immediately after school, when I joined an in-house hospitality management training programme at Protea Hotels in South Africa. Based at Protea Hotel San Lameer, I travelled to other hotels within the group, learning how different properties operate. This experience fuelled my passion for the industry and allowed me to explore various cultures and ways of life. After working in South Africa, England, and New Zealand, I joined Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses 15 years ago.”

Developing Moana Mark and Giving Back

“As a lodge manager, I wanted to offer guests more than just a place to stay and dine. I envisioned an experience where visitors could enjoy the beauty of Kaikōura while contributing to the community. After brainstorming with my wife Krista, the idea for Moana Mark was born.”

Supporting Marine Research

“With the support of Hapuku Lodge owner Tony Wilson, we proudly became the inaugural partner of Moana Mark. Through this initiative, we support marine research by donating a portion of our proceeds and providing the use of a marine lab for research purposes.”

Whether you're an individual wanting to give back, or a business ready to lead in sustainable tourism, there's a way to make your mark. Find out how to donate today: https://www.moanamark.com/donate-moana-mark

Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses

19/02/2026

Meet the ocean’s true giant, the blue whale. Here in Kaikōura, where Moana Mark is based, we’re lucky to occasionally spot these incredible mammals.

From our friends Whale Watch Kaikoura : “Blue whales are sighted off the Kaikōura coastline at various times throughout the year. They’re generally on a mission as they are passing through, so when sighted on our tours it is very special indeed.”

Find out below what makes the blue whale so special:

🐋 The largest and heaviest animal that has ever lived on Earth.

🔊 Also the loudest. Its whistle can be heard underwater across entire oceans.

✈️ As big as a Boeing 737 and six times as heavy.

🫀 Heart the size of a small car.

🐘 Tongue as big as an African bull elephant.

Happy spotting!

13/02/2026

📖 As a marine research organisation, we found this new article from New Zealand Geographic magazine resonated with us. It focuses on the Ōhau seal colony, near where we are based in Kaikōura, and the research Jody Weir is doing there for the Department of Conservation (DOC).

It’s well worth a read if you're interested in the threats our marine life here in Aotearoa are up against. The upside? With research and data, we can hone in on where to focus our conservation efforts.

https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/silent-spring/

@‌newzealandgeographic

📸 Richard Robinson

06/02/2026

Introducing Gavin Oliver, deputy chair of the Moana Mark board. Gavin is Managing Director of EcoZip Adventures and chairperson for The Kiwi Kids Charity.

“I began my journey in New Zealand’s tourism industry in 2008 by founding a small-group touring company. My vision was to offer guests an authentic experience, allowing them to connect with New Zealand through highly interactive, personalised tours. In 2012, I co-founded EcoZip Adventures, a business model focused on commercial conservation, blending profit with purpose. Today, EcoZip is a multi-award-winning company with locations on both the North and South Islands. Our mission remains unchanged: to help guests form a deeper, more meaningful connection with New Zealand.”

Meaningful Connections Through Tourism

“The preservation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and biodiversity is a cause I hold deeply. The world’s oceans are often seen as a barometer for the health of our planet, making their protection even more urgent.”

Honoured to Support Moana Mark

“Moana Mark plays a vital role in connecting tourism businesses, visitors, and the science community. By fostering collaboration, it creates meaningful, long-term benefits for our oceans and the species that depend on them. As a board member, I am honoured to support Moana Mark’s efforts to safeguard our oceans and ensure their protection for future generations.”

Whether you're an individual wanting to give back, or a business ready to lead in sustainable tourism, there's a way to make your mark. Find out how to donate today: https://www.moanamark.com/donate-moana-mark

Moana Mark

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