Inaugural symposium charting new waters for Centre for Oceanography

The new Centre for Oceanography will hold its inaugural symposium in March, marking a significant step in expanding national research capacity and developing the next generation of oceanographers.

Jointly hosted by the University of Otago and Earth Sciences New Zealand, the Centre for Oceanography was established following a Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2023.

The two-day event, which will take place on 16 and 17 March, will bring together researchers and students to discuss collaborative opportunities, training pathways and the future of oceanographic research in Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Department of Marine Science Professor Miles Lamare says the goal of the symposium is to build momentum for the Centre.

“New Zealand has a limited number of young oceanographers coming through, and we are keen to develop new programmes and collaborations that provide new and innovative opportunities for training students," Miles says.

Marine Biogeochemistry Professor Cliff Law, who is based at Earth Sciences New Zealand in Wellington, is co-leading the new Centre for Oceanography and says the vision for the new Centre is ambitious.

“We envisage a national hub that increases the diversity and quality of oceanographers and research, while expanding capacity to undertake significant marine research across the South Pacific,” Cliff says.

"Ultimately, the Centre will inform national and international decision-making and policy on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans as the climate changes."

The University and Earth Sciences New Zealand have already established strong links and collaborations in several large ocean research programmes, including those in the Antarctic and tropical regions.

One example is the Munida Time Series, which is the longest-running dataset of its kind in the southern hemisphere and is recognised globally as a foundational study tracking oceanic changes over decades. Starting in 1998, the research has involved the measurement of ocean chemistry parameters for every two months along a 65km transect off the Otago coast. The Munida Time Series was part of the institutional collaboration that received the Prime Minister’s Science Prize in 2011.

Symposium organisers are looking to build on this success through discussions and workshops that will cover areas such as new research and funding opportunities, oceanography training, and capacity building and infrastructure.

The symposium will also include a series of science talks and include a keynote address from Dr Peter Russell on his research in the Pacific Islands, partnering with local communities on issues ranging from restoring lagoon circulation to the dynamics of hurricanes in the region.