Thank you to everyone who completed our Seaweek 2026 Planning Survey, it is always wonderful to hear your ideas on how to make Seaweek bigger and better each year!
We had great representation across nearly all regions. Overall, respondents preferred our website, newsletters and social media to hear about events.
Respondents were most interested in clean-up and restoration activities as well as presentations and discussions, reflecting strong interest in learning about important issues facing our ocean and taking action together.
Here are a few comments respondents shared with us about events they’d like to see in their area:
A free and fun family event at/close to the ocean with hands on learning! -Marlborough
Events that engage a wide variety of community members and is a fun shared experience that teaches or allows observations about moana taiao. People protect what they love. -Nelson-Tasman
Children’s fun educational activities; presentation/talk at local libraries; public education on dogs and vehicles on beaches; citizen science actions; rockpool bioblitz; seabird id birdwatching. -Nelson-Tasman
Water sampling and discussions on water quality and run off into our harbour and waterways -Canturbury
I live in Queenstown so I think an event which engages the community on connecting to the ocean even though they don’t live next to it is vital. An event which educates them on how interconnected ecosystems are and what we can do to protect the marine environment even if we are in-land -Otago
Events that support whānau and tamariki building knowledge together, webinars, or interactive experiences that have knowledge education within them and then hands-on support to our Moana -Otago
family friendly events where all ages can experience the wonder & delight of our oceans, the threats to healthy oceans and tangible act now solutions. e.g. film screenings, snorkeling including beach clean up & recycling, whole family sea themed recycled material art workshop. -Northland
Experiencing the ocean. I work at an inner city school, and many children haven’t been snorkelling before. -Northland
Sand dune pest plant control & beach cleanups. -Northland
The change in fish stock, ocean temperature, the edibility of seaweeds and the present conditions of NZ waters. -Auckland
Education about ocean pollution, how rubbish affects our sea life. -Hawkes Bay
Awareness activities. Especially for the inland communities in our region. -Manawatu–Whanganui
Citizen science and restoration events, as I think they engage people and leave them feeling more hopeful. -Wellington
If you’d like to share your thoughts with us, it’s not too late! Even though prizes have been awarded, the survey remains open. Have your say today and we’ll do our best to bring more of what you love to Seaweek tomorrow!