What is Seaweek?
Seaweek is Aotearoa New Zealand’s national celebration of the sea. Seaweek includes a variety of public events inspired by and encouraging connections with the ocean. There are so many ways to celebrate!
How can I get involved with Seaweek?
There are so many ways to get involved with Seaweek! You can attend events, help organise and coordinate events, learn more and educate others, join our mailing list, or contact us to volunteer with us or explore more ideas! We encourage you to get your local schools, libraries and community organisations on board! If you would like to provide a venue or make a donation to support Seaweek events please email us today!
Who is behind Seaweek?
Seaweek is coordinated nationally by the Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre (MERC) with events across the country coordinated and hosted by a range of individuals, groups, businesses and organisations. Seaweek continues to thrive and grow because of our incredible network of supporters and collaborators. We are especially grateful to Foundation North, Rātā Foundation and the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO their support of Seaweek.
What kind of events are included in Seaweek?
Seaweek includes a diverse range of events, with opportunities for all age groups. From water activities, public talks and citizen science activities, to art workshops and action projects – there’s something for everyone! You can find upcoming events via our What’s On page.
Can I host an event for Seaweek?
Yes! We would love to hear from anyone interested in coordinating an event or registering an existing event that aligns with our mission to be advertised as part of Seaweek festivities. Head over to our Organiser Hub for more details!
How can I register an event for Seaweek?
To register an event, check out our Event Support Tools then complete our Event Submission form. You can also reach out to us at any time via our contact form or email us seaweek@merc.org.nz.
What kind of events can be hosted during Seaweek?
Seaweek is all about building positive connections and greater understanding of our relationship with the ocean. Past events have featured immersive ocean activities, guided walks/bikes/paddles, educational talks/presentations/workshops, beach/waterway clean-ups and/or monitoring, creative art workshops or art competitions, documentary/film screenings, citizen science initiatives, storytimes, festivals, sea-themed quiz nights and so much more! Our event summaries from Seaweek 2025 are a great place to start looking for inspiration!
Why should I run a Seaweek event?
Seaweek events spark curiosity about the marine environment, inspire collective action for it, and generate a sense of community and deeper love for the ocean. Coordinating an event helps to make knowledge more accessible, ignites passion and contributes to positive outcomes for our future.
Why should I register my event with Seaweek?
Connecting your event to Seaweek helps to unite individuals and groups across the country with a common purpose: to grow our network and community of people working for positive change for the ocean. Challenges facing the ocean and our own wellbeing are immense and increasing and together we can make a difference. By registering your event, we can help with promotion and connect you and your event with our network.
Is there a cost to register my event as part of Seaweek?
There is no cost to register your event as part of Seaweek. In some regions we can offer limited support to help cover the cost of running an event. To find out about funding available to support events in your region please get in touch.
Are there Seaweek educational resources I can use at my event?
Yes! Head over to our Educators Hub for some fantastic educational resources! We have developed an Ocean Literacy Educators Guide with some great activities that can be done at events as well as our downloadable Creature Cards with colouring and fun facts about some of our iconic marine life!