The national Seaweek Ocean Champion Challenge – Moana Toa Whakatara – is a call for all environmental heroes to share with us what action they are taking to help solve a problem impacting our marine environment.
Recognising New Zealand’s Ocean Heroes
The Ocean Champion Challenge is about celebrating the work of many passionate ocean advocates and sharing their stories to inspire others.
Not currently accepting entries
The Ocean Champion Challenge is not running this year, but we encourage everyone to continue advocating for the ocean!
Challenge Categories
The Ocean Champion Challenge is not running in 2025, but we encourage everyone to continue advocating for the ocean!
Expressing your passion through creativity
Creators advocate for the ocean through their art. Entries include an image of your ocean-inspired artwork along with a short explanation of the meaning or story behind its creation.
Contributing observations and collecting data
Investigators contribute observations or collect data related to our marine environment. Entries include a description of the contributions and how they help us understand our marine environment.
Expressing your passion through creativity
Narrators share insight into any type of action aimed at positively impacting our ocean. Entries include a short video or written piece which communicates how the individual or group is contributing to ocean education, conservation, or awareness.
Prizegiving
We do our best to award these generously donated prizes based on merit.
The $500 cash prize is awarded by the New Zealand Coastal Society, who have been sponsoring this award since 2014. Thank you to all our Sponsors & Supporters for making it possible for us to recognise outstanding efforts.
Past Winners
2024 – Riley & Steve Hathaway,
Young Ocean Explorers
2023 – Roze Webster,
Author and Community Leader
2022 – Nicole Miller,
Author of ‘Celia Seagull and the Plastic Sea’
2021 – Zoe Luffman,
Passionate Young Ocean Advocate
2020 – Lorraine Shaab,
Petone Beach Clean-Up Crew
2019 – Lorella Doherty,
Rethinking Plastic Revolution
2018 – Samara Nicholas,
Experiencing Marine Reserves founding Director
2017 – Dr. Dan Godoy,
Marine Scientist & Turtle Expert
2016 – Friends of Waitara River,
Taranaki Community Group
2015 – Pete Bethune,
Ocean Advocate & Conservationist
2014 – Our Seas Our Future,
Marine Conservation Advocacy
Our Sponsors and Supporters
