Seaweek 2026 All Around Aotearoa
Seaweek 2026 offered an incredible variety of events, reaching more New Zealanders than ever! Over 120 in-person and online events took place with public community events happening in every region throughout the country! Along with these, there were countless other activities and learning displays in schools and libraries across Aotearoa!
This year we prioritized connection with the moana highlighting Ocean Literacy Principle #6: The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected. This means we cannot separate our own ability to thrive from the ocean’s: Our seas truly are our survival.
Did you know?
We rely on the ocean for so many things, from the oxygen we breathe, to the weather and climate that shape our environment and resources, for food and medications we consume, for transporting ourselves and our goods around the planet and much more.
Our actions influence the ocean and marine life in many ways.
Pollution we create or spread on land or at sea ranges from sound to chemical, physical, and biological and can cause local and global changes for species and ecosystems.
Overfishing has already dramatically reduced life in the ocean for both target species and those caught as bycatch and can also damage important habitats.
Climate change and invasive species reduce and redistribute species around the globe.
Our conservation efforts can make important differences through protecting individual species and ecosystems.
Here we offer a snapshot of Seaweek 2026!
Nationwide Online Events
Seaweek included four online events this year engaging people from all over New Zealand to get involved. These competitions and events inspired creativity, informed and engaged people to celebrate our seas and unique marine life whether they live near the ocean or not.
Joint Webinar with SeaWeek Australia
Teachers, students and ocean lovers of all kinds from both Australia and New Zealand tuned in to join experts from both countries discussing Ocean Literacy Principles #4 and #6, learning more about our many connections to the ocean.
Ocean Inspired Art Competition
Nearly 300 young people and adults from across Aotearoa created art within two themes, how I connect with the ocean and human impact on our ocean. Their impressive work can be viewed in our online gallery.
Yachting New Zealand’s Seaweek Photo Competition
View the beautiful images captured around the country that took the top prizes at this years competition.
Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust’s Fish of the Year
Always a fun way to learn more about our fintastic fish species! This year’s winner was the Northland Mudfish!
“I got to see all the different ways people connect to the ocean through their artwork. I also am now more aware that even some of the smallest actions can affect the ocean.” – Ocean Inspired Art Competition participant
Event Locations
The North Island celebrated Seaweek with 75 events! While many of these were within the Auckland Region, there was an excellent spread of events across Te Ika-a-Māui!
In the South Island we had 47 events led by an impressive set of programmes in the Canterbury Region.
We were thrilled to see at least one public event in every Region this year and hope to continue to build more even more widespread connection with Seaweek in the future!
Seaweek 2026 Events by Region
Event types
We loved seeing the variety of events emphasizing ocean connection through creativity, recreation, education, and action! While many events incorporated elements of all or a few of these categories, here are some highlights from events showcasing each one.
Creativity
From Seaweek’s origin as a creative event, we love to see so many opportunities for Kiwi’s to express our love and concern for the ocean through different media. Creative events and activities were the emphasis or an important part of at least a quarter of this year’s Seaweek events. With performances, films, exhibitions, art competitions and more, there was something for everyone!
The ReCreators held four ocean-inspired craft events in libraries throughout Auckland, including a ‘Circular Seascapes’ painting event at Māngere East Library.
Scientific Ocean Art ran a free ‘Paint with a Biologist’ activity at Children’s Day in Tauranga, where participants could paint ocean-themed pottery and learn about sea creatures.
Alissa Dyer’s ‘Embracing the Tides: Protecting Moana’ art exhibition highlighted how small, meaningful choices impact marine ecosystems and engaged schools in activities and exhibition visits (Photo credit: Eris Newson).
Creative Arts Napier held a Youth Photography Competition & Exhibition! This exhibition highlighted works from young photographers celebrating the ocean and marine life.
Pohatu Penguins / plunge held a Seaweek Variety Show with ocean-themed costumes & performances.
The Company of Giants Ocean Ocean in Whangārei was a theatrical journey through human and non-human relationships with the moana encouraging audiences to reflect on environmental change and our shared future.
“Incredible art. Inspiring interactive exhibition that our students loved” – Embracing the Tides participant
Recreation
Getting out and connecting with the ocean is a key aspect of Seaweek and was the focus or important component of over a quarter of the events taking place this year. These events made ocean activities safe and accessible by offering free or low-cost access to gear and instruction. Participants surfed, kayaked, paddle boarded, snorkeled, explored coasts, did yoga and more!
Te Aitarakihi Marae a Iwi and Waitaha Paddling Club ran a Waka Ama experience at Caroline Bay in Timaru! Participants learned to paddle a six-seater waka guided by experienced crew.
In Northland, NZ Surf Academy ran free Surf Safety & Introductory Surf Sessions in Tutukaka. Many first-time surfers successfully caught their first waves! Learn 2 Surf held surf sessions and a beach clean for Seaweek at the Cove in Waipu. (Photo credit: Carlene Weatherup)
Sir Peter Blake Marine Education & Recreation Centre’s annual SeaMERC Day in Auckland was an opportunity to participate in free ocean and marine science activities! Read more about Seaweek at MERC.
Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust’s community snorkel at Rotokura / Cable Bay had over 100 participants with other great events at Reotahi Marine Reserve, Takapuna, Goat Island, in Wellington and Gisborne! Read more about Rotokura here.
“The seaweek focus brought in a range of community that I hadn’t seen at the beach previously so I feel it was very effective. Ellen had great connection with the kids. It would be fantastic to see it run in Waipu again. And thank you for this year’s event!” – Seaweek at the Cove participant
“Most impressed with the organisation, variety of activities and opportunity for our tamariki to experience water activities and learn about sea life. They absolutely LOVED the day’s event. Thank you too, for access to wetsuits and life jackets… this free event being so inclusive and accessible to everyone was absolutely excellent! Thank you.” – SeaMERC Day participant
“My daughter and I for the third time, she loves it and asks every year if we can go back. She is a bit hesitant going snorkeling with me only. She feels not so confident and especially if she can’t see the bottom. So it is great she can feel safe with you going out there every year at least once. THANK YOU.” – Rotokura (Cable Bay) Community Guided Snorkel Day participant
“It was incredible! thank you for the opportunity, I am actually scared of waves so this was out of my comfort zone. I now feel more confident and connected to my local beach.” – Surf Safety & Introductory Surf Sessions participant
Education
While learning is a component of everything we do, well over half of Seaweek 2026 events were focused on education. Our emphasis on improving Ocean Literacy this year was spread throughout Seaweek and highlighted by some incredible events that brought communities together to learn about the ocean and what we can do to safeguard both ocean and human health into the future.
In Mangawhai, Sustainable Kaipara coordinated a ‘Stories from the Sea’ talk from underwater film-maker Steve Hathaway! Over 120 attendees enjoyed the engaging presentations, underwater footage and the event’s inspiring conservation message. Read more about Seaweek in Mangawhai.
Blue Cradle’s Immersive Lab held screenings of ocean films on a 360º screen, engaging over 2000 participants in learning about marine ecosystems and ocean literacy! School groups visited the Immersive Lab through Tūranga’s Blue Schools programme. Moana Discovery Day and a series of evening talks rounded out the full week of programmes.
Sir Peter Blake MERC ran ‘You, Me and the Sea!’ sessions at three Auckland libraries for tamariki to explore our connection to the sea through learning and craft! Other events at MERC emphasized marine science through hands-on activities and dissections. Read more about Seaweek at MERC.
Conservation Kids NZ, Envirohub Marlborough & Te Ātiawa combined forces for learning about the moana and it’s connections to the awa, tātahi, and the surrounding ngahere at their Explore Nature at Momorangi Bay event!
Shark Tales with Clinton Duffy included a special behind the scenes glimpse at Auckland War Memorial Museum’s fish collection and Sharks exhibition.
The Cawthron Institute’s annual Seaweek talk focused on Marine Biosecurity with invasion ecologist Dr Malindi Gammon. View the talk recording.
“Knowledge = power, outreach = hard. In current tech overload, thank you for offering a real person event. Hope the messages resonated & carried forth.” – Seaweek Talk and panel at Tūranga Christchurch participant
“It was enjoyed by both the guardians and children. Very informative and entertaining at the same time. The passion of the presenters was inspiring too.” – You, Me & the Sea participant
Action
More than a quarter of all Seaweek events included action for our ocean! These ranged from clean-up events, which happened in most regions around the country, to planting and citizen science. Our beaches and waterways are cleaner because of the outstanding efforts of participants, volunteers, and organisers removing literally tonnes of rubbish from the shore while some took to the seas to clean up underwater!
Save the Dotterels, Hawke’s Bay ran a beach clean up across three sites at Waipūreku/Clive! There were over 70 participants across all sties (Photo credit: Marilyn Scott).
Friends of Wairaki Stream held their annual clean up of Lynfield Cove in Auckland while observing tidal flats and coastal birds.
Keep New Zealand Beautiful ran a Seaview Seaweek Sealebration in Wellington! The Sealebration involved a massive clean up as well as free coffee and morning tea (Photo credit: Keep Hutt Valley Beautiful).
Glass Bottom Boat Whitianga ran an underwater scuba dive clean-up at Gemstone Bay in Waikato.
South Canterbury Museum held a Bioblitz at Waitarakao Rocky Shore! Participants contributed to iNaturalist’s citizen science database by identifying and photographing species. Read more about Seaweek in Timaru.
The Whau River Catchment Trust ran a Beach Biodiversity Hunt at Blockhouse Bay, which explored intertidal biodiversity with a Marine Metre Squared (MM2) survey.
Sustainable Coastlines, Forest & Bird Youth, Without Waste, and New Brighton Library ran a beach clean-up and litter intelligence audit in Christchurch.
Our Waitarakao’s clean-up of the Waitarakao Lagoon in Timaru brought together over 50 volunteers, who helped collect tyres, bottles, gloves, fishing line, rope and plastic from the lagoon. Read more about Seaweek in Timaru.
Sustainable Taranaki held a clean-up at Paritūtū Reserve. This event was Sustainable Taranaki’s 37th community cleanup, and 1,690 litres of rubbish were collected!
Festivals
Several large celebrations took place took place with many organisations involved and a variety of activities emphasizing ocean connections and learning through fun!
Estuary Fest in Christchurch brought together over 25 local organisations and 500+ participants to celebrate the Ihutai/Avon-Heathcote Estuary! Participants enjoyed displays about the estuary, live music, activities and games, and clean up. (Photo credit: Helena).
The South Canterbury Eco Centre and local organsiations held a Children’s Day celebration in Timaru with games, hands-on learning and displays! Read more about Seaweek in Timaru.
The Whāingaroa Environment Centre celebrated Seaweek with a Māui Dolphin Day & Recycled Raft Race. This community festival raised awareness for Māui Dolphins, with activities, performances, and nore. (Photo credit: Xtreme Zero Waste). Read more about the day.
Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai Trust held their annual Farewell to the Godwits event at Southshore Spit Reserve, with 360 attendees! There were free binoculars and scopes to view the godwits, as well as experts answering questions about the birds.
“Connecting with others who are passionate about our kaitiaki role for the environment. Attendees were engaging and curious.” – Estuary Fest participant
Seaweek in Schools
Many schools around the country made the most out of Seaweek by engaging students in learning about the ocean. Several joined in our Joint Webinar with their teachers or submitted entries to the Ocean-Inspired Art Competition, others took part in special classroom activities, while some were able to get out to the ocean for hands-on learning. Here are a few of the wonderful stories that were shared with us!
Waikawa Bay School
The school welcomed Glenis from the NZ Marine Studies Centre who engaged students in hands-on interactive learning experiences exploring the ocean and marine life. The tamariki were full of curiosity and learned about different species and how our actions impact the sea. Afterward, she met with the teaching staff to build their skills in running beach studies with their classes. They finished out the week heading to Shakespeare Bay to take everything they learned to the beach for more hands-on discovery and connection with the moana! They searched for sea creatures and cooled off with a swim! What an incredible experience for both students and staff this Seaweek!
Albany Kindergarten
Albany Kindergarten celebrated Seaweek with some incredible stories, sensory play and creativity learning about the ocean, beach and sea creatures. They also explored what they can do to look after this special taonga. Such a beautiful way to learn together!
Greymouth High School
Year 10 Greymouth High School students focused on marine environments as part of the Papa Taiao Earthcare Junior Conservation Ranger programme. They conducted a bioblitz using iNaturalist to identify 41 species! They also learned about rimurapa (bull kelp), marine heatwaves, tara (white-fronted terns) nesting areas on the Pancake rocks, and even spotted tūpoupou (Hector’s dolphins) in the distance. An incredible day of learning and ocean connection!
Waitaria Bay school
Students celebrated Seaweek through learning and creativity through discussions about Jaques Cousteau, writing an acrostic poem, and taking on a Seaweek lego challenge, building some fabulous sea creatures! Such fun learning!
Haast School
Students took some fantastic action for the ocean collecting almost 3.5 kg of rubbish completing a Sustainable Coastlines litter audit. Then they learned about West Coast sea creatures from giant squid to penguins, plus super shark facts and more! Such great work learning and caring for our moana!
Mana Whaitake o Kaiteriteri
Students from several schools participated in an incredible day of learning through experience in a collaboration between organisations including Tasman Bay Guardians, Mountains to Sea, Cawthron Institute, Ministry for Primary Industries, Town & Country Vet, Whitebait Connection, and others. Tamariki explored marine habitats and species through a variety of activities including a fish dissection, paddling, snorkeling, practicing a whale rescue and more!
Nature’s Den Forest and Farm School
The school had a very special Seaweek full of learning and action for our ocean. They collected 2.5 kayaks full of rubbish at Little Shoal Bay, discussing guardianship, pollution and caring for our moana and read books together to deepen their understanding and discussion. Way to go team!
Waiheke Resources Trust 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲
Waiheke Primary, Waiheke Hich School, Nga Purapura Akoranga and Fossil Bay explored from mounga ki te moana through snorkeling, exploring the coast and learning about biodiversity and restoration. Incredible learning through observation and connection!
Redwood Playcentre
Explored sea creatures through play.
Makaraka School
Had a visit from Tairāwhiti Enviroschools to learn about looking after our moana.
South Otago Kiwi Conservation Club
Celebrated Seaweek through creating sand sculptures of sea creatures!
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who has helped in ways big and small! Whether you helped to organise or sponsor an event, participated, volunteered, or shared event details or your experience with others, we are so grateful. You inspire us to keep up this mahi!
Thank you especially to Foundation North and Rātā Foundation for their continued support of Seaweek. We are so grateful for this support which enables us to broaden our Seaweek programme offerings and deepen our connection in more communities.
For more details on all of the Seaweek 2026 events, see our North and South Island summaries coming soon!
