Seaweek was celebrated in so many exciting ways across Te Waipounamu with public events in every region! Nearly 50 events across the South Island gathered communitites together to explore, learn, protect, and connect!

The Top of the South in Nelson and Marlborough celebrated with a walk, talk, snorkel, clean up and Children’s Day festival!

The NBS Boulder Bank walk with the Rotary Club of Nelson West was a 9 km group walk along Nelson’s Boulder Bank spit! Proceeds from this event helped to support Nelson Coastguard and local community projects. 

Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, Ngāti Tama ki te Waipounamu, and a representative from The Cawthron Institute collaborated for a Rotokura / Cable Bay Snorkel Day, which gave over 100 community members the chance to experience snorkelling! Participants loved how the event made experiencing the ocean accessible for their families! There was also a Tonga Island Marine Reserve snorkel day in Nelson with Tasman Bay Guardians. 

“An ideal first-time snorkel experience! It was amazing, so interesting and very calm!” – Rotokura / Cable Bay participant 

Another participant loved “seeing so many taonga that I had no idea were there ” 

“I am very grateful for the generosity, warmth, and skills of all involved in putting this event on. It has made ocean adventure much more accessible for my family.” – Tonga Island Marine Reserve snorkel participant 

In Marlborough, Conservation Kids New Zealand, Envirohub Marlborough and Te Ātiawa held their annual Explore Nature at Momorangi Bay day to celebrate Seaweek and Children’s Day! The event had 140 participants who explored important coastal habitats with a passport to visit and complete activities at each station for a stamp and entry to win a Seaweek themed prize pack!

“Our event encourages whānau to explore and learn more about our stunning moana and it’s connections to the awa, tātahi, and the surrounding ngahere at Momorangi Bay in the Queen Charlotte Sounds.” – Explore Nature at Momorangi Bay organiser 

The annual Rarangi Beach Clean Up, which began in 2014 led by Zoe Luffman, has continued in honour and remembrance of her legacy this year by Tua Marina School. Zoe was the 2021 winner of the Seaweek Ocean Champion Challange for Passionate Young Ocean Advocate. She was particularly interested in the ongoing problem of plastics in the ocean. It is wonderful to see this annual clean-up of Rarangi Beach and the surrounding area continue to make a differnece. 

Canterbury had not only the most events to celebrate Seaweek in the South Island, but the most in any one region in New Zealand this year! There were over 30 Seaweek events centered in Christchurch, Kaikoura, and Timaru with an exciting range of programmes promoting connection, learning and action for the ocean!

Seaweek 2026 in Ōtautahi was a fun-filled week of outdoor adventures and learning opportunities that piqued curiosity and connection with like-minded individuals with similar passions. Over 15 different events were put on by organisations in around the community ranging from speaker panels and discussions to litter intelligence audits and other beach clean-ups. 

Blue cradle brought the ocean to Tūranga Library in Christchurch with a full week of programmes including an incredible Seaweek Immersive Lab 360º experience for school groups and the public, a series of evening talks, and a day for discovering the moana. All of these engaged an estimated 2,000 participants to connect with the moana even while keeping their feet dry! 

Two hundred and fifty tamariki from four schools visited the immersive lab learning about marine reserves, penguin conservation, and Antarctica’s Southern Ocean. The programme combined immersive storytelling, interactive learning, and creative activities designed to deepen ocean literacy and stewardship. There were also several interactive activities including a Minecraft Education session with Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ) in collaboration with Pōhatu Penguins. The immersive space allowed participants to encounter sea creatures and explore significant ecosystems including the deep sea and Antarctica! 

“Great having such an event in the library. Excellent opportunity for schools. Great volunteer support.” – Immersive Lab participant 

Seaweek Talks were held in a three-part series, each with a different focus. First up was Ocean Science in Action followed by Telling Ocean Stories, finishing with Protection, Policy and Practice. Each evening included influential speakers and panelists, bringing together scientists, conservation practitioners, and the public to explore ocean issues from multiple perspectives. It was a great opportunity to connect, discuss meaningful topics, and learn from experts. 

One attendee noted “The expert and varied knowledge of the three speakers and the overall vibe that positive change is possible.” 

Another attendee loved “hearing from the people who are frontline and who are really pushing hard to make a change.” 

“Knowledgeable exhibitors. Really appreciated the time they took to educate and promote wildlife protection.” – Moana Discovery Day participant 

“The combination of expert talks, interactive experiences and community participation created a strong sense of connection to the ocean and demonstrated how education, science and storytelling can come together to inspire stewardship.” -Blue Cradle Seaweek events coordinator

Pōhatu Penguins/Plunge also celebrated with the Seaweek Variety Show! They had an amazing turn out at the Gaiety Hall with many incredible performances and a bake sale by Regenerate Bank Peninsula raising over $500 for the South Island Wildlife Hospital!

Estuary Trust held their annual Farewell to the Godwits at Southshore Spit Reserve with the support from Christchurch City Council and MP Reuben Davidson joining in for the celebration. A fantastic crowd of over 360 participants came together to learn, observe, and wish these impressive birds well as they prepared for their long journey north. The breeding age kuaka, bar-tailed godwits, travel an incredible 12,000km to Alaska to begin the next generation before returning to the estuary in the spring. It was a beautiful day out full of nature, music, information, poetry, good vibes & food and a meaningful chance for community connection through curiosity and conservation!  

“It’s just a lovely chance for the community to get together and celebrate this special bird and wish it well on it’s journey to Alaska.” – Farewell to the Godwits organiser 

The Sumner Coastguard hosted a Beach Clean Up for the Sumner community. This was an excellent chance for many people to get involved and give back to one our beautiful beaches in Christchurch to protect and preserve nature. The Sumner Community Residents Association & Hub also held a Children’s Art Competition including painting, mixed media, photography, and pottery, celebrating the sea and sea life!

New Brighton Library and Shirley Library held Wā Kōrero storytimes and Wā Pēpi babytimes sessions tailored to raising awareness and education around our precious ocean through music, movement and rhymes. 

“Our facilitator Kim chose Seaweek themed songs for us to sing with our pēpi. She is very knowledgeable about different movements and actions that will help our children to learn!” – Wā Pēpi babytimes participant 

Another attendee noted “the depth of research Paul has undertaken about the impact of global warming on ocean ecosystems. More people need to hear this presentation.” 

Forest & Bird Youth, Without Waste and Sustainable Coastlines collaborated for a Litter Intelligence Audit & Beach Clean Up in New Brighton. The event began with a presentation about why protecting the moana is so important, followed by the beach audit, litter data recording, networking and kai. A beautiful day out, it was amazing to see the progress made from previous litter audits and the enthusiasm from participants who particularly enjoyed meeting like-minded people. 

Highlights for the organisers were “being in the sunshine and getting lots of new people into it. No one who came had done a litter intelligence audit before, so they all learnt something new!” 

The Green Lab and Coastal Park Rangers trialled a new restoration initiative during their Help a Dune Out event focusing on coastal defence and helping safeguard our shoreline and dunes during storms. Those involved got the chance to plant spinifex seeds, remove non-native plants and came away with lots of knowledge of the nature and needs of dunes. 

“It was a beautiful day, and we placed Spinifex seed heads in the tide line. This gives a strong visual for the people using the beach. The young people who came to the event really enjoyed themselves!” – Help a Dune Out organiser

Estuary Fest was once again a beautiful celebration of our wonderful and important estuary in Ōtautahi. Through informative local and regional stalls and educational activities, the community came together to learn, celebrate and recognise the significance of the estuary. The event brought together over 25 ecological groups, including EOS Ecology, Christchurch City Council, Waterways Partnership network, EnviroHub, Estuary Trust and NZAEE, and there were over 500 participants! Attendees completed estuary passports while visiting each display and answering questions about flora & fauna.

As a part of the Estuary Fest, Conservation Volunteers (CVNZ), including a great group of international students from a local school, got to work through an Estuary Edge Clean Up, picking up 30 kg of rubbish and litter and helping preserve this amazing ecosystem. Overall, Estuary Fest was a hit once again! People loved the relaxed and educational vibe, the variety of things to do, plus entertainment, food!

“Fantastic range of activities and a beautiful day!” – Estuary Fest participant

People involved with the event loved “connecting with others who are passionate about our kaitiaki role for the environment” and how people were “genuinely interested in the topics.”

“The vibe was just so uplifting, the whole day was a highlight!” – Estuary Fest organiser

Swim for Our Seas at the Kaikōura Aquatic Centre with the Kaikōura Ocean Research Institute (KORI) was a chance for the community to come together to swim for a cause! Participants were challenged to swim for as long as they could over a four-hour period. Participants loved the event’s fun and inclusive atmosphere and the ocean related activities! 

The coordinator of Swim for Our Seas loved, “the supporters and participants cheering each other on and people exceeding their own expectations and goals!”

Local artist Dani Spencer ran an Eye Level Photography and Art Competition and Exhibition exploring themes around connecting to and experiencing the environment. Artwork from the competition was displayed at the Mayfair Arts and Culture Centre in Kaikōura, and local wildlife tour experiences were available as prizes, including tours from Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura, Albatross Kaikoura, and Seal Swim Kaikoura!

At Fyffe House, there was an Instinctual Pathways Albatross Exhibition, featuring artworks by local artist Susie Baker. This exhibition was made in collaboration with marine biologist Barbara Todd to celebrate and raise awareness for albatross. Also at Fyffe House, there was an Installation on the Lawn exploring challenges facing seabirds with artwork from local schools. An Albatross Talk on Kaikōura’s albatross with Barbaba Todd and Gary Melville was held at the Kaikōura Museum. Another talk offered a glimpse to Life Behind The Lens with wildlife cameraman Doug Allen at The Mayfair Theatre, who worked on Blue Planet & Planet Earth!  

In Timaru, an exciting range of events featuring fantastic hosts from local organisations and businesses was coordinated by the South Canterbury Eco Centre to bring the community together for the celebration! Events were truly a collaborative effort and reflected a common goal of connecting people with the moana. A Snap & Win competition was held where community members shared photos of their favourite ways to enjoy the moana, plus events featuring activities and interactive games such as those at Children’s Day.

The Experience Waka Ama at Caroline Bay with Te Aitarakihi Marae a Iwi and Waitaha Paddling Club event was a huge success! Over 150 people were able to try out Waka Ama guided by an experienced crew! Such a wonderful way to kick off Seaweek Timaru!

The organisers were grateful for “the sense of awe – for our community, our beautiful environment, the sea and for the power of sunrise.” 

At Waitarakao, the community came together for two great events, a clean-up and bioblitz! At the Waitarakao Beach Clean Up, with hosts Our Waitarakao and support from Alpine Energy and Lions, around 50 people took good care of the coastline collecting tyres, plastic bottles, fishing line, rope, balloons and some fascinating animal finds. Participants left with a great sense of achievement through their hard work and connection through conversation.

At the iNaturalist Bioblitz at Waitarakao Rocky Shore, Andrea from the South Canterbury Museum shared knowledge and experience with local citizen scientist participants as they discovered an exciting range of sea creatures!

Seaweek on the West Coast was celebrated with the Department of Conservation through fantastic immersive school programmes as well as a  Talk and Walk, How to Look at a Beach event along Hokitika Beach with Don Neale, West Coast Marine Ranger. It was lovely to see how much interest there was from the community, which made for such a wonderful experience connecting with each other and with this stunning stretch of coastline.

The start of Seaweek in Otago was celebrated with a Seaweek-themed Marine Encounters tour of the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre at Portobello!

“Incredibly informative, wonderful guide. Touch tanks at the end a great thrill for our son. So great to spark the young ones up regarding protecting marine life.” – Marine Encounters participant.

A Create a Sand Sculpture Sea Creature event with Forest & Bird South Otago, South Otago Kiwi Conservation Club, was great fun with prizes for winning sculptures! Organisers loved how the children would chat with them about their favourite sea creatures as they collected shells and other materials to complete their sculptures. They also enjoyed connecting with the adults about some of the issues facing the ocean.   

“Those who took part in the sculpting had a whale of time! They made amazing sculptures of starfish, mermaids, penguins, octopuses, squid and even prehistoric mosasaurs.  – Create a Sand Sculpture Sea Creature organiser

We are so grateful to all of the organisations, organisers, collaborators, supporters, and everyone who participated in Seaweek! It was fantastic seeing so many communities across the South Island celebrate the ocean this year. Finally, we thank the Rātā Foundation for continuing to support Seaweek across the top of the South Island. We are so excited to continue growing Seaweek across all of these communities and more in 2027! Ngā mihi nui!