MARINE RESEARCH & EDUCATION
IN NORTHLAND / TE TAI TOKERAU
Bay of Islands, Aotearoa New Zealand
Marine Science Academy
One academy. Three pathways. Find your next step
Choose your starting point
Practical marine science pathways in the Bay of Islands—tiered from discovering the marine environment, to building professional field skills and conducting your own study.
Develop and deliver your own marine research project with guidance, field support and access to specialist equipment.
Small cohorts • Hands-on teaching • Bay of Islands-based
Learning by doing
We deliver hands-on marine education programmes across Northland — from our own programmes, to visiting university field courses and internship programmes.
Our education work connects people directly with marine science, mātauranga Māori and coastal stewardship, while supporting real-world research and monitoring programmes. Programmes are delivered in close partnership with iwi, government agencies and research organisations, ensuring learning is grounded in place while connecting students with wider networks.
Built on years of marine education
Visiting field programmes
Wildlands Studies — 2022-ongoing
15–20 students per intake · Multi-day field programmes · Repeated annual cohorts
A multi-day field programme that blends environmental science with local cultural knowledge.
Students are introduced to local tikanga and take part in workshops such as rāranga and rongoā, before heading into the field to design and run monitoring projects — including surveys of kina barrens, species sightings and coastal habitats.
The programme also explores how marine management works in Aotearoa, from rāhui and mātaitai to marine reserves and the Quota Management System. Each visit is adapted to the group’s l
earning goals, and has included everything from ecological monitoring to conservation activities at Aroha Island.
Partnered student placements — 2018 – ongoing
17 students hosted to date · Curriculum-linked placements · Long-term institutional partnerships
We work with tertiary institutions and training organisations to host small cohorts of students undertaking required field placements as part of their formal qualifications.
These partnerships have included international veterinary programmes such as ENVT (France) alongside regional workforce initiatives including Heteri a Nuku, typically working with two students at a time on tailored, high-impact field experiences.
By building long-term relationships with partner organisations, we are able to refine programme design over time — creating placements that meet curriculum requirements while giving students genuine exposure to applied marine research, field operations and conservation delivery.
Employment-focused training programmes
Marine Kaitiaki Programme — “Kick-start your marine career” (2022–2024)
21 graduates · 6-months full time programme · Jobs for Nature funded
A flagship, three-year Jobs for Nature–funded programme delivered with the BOIMMS Rōpū, designed to support rangatahi into marine careers.
Across the programme, 21 students undertook intensive training covering marine biology, research methods, diving, vessel operations, government processes and mātauranga Māori — alongside real-world field placements.
Participant feedback consistently described the experience as life-changing, with graduates going on to further study and employment across the marine and environmental sectors.
MSD-supported workforce training programmes — 2025
23 graduates · 3 to 6 weeks full-time · Maritime & aquaculture pathways
We delivered three contracted training programmes for the Ministry of Social Development, focused on employment pathways in areas such as commercial skippering, eco-tourism operations and aquaculture.
These courses combined practical qualifications, sea time and industry exposure, helping participants transition into maritime and coastal careers.
Internships & professional placements
Individual internships & professional placements
1–2 interns at a time · Embedded in live projects · One-to-one mentoring
Alongside structured programmes, we host a small number of individual interns and early-career practitioners at any one time, embedding them directly within our research, vessel operations and education delivery.
Interns take part in the full rhythm of our work — from field surveys and data processing in the office to community events, hui and on-water education.
Because numbers are kept small (typically one or two at a time), placements are highly personal and mentorship-driven, with extensive one-on-one teaching and supervision.
These opportunities are offered when project timing and funding allow.
Mission Statement
TriOceans (Tangaroa Research Institute) conducts high-quality marine research and delivers field-based marine education, weaving mātauranga Māori with modern science to support thriving coastal ecosystems in Te Tai Tokerau.
Our Research in Te Tai Tokerau
Our work began with marine mammals—and they remain our core research specialism. Years of long-term monitoring in the Bay of Islands have built deep experience in vessel-based surveys, behavioural research, photo-identification, acoustics and photogrammetry.
From that foundation, our work has expanded into benthic and wider coastal research, responding to the needs of hapū, government agencies and research partners across Northland. Along the way, we have developed a versatile field capability that includes above- and below-water photogrammetry systems, towed and fixed hydrophones, theodolites, ROVs, BRUVs and other specialist survey equipment.
Our goal is to promote kaitiakitanga through a deeper understanding of the marine environment: discovering through research and sharing through education. Our work supports DOC, hapū, councils and research partners, while feeding directly into our education programmes.
3000+
Survey hours at sea logged
500+
Pages of Technical & Scientific Reporting
17
Research interns hosted
180+
Field Courses Students
Explore the Bay of Islands – Day trips
Private charters in the Bay of Islands
Vessel charters
Private charters in the Bay of Islands
Book the TriOceans research vessel for your own private day on the water. Shape the charter around your group—explore the bays and islands, arrange coastal transport, visit a favourite location, undertake photography or support a field project. Explore the bay your way, and learn about the history, culture, and environment along the way.
Charters are primarily available within the Bay of Islands, with departures elsewhere between Doubtless Bay and Whangārei available by arrangement. Additional vessel travel and relocation costs may apply outside the Bay of Islands.
Half day — up to 4 hours: $650 per group
Full day — up to 7 hours: $950 per group
Additional time available upon request
Prices include GST and a qualified skipper, for up to 6 passengers. Pick up is available anywhere in the Bay of Islands. Routes and activities are subject to weather, sea conditions, vessel operating limits and skipper approval.
Enquire about a private charter → info@trioceans.org
Marine Science Explorer
Private charters in the Bay of Islands
See the Bay of Islands through a marine biologist’s eyes.
Join TriOceans for a private four-hour journey aboard our research vessel, combining some of the Bay’s iconic locations with marine ecology, seabirds, coastal habitats and hands-on exploration.
Travel through the islands towards Nine Pin, Cape Brett and Motukōkako/Hole in the Rock when conditions allow. Along the way, learn how marine biologists observe and understand the environment before stopping in a suitable sheltered location to deploy our underwater ROV and discover what lies beneath the surface.
Designed for curious locals, families and visitors. No previous experience needed
Duration: approximately 4 hours
Private experience for up to six passengers: $900 per group
Prices include GST and a qualified skipper, for up to 6 passengers, as well as relevant marine research equipment (ROV, hydrophones, BRUV, photogrammetry rigs, and more). Pick up is available anywhere in the Bay of Islands. Routes and activities are subject to weather, sea conditions, vessel operating limits and skipper approval
Enquire about the Marine Science Explorer → info@trioceans.org
Aroha Island — Our Headquarters
Place-based marine science in Te Tai Tokerau
TriOceans is headquartered on Aroha Island in the Bay of Islands, where we operate in close partnership with mana whenua through Ngāti Mau and Ngā Kaitiaki o te Motu Aroha Trust.
This partnership shapes how we work — embedding kaitiakitanga, tikanga and long-term stewardship into our marine research, education programmes and field operations across Northland.
Our developing base on the island supports marine field courses, community learning and long-term ecological monitoring, while remaining a low-impact, conservation-focused presence within the rohe.
Stay at Aroha Island
Community Education
Discover the TriOceans Education Trust
We believe marine education is most powerful when it is shaped with and for our communities—building the knowledge, confidence and practical capability people need to care for their own marine environment.
After years of providing free school visits, community events and small education programmes, demand for this work continued to grow. In 2023, we established the TriOceans Education Trust to give our community work a dedicated charitable home. Since then, the Trust has delivered multiple free initiatives across Northland and continues to create opportunities for people to learn, participate and build their capability in marine science and kaitiakitanga.
