Kia ora Supporters,

We're busy preparing for Seaweek 2027, which will take place from 6 to 14 March, with a new theme celebrating our local ecosystems and native species. Check out the rest of this newsletter to learn more!

🌊 Mapping Ocean Literacy in Aotearoa

🐬 Seaweek 2027

🌟 Keep NZ Beautiful Clean Up Week
🐋 Kaikōura Whale Count

🐧 Bird of the Year

Mapping Ocean Literacy in Aotearoa survey

Take part in our Mapping Ocean Literacy in Aotearoa survey with the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO!

This survey for teachers and educators is an opportunity to help us better understand teachers' awareness, confidence, resource use, and support needs regarding ocean literacy education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Seaweek 2027!

Seaweek 2027 will take place between 6 and 14 March, with a new theme: Uniquely New Zealand! With this theme, we will celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand's local ecosystems and native species to appreciate our unique marine environment and its interconnection with the global ocean.

Check out our Creature Content learning resources to learn more about some of Aotearoa's native and endemic marine species.

With Seaweek 2027 now 7 months away, this is the perfect time to start thinking about planning an event!

You can find our event planning guide and other resources to support you in coordinating a Seaweek event on our Organisers Hub, or you can contact us at seaweek@merc.org.nz for any additional questions.

Also, check out our summaries of Seaweek all around Aotearoa, across the North Island, and across the South Island to read about how communities celebrated the ocean this year and inspire your planning for Seaweek 2027.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean Up Week

Keep New Zealand Beautiful's national Clean Up Week is coming up soon, from 18-25 September!

This nationwide event is a fantastic opportunity to participate in a local clean-up or organise a clean-up in your community.

Great Kaikōura Whale Count 2026

The results of Kaikōura Ocean Research Institute's (KORI) annual Great Kaikōura Whale Count were announced at the end of July at the Kaikōura Whale Festival!

The Great Whale Count involved 88 volunteers, who observed hundreds of cetaceans along the Kaikōura coast. This year's observations included a record 228 humpback whales, as well as 51 sperm whales, 3 minke whales, 3 fin whales, and hundreds of dusky dolphins.

Bird of the Year

Voting for Bird of the Year opens tomorrow! This annual election by Forest & Bird raises awareness for Aotearoa New Zealand's incredible diversity of birds and the threats they face.

This Bird of the Year, we're backing all seabirds and seashore birds! New Zealand has nearly 90 seabird species and nearly 40 endemic species, which makes us the seabird capital of the world.

Unfortunately, 90% of our seabird species and 82% of our shorebird species are threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened.

Learn more about seabirds featured in our creature content and on our blog, and vote to raise awareness for your favourite species in Bird of the Year.

As always, thank YOU for your support! Our heartfelt thanks to many individuals and organisations - together we are connecting more people to the sea and inspiring community action.

Seaweek is made possible through grants, the generosity of national supporters, and a network of talented volunteer regional coordinators. Massive thanks to all contributors, sponsors and our funders; Foundation North, the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, and Rātā Foundation.

Copyright (C) 2025 Sir Peter Blake MERC. All rights reserved.
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Sir Peter Blake MERC
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