Kia ora from the Kaikōura Ocean Research Institute!

We are a network of marine researchers and educators who are committed to protecting what is here in Kaikōura.

Since 2012, the Kaikōura Ocean Research Institute Inc. has conducted meaningful scientific research on Kaikōura’s marine environment, and the animals that live within it, with the aim of increasing scientific and public understanding of local species, and the threats which face them.

We believe that this combination of research and education is key to the conservation of the marine wildlife we have here in Kaikōura, some of which is already critically endangered.

Read our Annual Report, Learn more about what we do, and hear the latest news.

With just a few days to go until Swim For Our Seas – Community Swim Day, we’d love your support in helping make this a fantastic community event.

The swim is happening Sunday 15 March, 10:00am–2:00pm at the Kaikōura Aquatic Centre, and is a relaxed, donation-based fundraiser supporting both the Kaikōura Aquatic Centre and the Kaikōura Ocean Research Institute (KORI). All funds raised will be split equally between the two organisations.

There are several easy ways your business can support the event:

• Attend – bring your team, whānau, or friends along for a swim
• Share the event with colleagues, customers, and your wider networks
• Post the poster or info flyer on your social media pages or include it in your newsletter
• Donate to help us reach our fundraising goal

It would be great if participants could register in advance, but people are also very welcome to register on the day and just jump in and swim.

Or support the event anytime via the Donate Now button on our website:
www.kaikouraaquaticcentre.nz

We’ll also have a sausage sizzle, thanks to Property Brokers for the BBQ trailer and Middlehurst Station Farm Store for the delicious sausages.

Prize Draw
Every registered participant goes into the prize draw. Huge thanks to the businesses who have generously donated prizes:

Donegal House – 5 × $10 vouchers
Kaikōura Air – 30 minute flight
The Pier – $50 voucher
Kaikōura Physio – 40 minute massage
Sauna Project – Sauna session for two
South Pacific – 30 minute flight
Emporium – Escape Room voucher
Emporium – Family Mini Golf
Lavendyl – High Tea for 4
Strawberry Tree – 2 × $50 vouchers
Zipline – Double Pass

The weather forecast is looking fantastic. Fine conditions, light winds, and a high of 21°C, which is perfect swimming weather.

KORI will also be onsite with activities for tamariki and adults, sharing information about one of Kaikōura’s greatest natural assets…our ocean. After all, it’s one of the biggest reasons many of us choose to live in and visit this incredible place.

Thanks so much for supporting this local initiative, we’d love to see you there.

Registrations are CLOSED! We booked out within minutes… sorry everyone!
Thank you so much for your interest and we will definitely run this again as soon as possible.

Copy, paste and complete the Google form below to register your interest in the Young Marine Biologists Programme!

https://forms.gle/EiQBbEK9nvDmgcgp7

Please be aware that space for this pilot programme is very limited. If you miss out this time, we will add you to a waitlist for the next round!

The South Pacific Helicopters Great Kaikōura Whale Count 2025 is complete!!

How many whales were spotted throughout the South Pacific Helicopters The Great Kaikōura Whale Count 2025?? How many volunteers? How many hours spotting? How many species of cetacean?

In addition to South Pacific Helicopters, our main sponsor for 2025, this community project was made fabulous this year thanks to: Florence Rappin, Gabriele Tosetti, All our Beautiful Volunteers, Fyffe House, Seaweek, Emporium Brewing, Mayfair Theatre, Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura, Envirohub Marlborough – Conservation Kids NZ, Kaikōura Museum, Wings Over Whales, Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura, Constanza Victoria Reid Reyes, And of course, all the whales who graced us with their presence