Kaikoura Marine Centre & Aquarium

21/08/2022

Firstly I would like to say thank you to all of our loyal followers who have stuck with me through the years while I fight on in the background to try to re-establish our incredible wee facility. Following seven attempts to rebuild within Kaikoura, I am feeling utterly exhausted. Business plan after business plan, proposal after proposal has been met with nothing but brick walls and indifference. I am exhausted - I have been remiss in posting updates since the earthquake, simply because I have been working so hard behind the scenes to get something moving. I am sorry to say that I still have not had any luck. In an effort to try to raise some awareness about what we are trying to do for Kaikoura, our community, and our incredible environment I have attached the latest proposal I have put forward. I submitted this on behalf of the Kaikoura Marine Centre & Aquarium Trust in October last year - with the aim of rebuilding at the original site of the old Aquarium (exactly where we were when the earthquake hit in 2016). I appreciate anyone who can take the time to read it and share with family and friends.

The Kaikoura Marine Centre & Aquarium Trust is a not-for-profit trust that will be registered as an official charity as soon as I have the means to do so. We believe that when it comes to education, conservation, and the environment - no individual should be profiting. That is why we established the trust back in 2017 - to ensure that any profit derived from our work goes exactly where it should; to our community, our environment, and our future.

I am tired. I have been fighting for our future for 6 years. I am yet to see a single cent from my insurance company, despite being fully covered at the time of the quake. I am tired of fighting for what I believe in while our wetlands disappear, our animals and their habitats decline, and we exploit the very world we rely on to sustain us.

That is not to say I am giving up. I will keep fighting. But for now I just need you awesome people to show me some of your best fishy memes/jokes to cheer me up.

Also a big THANK YOU to everyone for being so awesome and sticking it out through these tough times. I really, really appreciate having you guys behind me - it keeps me going at times like these.

02/12/2021

Supprise! We are still here, and 5 years on we are still trying to re-establish our awesome wee gem (but even better than before!)
Stay tuned for updates on our progress! In the meantime, have a look at what our Director has been busy doing while she tries to Rebuild the Kaikoura Aquarium!

You may also find her crafting beautiful jewellery, tapping the piano keys, or pouring an awesome flat white.

18/10/2018

Well this is exciting! It's great to see we are still making strides on rebuilding after the earthquake! Remember, if you are popping in to see the seals to keep a respectful distance so you don't stress them out (we do not recommend trying to get selfies with the little guys - no matter how cute they are). And please take all your rubbish away with you when you go! :-)

New lookout spot near waterfall nursery opens in time for Labour Day weekend travellers on SH1.

08/10/2018

Happy World Octopus day! 🐙

To celebrate (October 8!) we've put together some facts you may not know about Te Wheke and Pinnoctopus cordiformis.

Octopus Guardians of the Kāpiti Marine Reserve Island Bay Marine Education Centre Stuff nzherald.co.nz Department of Conservation Science Learning Hub Wellington Underwater Club

13/08/2018

How absolutely gorgeous! There is still so much for us to discover about our oceans 😍

We’re starting off the week on an incredibly positive note with the announcement of a new species of pygmy seahorse discovered off the coast of Japan – and

05/08/2018

Fingers crossed for a positive outcome 💙

11/07/2018

Here's a fantastic overview of the status of Kaikoura's marine life following the earthquake! Some mixed news, but overall we are optimistic for a full recovery (it's still early days). Hope everyone is having a great week 💙

The earthquake destroyed one of the world's most productive seafloor ecosystems, but tiny creatures are making a comeback.

10/07/2018

Some fun facts about the southern right whale currently making itself home in Wellington harbour! Thanks NIWA! 🐳

07/07/2018

Sad news today with the beaching of a S***m whale at Marfells beach in Marlborough. The whale has been confirmed as deceased. Rest easy little guy 🐳

15/06/2018

Here's something a bit different! 🐍

The sightings of tropical sea creatures in Tauranga waters has marine experts amazed.

17/04/2018

Well this has some potentially exciting implications 😮

Just two years ago, researchers stumbled across a mutant plastic-eating bacteria that had evolved in a Japanese trash dump. Now, scientists have harnessed