OIA25-0541
21 August 2025
RC
[FYI request #31776 email]
Dear RC
Thank you for your email of 28 July 2025 requesting ocean temperature data collected from fixed-
site locations. Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
You requested the following:
I am seeking information on whether the Ministry for Primary Industries holds any water
temperature data collected by sensors fixed in place (for example, moorings, buoys or
loggers) within New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone. If such datasets exist, please
advise:
•
The sampling frequency or interval between measurements (e.g., minutes or
hours);
•
The geographic location(s) or area(s) where the sensors are deployed.
I am not requesting copies of the data themselves; I simply wish to know whether the
data exists and, if so, the sampling rate and geographic coverage.
Fisheries New Zealand does not hold any ocean temperature data collected from fixed-place
water sensors. Therefore, your request is refused under section 18(g)(i) of the OIA on the
grounds that the information is not held by the Department.
Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA) is the agency most likely to either collect this
data. We suggest you direct your request to them. Below are some links on ocean health
monitoring that may be useful.
•
https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/sea-surface-temperature-update
•
https://environment.govt.nz/assets/publications/monitoring-ocean-health.pdf
In addition, t
he Moana Project is a 5-year $11.5 mil ion MBIE Endeavour ocean research
initiative. It aims to improve understanding of coastal ocean circulation, connectivity and
marine heatwaves to provide information that supports New Zealand’s seafood industry.
Should you have any concerns with this response, I would encourage you to raise these with
the Ministry for Primary Industries a
t [email address]. Alternatively, you
are advised of your right to also raise any concerns with the Office of the Ombudsman.
Contact details are: Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143 or at
[email address].
Yours sincerely
Simon Lawrence
Director, Science and Information
Charles Fergusson Building, 38–42 Bowen Street
PO Box 2526
Wel ington 6140, New Zealand
fisheries.govt.nz
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