The governments of New Zealand and Australia have agreed for the first time to collaborate on marine research.
Kim Carr, Australia’s outgoing innovation minister, and Martyn Dunne, the New Zealand High Commissioner, signed the agreement on 9 December.
The Arrangement on Marine Observation aims to improve collaboration between the two countries on marine research, observations and data management.
New Zealand members of the steering committee include representatives of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, GNS Science, and the University of Otago.
“This strategic initiative will provide us with a working platform for our common areas of interest such as the Tasman Sea, Pacific Ocean and the Southern Ocean. Additionally, it will assist our countries to better understand and monitor natural variability and changes in the marine environment in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Charlotte Severne, leader of the NZ delegation and NIWA’s chief scientist.