Search for new species in the Kermadec Islands
An intrepid, 20-day expedition to find new species of animal and plant life, set sail to the Kermadec Islands on 10 May 2011.
An experienced research team - led by Dr Tom Trnski, marine curator at Auckland Museum - left Tauranga on the research vessel Braveheart.
Thanks to the region's isolation and that it is relatively unexplored, the prediction by Dr Tom Trnski was that:
Masked booby on nest, Kermadec Islands
"New discoveries will be made on the Kermadec expedition"
The team was made up of scientists from Auckland Museum, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, NIWA, Australian Museum and DOC.
The DOC members were:
- Marine scientist, Clinton Duffy
- Plants specialist, Peter de Lange
- Invertebrate ecologist, Warren Chinn
Curtis Island, Kermadec Islands
An underwater photographer, scientific communicator and journalist (RNZ's Alison Ballance), and a film-maker were also part of the 20-strong crew. This meant we got great coverage of the trip.
Find out what happened
Team members posted regular blogs, videos and images throughout their time in the Kermadecs.
This includes some spectacular, underwater filming - a rare chance to see for yourself the wonders of this amazing corner of the world.
Read about their adventures or find out more by visiting kermadec.aucklandmuseum.com