Using an underwater camera with 360, we have captured footage of New Zealand's marine environments, and the unique and rare species and habitats that call NZ waters home.

This is the first in a series as we collect footage from marine reserves across the country. 

Taputeranga Marine Reserve in 360, Wellington

Filmed: November 2020

In this video, you will see butterfish, blue moki and marblefish drifting in and out of the seaweeds. You will also see smaller pickers such as spotty, banded and scarlet wrasse. Long finger reefs separated by gravel filled channels run offshore.

Keep an eye out for the inquisitive blue cod checking out the camera.

Taputeranga's marine environment

Over 180 fish species have been recorded along Wellington’s south coast. Octopus, rock lobsters, crabs and starfish are common. Anemones, sea sponges and sea squirts thrive. There's plenty of beaches and rocky shores to explore at low tide:

No two days are the same at Taputeranga - the weather is changeable and the water churns through Cook Strait, creating a moody and complex undersea environment.

The reserve lies along Wellington's exposed southern coastline. It is swept by strong tidal currents that bring nutrients from Cook Strait. It is also pounded by swells from the Southern Ocean. This creates ideal growing conditions for seaweeds, particularly large brown seaweeds such as kelp.

Kelp can grow up to 20 m tall in sheltered places such as Island Bay. About 400 species of seaweed have been recorded within this reserve.