The international meeting for marine geological and biological habitat mapping is expecting to attract approximately 200 scientists.
“It’s an extraordinary opportunity to bring our international community to a region of such cultural and ecological richness,” said GeoHab president, Dr Mary Young, who works for Deakin University in Australia.
“New Zealand has long been a hub for innovation in marine geological and habitat mapping and hosting the conference in New Zealand will strengthen collaborations across the Asia Pacific.
“It’s an ideal setting to highlight the value of marine mapping in supporting sustainable ocean management and to inspire the next generation of researchers working to learn about and protect our oceans.”
The successful bid was led by Dr Sally Watson, a marine geophysicist at Earth Sciences New Zealand and the University of Auckland.
Tourism New Zealand Business Events supported the bid as part of a collaboration with the Geoscience Society of New Zealand that aims to bring more geoscience meetings to New Zealand.
“Marine mapping informs the way we use ocean resources, and ways to protect them,” said Watson.
“Things are moving so quickly in terms of climate change and its impact on our marine ecosystems.
“If we don’t know what’s there, we cannot manage it.
“In New Zealand we are so heavily reliant on the ocean for a range of activities and livelihoods. It makes sense to host an international conference focusing on the marine zone here, right on the doorstep of the Bay of Islands.
“New Zealand is home to world-class marine environments and does leading research in this field. New Zealand is a natural laboratory for geologists. We have almost every geological setting available. It is super unique.”
While the GoeHab meeting is usually held in the Northern Hemisphere, it was been held in Australia twice and once before in New Zealand – in Wellington in 2010.
“Paihia’s beautiful marine environment offers incredible experiential opportunities for this conference – both for learning and for leisure,” said Tourism New Zealand’s global manager for business events, Penelope Ryan.
“This dual appeal makes New Zealand an ideal choice for geoscience conference organisers and helps attract delegates.”
