PROJECTS /
Project Summary
Deficiencies in data are making protection difficult
Public sightings are providing vital information
650+ manta sightings reported in New Zealand waters
With powerful wingspans of up to seven metres wide, these ocean wanderers don’t let their enormous two-tonne frame weigh them down, gracefully flying across the Pacific. Big brained and highly social, these New Zealand manta are unsung champions – holding the triple crown for the longest recorded migration path, deepest recorded dive and going to the coldest water ever recorded for any manta.
Mātauranga Māori shows Aotearoa has been a home for te whai rahi for centuries, yet a lot of mystery still surrounds these manta. The research team at Manta Watch New Zealand, led by Lydia Green are working hard to find answers. By bringing together knowledge, tracking data and public sightings, they’re developing a clear picture of the population size, movements, and the role of New Zealand’s waters in the manta’s lifecycle.
IN NUMBERS
manta tracked via satellite tags to help scientists better understand New Zealand’s role in the manta’s lifecycle
verified sightings of oceanic manta rays in New Zealand waters from 1994-2024
Deepest recorded dive of an oceanic manta - far deeper than scientists previously thought they could go
Longest journey recorded, from Whangaroa New Zealand to Fiji
Lydia Green
Founder – Manta Watch Aotearoa New Zealand
Manta Watch Aotearoa New Zealand Founded by Lydia Green
Longest Migration Recorded
Emmy the Manta’s record-breaking 1,982km, 52 day journey from Whangaroa, New Zealand to Fiji is recorded by Manta Watch Aotearoa. She was sighted again near Te Hauturu-ō-Toi Little Barrier Island the following summer, providing much-needed evidence that her presence in New Zealand is both intentional and a key location in her annual migration.
This breakthrough unlocked more questions than answers, highlighting how much more there is to learn around migration routes if we are to identify risks and implement protection measures.
Deepest Dive Recorded
Not only did Emmy win the record for the longest migration, she also took the prize for the deepest dive – recorded reaching 1,248 metres!
This is far deeper than previously thought and while many marine species spend time in these zones, we know relatively little about them. Learning what the manta are doing when they go deep could help researchers monitor the overall health and changes within these ecosystems.
Presentation at Shark International Conference in Valencia
Partnership with Live Ocean
Live Ocean Foundation partners with Manta Watch Aotearoa New Zealand to support Lydia Green’s research and educate Kiwis about these ocean giants.
Connecting Sport with Science
Live Ocean Racing athletes had the experience of a lifetime, joining Lydia Green on a manta sighting mission to learn about her work first-hand, and understand more about the oceanic manta found in New Zealand waters.
Seven Sharp Story
This story featured Jono Ridler swimming with oceanic manta rays, drawing public attention to the incredible life that can be found in the Hauraki Gulf ahead of the Swim4TheGulf.
Manta Watch Movie Roadshow
Lydia took her Manta Watch short film roadshow to towns across the North Island, hosting 14 screenings to educate and raise awareness around the important role manta play in New Zealand’s oceanic ecosystems.
11 satellite trackers are deployed with the support of Live Ocean.
This data has shown manta are active within Tīkapa Moana the Hauraki Gulf, with one foraging near the Hauraki Gulf’s coast and busy shipping lanes, providing crucial evidence required for enhancing protections for oceanic mantas and other species in New Zealand waters.
First ever aerial manta survey completed.
This survey successfully spotted 17 manta in the Hauraki Gulf re-enforcing the manta are here and manta season has started!
In early 2023 Live Ocean Foundation partnered with Manta Watch New Zealand to support Lydia’s research and educate Kiwis about these ocean giants. Live Ocean funded the deployment of 11 satellite trackers to monitor manta movements over the 2023-2024 summer season.
Tracking data has shown manta are active within Tīkapa Moana the Hauraki Gulf, with one foraging near the Hauraki Gulf’s coast and busy shipping lanes. This data is crucial for enhancing protections for oceanic mantas and other species in New Zealand waters.
The best time of year to spot manta around Northern Aotearoa is between November and April.
If you’re lucky enough to see one of these majestic giants while out on the moana, please let the Manta Watch team know.
Photos are incredibly valuable, especially of their belly, when it comes to helping identify individuals, so if it’s safe for you and the marine life to grab a pic please do.
Founder, Manta Watch Aotearoa New Zealand
Lydia is an experienced marine ecologist and has worked with manta rays since 2013. She has researched manta ray populations in Fiji, Mexico, the Maldives and New Zealand .
Lydia founded Manta Watch New Zealand Charitable Trust and has been Project Manager since its creation in 2017. She has extensive knowledge of oceanic manta rays in NZ waters and manages the project’s sightings and photo ID databases
She is also an experienced marine educator and is MWANZ’s main contact for community engagement and outreach programs.
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