Chemical monitoring of sediments in estuaries within the Waikato region for Waikato Regional Council. Sampling sites are located in the Firth of Thames, Whaingaroa (Raglan ) Harbour, Port Waikato, Aotea Harbour, Kawhia Harbour and Tairua Harbour. Sampling frequency = every 5 years. Sampling began in 2003 (not at all sites) and is ongoing, but irregular. Number of sites = 103 total; 10 sites have been monitored twice, and 93 sites sampled once so far. Extent of site = 10,000m2 (100m x 100m). Number of replicates = 12 per site. Measured variables = Sediment characteristics (cadmium, nickel, lead, zinc, chromium, copper, arsenic, organics, antimony, mercury and silver). Sampling protocol & QA = Internal sampling protocol. All analysis on the sediment samples was undertaken on the sub-2mm fraction of the sediments and was conducted by Hills Laboratories

Water quality monitoring of coastal waters within the Bay of Plenty region for Environment Bay of Plenty. Sampling sites are representative of harbours and estuaries throughout the region. Sampling frequency = 2monthly. Sampling began in 1990 and is ongoing. Number of sites = 30 total (27 high tide sites of which 21 are current and 3 low tide sites). Number of replicates = 1 per site. Measured variables = Water quality: salinity, conductivity, DO%, DOmg/l, temp, PH, E coli, Enterococci, faecal coliforms, TP, DRP, TN, NNN, NH4, Chlorophyll a, turbidity, suspended solids and black disc. Sampling protocol & QA = Internal sampling protocol using MoH/MfE Guidelines

Physical and biological monitoring of estuaries within the Tasman district for Tasman District Council. Sampling sites are located in Ruataniwha, Motupipi, Moutere and Waimea estuaries and Motueka Delta. Sampling frequency = annual (spring or summer). Sampling began in 2002 and is ongoing. Number of sites = 4 total. Extent of site = 1800m2 (60m x 30m). Number of replicates = 10 infaunal cores and 5 replicate sediment samples per site. Measured variables = Infaunal communities (species identified to lowest taxonomic level possible and enumerated). Epifaunal quadrat (0.25m2). Sediment characteristics: basic grain size, ash free dry weight, redox (in field), nitrogen, phosphorus, cadmium, nickel, lead, zinc, chromium and copper (ICPMS). Sediment erosion/deposition (cm/y): depth of sediment layer measured (using 4 concrete plates buried at most sites). Sampling protocol & QA = Benthic and sediment sampling use similar methods to those outlined by Robertson et al. (2002). Internal QA procedures. Larger fauna are indentified internally with small and cryptic animals sent to external taxonomic experts. Basic sediment grain size = 2mm & 63µm sieves, gravimetric (% gravel, sand, and silt)

Physical and biological monitoring of rocky reefs within the Auckland region for Auckland Regional Council. Sampling sites are located in Waitemata Harbour (Meola Reef), East Coast Bays, Leigh, Tawharanui and Mokohinau Islands. Sampling frequency = annual for ecology (Meola intertidal in Oct, all subtidal reefs in Feb/Mar) and 6weekly for sediment. Sampling began in 1998 (not at all sites) and is ongoing, except for Leigh and Mokohinau Islands which have not been sampled since 2010. Number of sites = Meola subtidal (6), intertidal (5), Little Manly, Long Bay, Torbay, Campbells Bay (5 each), Leigh, Tawharanui, Mokohinau Islands (1 each). Note intertidal ecological data was also collected at Long Bay, Torbay, Mairangi Bay and Browns Bay until 2006. Number of replicates = Varies depending on location; Meola, Little Manly, Long Bay, Torbay and Campbells Bay subtidal (7 quadrats + 1 sediment trap per site), Meola intertidal (10 permanent quadrat locations per site). Leigh, Tawharanui, Mokohinau Islands (5 quadrats at 2-4 depth strata (0-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-15m). Measured variables = Macrofaunal communities (visual observer counts and measures using 1m2 quadrat). Sediment characteristics. Sampling protocol & QA = Internal sampling protocol, University of Auckland laboratories. Uniservices internal QA procedures.

The beach database contains data from surveys of beaches which are used to monitor the population size and length structure of selected shellfish species at various beaches within the inter-tidal zone. Traditionally, these surveys have been done for toheroa (Paphies ventricosa), but have also included cockles (Austrovenus stutchburyi), large wedge shells (Macomona liliana), pipi (Paphies australis), tuatua (Paphies subtriangulata) and sea lettuce (Ulva). Sampling protocol. Predominately, beaches are sampled with transect lines, with samples dug from quadrats along the transect line, and the beach material sieved for shellfish. Sampled data are from 1969. Data collection is ongoing. Sampling frequency: variable. Lat/Long provided for some data. Sampling sites range from Ninety Mile Beach in the north to Te Waewae Bay in the south, including the Bay of Plenty. Sampling methods: core, quadrat, transect

Biological monitoring of intertidal reefs deemed as significant conservation areas or areas of interest within the Hawke's Bay region for Hawke's Bay Regional Council. Sampling frequency = annual (Nov). Sampling began in 2008 and is ongoing. Number of sites = 2 reefs Extent of site = Cross-shore descriptive transect run from cliff toe to low tide mark. Long-shore transects taken at mid and low intertidal zones. Number of replicates = approx 11 per site (varies), quadrats taken every 2metres along long-shore transect. Measured variables = Epifaunal communities (species identified to lowest taxonomic level possible and enumerated in the field, any any difficult samples brought back and photographed sent to expert if required). Sampling protocol & QA = None found

Physical, chemical and biological monitoring of subtidal sediments within the Greater Wellington region for Greater Wellington Regional Council. Sampling sites are located in Wellington and Porirua Harbours. Sampling frequency = 2-5yearly (Oct/Nov). Sampling began in 2004 (Porirua) and 2006 (Wellington) and is ongoing. Number of sites = 22 total: Porirua (5) and Wellington (17, though this will decrease to 10-11). Extent of site = 20m diameter circular plot. Depth range sampled: 1.7 m to 23.0 m. Number of replicates = 8 infaunal cores, 5 sediment samples (composed of 5 sediment cores each) per site. Measured variables = Infaunal communities (species identified to lowest taxonomic level possible and enumerated). Sediment characteristics: grain size, TOC cadmium, nickel, lead, zinc, chromium, copper and arsenic. Sampling protocol & QA = External taxonomic identification of infauna. Sediment analysis external (Malvern Particle Analyser).

Physical, chemical and biological monitoring of estuaries within the Waikato region for Waikato Regional Council. Sampling sites are located in the Southern Firth of Thames and Whaingaroa (Raglan) Harbour. Sampling frequency = 3month intervals until 2009 (Jan, Apr, Jul and Oct), biannually since 2009 (Apr and Oct). Number of sites = 8. Extent of site = 10,000m2 (100m x 100m). Number of replicates = 12 infaunal cores and sediment samples per site, 2-6 sediment plates (depending on location), 10 measurements taken per plate. Measured variables = Infaunal communities (species identifed to lowest taxonomic level possible and enumerated, key bivalves measured). Indicator species condition analysis (using adult bivalves). Sediment characteristics (grain size, TOC, chlorophyll a). Sediment erosion/deposition (cm/y): depth of sediment layer is measured on each sampling occasion (using metal plates, initially buried at 100mm depth and 10 knitting needles). Sampling protocol & QA = Follows methodology of Thrush (1988). Sediment analysis used Galai laser sediment analyser, Malvern Particle Analyser, Hills Laboratories. Infaunal samples used internal QA procedures and were processed internally or with Wilma Blom at Auckland Museum.

Physical and chemical monitoring of coastal water in the Greater Wellington region for the Greater Wellington Regional Council. Sampling sites are located in Lake Onoke and Porirua Harbour. Sampling frequency = monthly (outgoing and low-mid tide where possible). Sampling began in 2010 and is ongoing. Number of sites = 7-8 total. Number of replicates = 1 per site. Measured variables = Water quality: salinity, conductivity, DO%, DOmg/l, temp, PH, E coli, Enterococci, TP, DRP, TKN, NO2, NO3, NNN, NH4, Chlorophyll a, turbidity, suspended solids, volatile SS, TOC. Sampling protocol & QA = Internal field monitoring protocol and QA procedures. Water samples taken from top 0.5m of water column.

Physical and biological monitoring of estuaries within the Greater Wellington region for Greater Wellington Regional Council. Sampling sites are located in the Whareama, Hutt, Porirua and Waikanae estuaries. Sampling frequency = annual (Jan/Feb). Sampling began in 2004, became a regular programme in 2007 and is ongoing. Number of sites = 7 total (1 to 4 sites per estuary). Extent of site = 1800m2 (60m x 30m). Number of replicates = 10 per site. Measured variables = Infaunal communities (species identifed to lowest taxonomic level possible and enumerated), epifauna and epiflora (identified in the field) and mapping of broadscale macroalgae cover in selected estuaries. Sediment characteristics (basic grain size, ash free dry weight, redox (in field), TOC, nitrogen, phosphorus, cadmium, nickel, lead, zinc, chromium and copper). Sediment erosion/deposition (cm/y): depth of sediment layer measured (using sediment plates buried at most sites). Sampling protocol & QA = External taxonomic identification of infauna. Basic sediment grain size = 2mm & 63µm sieves, gravimetric (% gravel, sand, and silt) and sediment characteristics analysis conducted by Hills Laboratories.