NIWA (and its predecessor NZOI) have been collecting and analysing sediment from the seafloor around New Zealand and the South Pacific since the late 1950s and the details of these are stored in a database. This database contains station details (such as station id, position, and date) and the sediment analysis (grainsize analysis: % sand, % mud, % carbonate).
NIWA (and its predecessor, the New Zealand Oceanographic Institute (NZOI)) publishes series of charts and posters of coastal bathymetry, sediment, and other information of the marine environment. Further information about the charts can be found at http://www.niwa.co.nz/publications/charts. The following is a description of the series of charts that have been published: Coastal bathymetry / sediments, 1:200,000 NIWA produces a variety of Bathymetric Charts that cover coastal New Zealand and many offshore areas. Bathymetric charts show the depth of the ocean contoured into lines of equal depth (bathymetry) and are particularly useful for pinpointing pinnacles, holes, and other bottom features. A sediment edition that illustrates the nature of the bottom type (rock, sand, gravel, and so on) is available for some of these same areas. Please order your charts by name (e.g. Cook Strait Bathymetry, or Bay of Plenty Sediment). Oceanic bathymetry / sediments, 1:1,000,000 NIWA produces a series of oceanic charts at this smaller scale. These illustrate the large scale features of the New Zealand region, particularly those offshore in deeper water. Some areas also have a sediment edition. Please order your chart by name (e.g. Three Kings Oceanic Bathymetry). Lake Bathymetry, various scales NIWA has published a lake chart for every lake in New Zealand that can be surveyed, except for Lake Dunstan. The charts are of various scales that are determined to be the most appropriate for the size of the lake. The compilation and publication dates range from 1966 to 1989. Miscellaneous charts Other charts include a range of bathymetric charts of areas of special interest around New Zealand. These include many of the Sounds of Fiordland, New Zealand Island Territories, and the Marlborough Sounds. We also produce a range of sediment charts, such as Manukau and Waitemata Harbours, Rangaunu Harbour, and Wellington South Coast. Some excellent charts of various scales are also available that show the entire New Zealand region. There are more than 70 charts in this miscellaneous series.