Water quality monitoring of harbours and coastal waters within the Auckland region for Auckland Regional Council. Sampling frequency = monthly. Sampling began in 1986 (not at all sites) and is ongoing. Number of sites = 36 total: East Coast (x9), Kaipara Harbour (x7), Manukau Harbour (x7), Waitemata Harbour (x11), Tamaki Estuary (x2). Number of replicates = 1. Measured variables = Salinity, conductivity, DO%, DOmg/l, temp, PH (YSI meter), Enterococci, TP, DRP, TKN, NNN, TN, NO3, NO2, chlorophyll a, chloride, turbidity, suspended solids, ammoniacal nitrogen and total oxidisable inorganic nitrogen (external lab). Water samples taken from top 0.5m of water column on the falling tide, just after high water. Sampling protocol & QA = Internal sampling protocol, samples are collected by helicopter or boat.

Physical and biological monitoring of estuaries within the Auckland region for Auckland Council. Sampling sites are located in the Whangateau, Puhoi, Waiwera, Orewa, Okura, Mangemangeroa, Waikopua and Turanga estuaries. Sampling frequency = bi-annual (Apr and Oct). In addition, event based sampling (rainfall threshold) may also be conducted. Sampling began in 2001 (not at all sites) and is ongoing. Number of sites = 80 total (10 sites per estuary). Sites marked by GPS and special purpose navigational markers. Extent of site = 1250m2 (50m x 25m). Number of replicates = 6 per site. Measured variables = Infaunal communities using 500um mesh (species identifed to lowest taxonomic level possible and enumerated, key bivalves measured). Sediment characteristics (grain size, TOC and chlorophyll a). Sampling protocol & QA = Internal, NIWA laboratories.

Physical, biological and chemical monitoring of shellfish within the Auckland region for Auckland Council. The objective is to identify contaminants with abnormally high concentrations in shellfish, detect changes in contaminant levels over time, detect differences in contaminant levels between locations, and evaluate the effectiveness of measures aimed at reducing contaminant loads. Sampling sites are located in Tamaki Estuary, Waitemata Harbour and Manukau Harbour. Sampling frequency = annual (oysters: Nov/Dec, mussels: Sep to Dec). Sampling began in 1987 for oystera and 1999 for mussels (not at all sites) and is ongoing. Number of sites = 11 total: 4 wild-caught sites (oysters) and 7 'deployment' sites (mussels). Extent of site = varies. Number of replicates = 5 oyster or 5 mussel samples per site, pre-deployment samples are also taken for mussel sites. Measured variables = Shellfish analysed for metals (regular suite of 6 metals analysed), organics (including PAHs, PCBs and OCP's), condition index. Sampling protocol & QA = Internal monitoring protocol, has two sections: wild-caught oyster samples, and farmed mussels (sourced from the Coromandel, assembled on rigs in Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World, deployed on site and then retrieved 3 months later by the ARC dive team by boat. QA = Internal, a bulk reference sample is analyzed by the organics lab.

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.

Physical and biological monitoring of estuaries and harbours within the Auckland region for Auckland Council. The benthic health model was developed to provide a tool for classifying intertidal sites within the region according to categories of relative ecosystem health, based on its community composition and predicted responses to storm-water contamination. The model is a multivariate analysis (CAP) of macrobenthic community composition backed by information on sediment copper, lead and zinc concentrations. Recently the model has been further developed to incorporate community responses to a mud gradient. Several of the marine ecology (harbours and estuaries) and sediment chemistry sites are used as BHP sites, with the information collected once and used for two reporting purposes. The additional sites monitorined as part of the BHP provide more spatially intense information on benthic ecology and sediment chemistry in urban areas affected by stormwater. Sampling sites are located in the Central Waitemata Harbour (CWH), Manukau, Mahurangi, Kaipara, Upper Waitemata Harbour (UWH). Sampling frequency = annual (Oct/Nov) but sampled sites rotate (2-5yearly) depending on level of contaminents. Sampling began in 2002 (not at all sites) and is ongoing. Number of sites = 53 total, ecology is monitored at 32 sites along with sediment chemistry (contaminants) to give an overall picture of benthic ecosystem health. Sediment chemistry along is monitored at a 21 further sites. Extent of site = 9000m2 Number of replicates = 10 per site. Measured variables = Infaunal communities using 500um mesh (species identifed to lowest taxonomic level possible and enumerated, key bivalves measured). Sediment characteristics (grain size, TOC and chlorophyll a). Sampling protocol & QA = Internal, NIWA laboratories.

Physical and biological monitoring of harbours within the Auckland region for Auckland Council. Sampling sites are located in the Central Waitemata Harbour (CWH), Manukau, Mahurangi, Kaipara, Upper Waitemata Harbour (UWH). Sampling frequency = bimonthly in CWH (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec), trimontly in Mahurangi (Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct) and UWH (Feb, May, Aug, Nov) for some sites and annually for some muddy sites to avoid disturbance. Sampling began in 1987 (not at all sites) and is ongoing, apart from the subtidal sampling in Mahurangi which ceased in 2010. Number of sites = 33 total (note some sites monitored on rotational basis, 2 years on and 5 years off). Extent of site = 9000m2. Number of replicates = 12 per site. Measured variables = Infaunal communities using 500um mesh (species identifed to lowest taxonomic level possible and enumerated, key bivalves measured). Sediment characteristics (grain size, TOC and chlorophyll a). Sampling protocol & QA = Internal, NIWA laboratories.