IMPACT REPORT
A MESSAGE
FROM OUR CHAIR
Ka ora tatou,
While there is broad understanding of the precariousness of our future, the role a healthy ocean plays still remains absent from our national discourse. This is despite Aotearoa’s ocean space dwarfing our land area by more than 15 times. The ocean-climate nexus presents huge challenges, but with that comes great opportunity to shape a better future for us all.
At Live Ocean Foundation we are action orientated, and it’s with delight that we can report the organisation grew steadily over the year with an 17.9% increase in fundraising income. Including Live Ocean USA, the revenue for FY 22 was $1,300,425 with 74.8% of our expenditure directed to the science, innovation and public education we work with our partners to deliver. The growth in funds was a significant accomplishment by the team in a difficult year with extended lockdowns and ongoing disruptions.
Read more
As well as bringing in important funding to accelerate the projects we support, Live Ocean has a key role to play in addressing the ongoing ocean blindness and shifting the narrative from ‘it’s too hard’ to ‘it’s too important not to act now’. Social licence is a critical factor in the movement needed to spark national focus. Our alignment with sport and this year’s partnership with the New Zealand SailGP Team has allowed us to stretch our reach to new audiences and we’re excited about the potential. It has also provided us with a valuable contribution to the work being done on kelp restoration which was greatly appreciated.
As always, we remain committed to good governance. Thank you to my fellow trustees Shelley Campbell and Jez Fanstone for your insights and focus. To our US Directors, Amanda Martin, Erin Miserlis and Jez Fanstone, we also thank you. To our founding partners, core supporters and trusted advisers, your efforts and support of the Live Ocean kaupapa is central to our ability to make a difference.
As always, our founders Peter Burling and Blair Tuke continue to inspire us with their belief we can be so much better, their energy, tenacity and most of all their love for the moana.
Ngā mihi,
MIRANDA BURDON
A MESSAGE
FROM OUR CHAIR
Kia ora tatou,
While there is broad understanding of the precariousness of our future, the role a healthy ocean plays still remains absent from our national discourse. This is despite Aotearoa’s ocean space dwarfing our land area by more than 15 times. The ocean-climate nexus presents huge challenges, but with that comes great opportunity to shape a better future for us all.
At Live Ocean Foundation we are action orientated, and it’s with delight that we can report the organisation grew steadily over the year with an 17.9% increase in fundraising income. Including Live Ocean USA, the revenue for FY 22 was $1,300,425 with 74.8% of our expenditure directed to the science, innovation and public education we work with our partners to deliver. The growth in funds was a significant accomplishment by the team in a difficult year with extended lockdowns and ongoing disruptions.
Read more
As well as bringing in important funding to accelerate the projects we support, Live Ocean has a key role to play in addressing the ongoing ocean blindness and shifting the narrative from ‘it’s too hard’ to ‘it’s too important not to act now’. Social licence is a critical factor in the movement needed to spark national focus. Our alignment with sport and this year’s partnership with the New Zealand SailGP Team has allowed us to stretch our reach to new audiences and we’re excited about the potential. It has also provided us with a valuable contribution to the work being done on kelp restoration which was greatly appreciated.
As always, we remain committed to good governance. Thank you to my fellow trustees Shelley Campbell and Jez Fanstone for your insights and focus. To our US Directors, Amanda Martin, Erin Miserlis and Jez Fanstone, we also thank you. To our founding partners, core supporters and trusted advisers, your efforts and support of the Live Ocean kaupapa is central to our ability to make a difference.
As always, our founders Peter Burling and Blair Tuke continue to inspire us with their belief we can be so much better, their energy, tenacity and most of all their love for the moana.
Ngā mihi,
MIRANDA BURDON
FROM OUR
FOUNDERS
Kia ora Live Ocean whānau,
The opportunity to use our sport to connect audiences with the vision for a healthy ocean has been something we’ve always seen from the outset of Live Ocean. It was a huge year for us on the back of the America’s Cup win, the Olympics and the launch of the New Zealand SailGP Team, where the foundation came on board as the charity partner. We’ve had incredible support from people all over the country, thank you.
Read more
The Spain Sail Grand Prix in October demonstrated when sport and conservation connect, it can provide a moment for focus and impact. We shared the story of the plight of Antipodean albatross and proudly displayed the image on the wing of the F50. The event itself provided a key moment as the governments of New Zealand and Spain announced a commitment to improve fishing practices to avoid the capture of seabirds in southern fisheries. It was hugely rewarding to see this agreement come into place.
Later in March, the New Zealand SailGP Team made history by becoming the first winners of the Impact League. The USD$100,000 prize for Live Ocean Foundation will fund important work in the Hauraki Gulf into the significance of kelp forests and their regeneration.
We also had some epic missions to awesome parts of our country. It was special to head to Kawhia to meet with the Te Toki Waka Hourua whānau and to hear about the work they’re doing to revitalise voyaging in Aotearoa and to learn more about their relationship to the ocean. We also headed up to Northland to spend a night with Ngāti Kuri 4th Gen youth who are an inspiring group of rangatahi.
Heading out on the boat with Dr Nick Shears to Te Hauturu-o-toi Little Barrier, we saw first-hand healthy new kelp beds that only 12 months before were kina barrens. We need to keep charging, there is such a massive opportunity for recovery, and we can all be part of it.
Ngā mihi nui,
PETER BURLING + BLAIR TUKE
FROM OUR
FOUNDERS
The opportunity to use our sport to connect audiences with the vision for a healthy ocean has been something we’ve always seen from the outset of Live Ocean. It was a huge year for us on the back of the America’s Cup win, the Olympics and the launch of the New Zealand SailGP Team, where the foundation came on board as the charity partner. We’ve had incredible support from people all over the country, thank you.
Read more
The Spain Sail Grand Prix in October demonstrated when sport and conservation connect, it can provide a moment for focus and impact. We shared the story of the plight of Antipodean albatross and proudly displayed the image on the wing of the F50. The event itself provided a key moment as the governments of New Zealand and Spain announced a commitment to improve fishing practices to avoid the capture of seabirds in southern fisheries. It was hugely rewarding to see this agreement come into place.
Later in March, the New Zealand SailGP Team made history by becoming the first winners of the Impact League. The USD$100,000 prize for Live Ocean Foundation will fund important work in the Hauraki Gulf into the significance of kelp forests and their regeneration.
We also had some epic missions to awesome parts of our country. It was special to head to Kawhia to meet with the Te Toki Waka Hourua whānau and to hear about the work they’re doing to revitalise voyaging in Aotearoa and to learn more about their relationship to the ocean. We also headed up to Northland to spend a night with Ngāti Kuri 4th Gen youth who are an inspiring group of rangatahi.
Heading out on the boat with Dr Nick Shears to Te Hauturu-o-toi Little Barrier, we saw first-hand healthy new kelp beds that only 12 months before were kina barrens. We need to keep charging, there is such a massive opportunity for recovery, and we can all be part of it.
Ngā mihi nui,
PETER BURLING + BLAIR TUKE
FROM
OUR CEO
Tena koutou,
We’re proud to present our second annual report, which reflects a huge amount of support, belief and mahi. For a young organisation we’ve made significant strides, entering our third year with our strategy tested and embedded. While the world has been grappling with the pandemic and its aftermath, the need to stay focused on the environment and the role the moana plays in that, is vital.
Key highlights from the year include:
- A critical second year of support of Dr Emma Carroll’s southern right whale research.
- Building our support to accelerate kelp restoration research & the role kelp plays in carbon sequestration.
Read more
- Seascape has made great progress, with recognition of the methodology by the University of Auckland and surveying of critical seafloor habitats in Tīkapa Moana, the Hauraki Gulf.
- Support of the voyage to the Antipodes Islands to preserve the near 30-year data set on the Antipodean albatross.
- Developing new whanaungatanga / relationships, including with Te Toki Voyaging Trust who we are supporting for the next three years.
- Established Project Kahurangi, an image and video bank for the conservation sector to enable more effective conservation messaging.
The central theme for the year is undoubtedly mahi tahi / collaboration, despite the barriers the extended lockdown created. Our partnerships with the people and businesses who support us and the scientists, innovators and communicators we fund are the mauri of how we work.
Now, with the partnership with the New Zealand SailGP Team, we can take these insights and the ambition for a healthy ocean to the world stage in a way that is unique to Aotearoa New Zealand. We engage widely with others in the conservation sector and create relationships and networks with ocean sports organisations.
A massive thank you for your manawanui support in a time where everyone was stretched, both in business and personally. Your unwavering commitment to us and a healthy ocean during difficult times will always be remembered. Together, we press forward to drive action for the ocean in the crucial window between now and 2030.
Thank you to our small (but mighty!) Live Ocean team for your dedication and good humour. In difficult circumstances you shone….
Ngā mihi,
SALLY PATERSON
FROM
OUR CEO
Tena koutou,
We’re proud to present our second annual report, which reflects a huge amount of support, belief and mahi. For a young organisation we’ve made significant strides, entering our third year with our strategy tested and embedded. While the world has been grappling with the pandemic and its aftermath, the need to stay focused on the environment and the role the moana plays in that, is vital.
Key highlights from the year include:
- A critical second year of support of Dr Emma Carroll’s southern right whale research.
- Building our support to accelerate kelp restoration research & the role kelp plays in carbon sequestration.
Read more
- Seascape has made great progress, with recognition of the methodology by the University of Auckland and surveying of critical seafloor habitats in Tīkapa Moana, the Hauraki Gulf.
- Support of the voyage to the Antipodes Islands to preserve the near 30-year data set on the Antipodean albatross.
- Developing new whanaungatanga / relationships, including with Te Toki Voyaging Trust who we are supporting for the next three years.
- Established Project Kahurangi, an image and video bank for the conservation sector to enable more effective conservation messaging.
The central theme for the year is undoubtedly mahi tahi / collaboration, despite the barriers the extended lockdown created. Our partnerships with the people and businesses who support us and the scientists, innovators and communicators we fund are the mauri of how we work.
Now, with the partnership with the New Zealand SailGP Team, we can take these insights and the ambition for a healthy ocean to the world stage in a way that is unique to Aotearoa New Zealand. We engage widely with others in the conservation sector and create relationships and networks with ocean sports organisations.
A massive thank you for your manawanui support in a time where everyone was stretched, both in business and personally. Your unwavering commitment to us and a healthy ocean during difficult times will always be remembered. Together, we press forward to drive action for the ocean in the crucial window between now and 2030.
Thank you to our small (but mighty!) Live Ocean team for your dedication and good humour. In difficult circumstances you shone….
Ngā mihi,
SALLY PATERSON
Consolidated
FINANCIALS
2021 - 2022
Total Revenue
Programme
Fundraising /Marketing
Administration
Total Expenses
Total Assets
Total Liabilities
Net Assets
2020 - 2021
Total Revenue
Programme
Fundraising /Marketing
Administration
Total Expenses
Total Assets
Total Liabilities
Net Assets
Consolidated financials for Live Ocean (New Zealand) and Live Ocean (USA) for 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022. Full audited financials for Live Ocean Charitable Trust Group (NZ) are available here. Live Ocean USA form 990s submitted to the US Internal Revenue Service.
2021 - 2022
Total Revenue
Programme
Fundraising /Marketing
Administration
Total Expenses
Total Assets
Total Liabilities
Net Assets
Consolidated financials for Live Ocean (New Zealand) and Live Ocean (USA) for 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022. Full audited financials for Live Ocean Charitable Trust Group (NZ) are available here. Live Ocean USA form 990s submitted to the US Internal Revenue Service.
Photo credit: Paul Caiger
INNOVATE FOR
SOLUTIONS
SEASCAPE
Seascape is a public access geospatial marine modelling project produced by New Zealand Geographic with funding from Live Ocean Foundation.
Seascape technology allows access to high resolution, photo-realistic, three dimensional seafloor maps, hundreds of metres in area. These maps can be shared with international researchers, allowing them to understand the modelled underwater environment like they were there. Images can be used as baselines for other key scientific questions in the future, as well as a public education tool.
“Adapting photogrammetry technology for use underwater will give us the view of our marine habitats that satellite imagery provides on land. Our hope is that this insight leads to better decision making, more robust science, and a public more engaged in the fate of the marine space.”
JAMES FRANKHAM – NEW ZEALAND GEOGRAPHIC
IMAGES
m2
MINUTES
The methodology can model 200 m2 of seafloor in six minutes to millimetre accuracy.
SEASCAPE
Seascape is a public access geospatial marine modelling project produced by New Zealand Geographic with funding from Live Ocean Foundation.
Seascape technology allows access to high resolution, photo-realistic, three dimensional seafloor maps, hundreds of metres in area.
Read more
1,200 IMAGES
The largest single mosaic is made up of over 1,200 images of a 145m2 scallop bed patch.
8,000 m2
The programme has mapped 8,000 m2 of reefs, shellfish beds, estuaries, sponge gardens and seagrass.
SIX MINUTES
The methodology can map 200m2 of seafloor in six minutes.
“Adapting photogrammetry technology for use underwater will give us the view of our marine habitats that satellite imagery provides on land. Our hope is that this insight leads to better decision making, more robust science, and a public more engaged in the fate of the marine space.” JAMES FRANKHAM – NEW ZEALAND GEOGRAPHIC
PARTNERING
WITH PURPOSE
TE TOKI
VOYAGING TRUST
THE STORY OF Aotearoa is intrinsically linked to the moana and the many wayfinders who voyaged across the ocean
Knowledge and appreciation of our history is critical in rebuilding our connection with the ocean. By learning about those who crossed the ocean before us we can restore and protect it for future generations.
We’ve teamed up with Te Toki Voyaging Trust (TTVT) to highlight traditional voyaging as a vehicle through which mātauranga (knowledge) can join with western science to create a culture of caring for the environment and sustaining people.
As part of this collaboration, Live Ocean Foundation is providing three years of capacity support. This enables TTVT to deliver more of their invaluable work with rangatahi and the wider community which carries respect for the marine environment at its core.
TE TOKI
VOYAGING TRUST
THE STORY OF Aotearoa is intrinsically linked to the moana and the many wayfinders who voyaged across the ocean
Knowledge and appreciation of our history is critical in rebuilding our connection with the ocean. By learning about those who crossed the ocean before us we can restore and protect it for future generations.
We’ve teamed up with Te Toki Voyaging Trust (TTVT) to highlight traditional voyaging as a vehicle through which mātauranga (knowledge) can join with western science to create a culture of caring for the environment and sustaining people.
As part of this collaboration, Live Ocean Foundation is providing three years of capacity support. This enables TTVT to deliver more of their invaluable work with rangatahi and the wider community which carries respect for the marine environment at its core.
PROJECT
KAHURANGI
The issues the ocean faces are largely out of sight Below the waterline It’s harder to see and easier to ignore
Imagery is vital for ocean conservation messaging to resonate. Project Kahurangi is a powerful resource, giving conservation groups across Aotearoa access to compelling local photos and videos.
With Live Ocean Foundation's support, version one was made available to the sector in early 2022. User feedback has been collated and the finalised version of the library will be launched in September 2022.
“Project Kahurangi will fill a significant gap, addressing of our science communication challenges and raising the bar for marine advocacy in New Zealand”
PETER MILES - REVIVE OUR GULF
PHOTOS
+
VIDEOS
PROJECT
KAHURANGI
The issues the ocean faces are largely out of sight Below the waterline It’s harder to see and easier to ignore
Imagery is vital for ocean conservation messaging to resonate. Project Kahurangi is a powerful resource, giving conservation groups across Aotearoa access to compelling local photos and videos.
With Live Ocean Foundation's support, version one was made available to the sector in early 2022. User feedback has been collated and the finalised version of the library will be launched in September 2022.
“Project Kahurangi will fill a significant gap, addressing of our science communication challenges and raising the bar for marine advocacy in New Zealand”
PETER MILES - REVIVE OUR GULF
PHOTOS
+
VIDEOS
SCIENCE TO
UNDERSTAND
TREES OF
THE SEA
KELP FORESTS ARE NOT ONLY VITAL TO THE HEALTH OF THE OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS, BUT TO THE PLANET AS A WHOLE
Many vital marine habitats across the globe are experiencing a kelp forest decline, causing habitat and biodiversity loss.
Live Ocean Foundation is supporting work by Dr Nick Shears from the University of Auckland to understand both the scale of the problem and what happens when the kina are removed from barrens. Does ‘resetting’ the system accelerate the restoration of kelp on a large scale?
These findings could be very significant for new areas of marine protection, where kina removal could significantly accelerate habitat restoration.
“Our research will examine the role of marine protection and restoration in allowing kelp forests to bloom, and their associated marine life to return and flourish"
DR NICK SHEARS
TREES OF
THE SEA
KELP FORESTS ARE NOT ONLY VITAL TO THE HEALTH OF THE OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS, BUT TO THE PLANET AS A WHOLE
Many vital marine habitats across the globe are experiencing a kelp forest decline, causing habitat and biodiversity loss.
Live Ocean Foundation is supporting work by Dr Nick Shears from the University of Auckland to understand both the scale of the problem and what happens when the kina are removed from barrens. Does ‘resetting’ the system accelerate the restoration of kelp on a large scale?
These findings could be very significant for new areas of marine protection, where kina removal could significantly accelerate habitat restoration.
“Our research will examine the role of marine protection and restoration in allowing kelp forests to bloom, and their associated marine life to return and flourish"
DR NICK SHEARS
TOHORĀ
VOYAGES
This sentinel species for climate change was once decimated by whaling. These now recovering gentle giants face a new threat, the changing ocean
In June 2021, Dr Emma Carroll and team from the University of Auckland completed their second research voyage to Maungahuka Auckland Islands. Arie Spyksma from New Zealand Geographic and photographer Richard Robinson joined them to capture high quality imagery and 360-degree virtual reality videos to share the story of these curious travellers.
Across the 2020-21 voyages we followed the journeys of 17 tohorā from their wintering grounds in the Maungahuka Auckland Islands to their summer feeding grounds. This tracking data has provided us with the first links to both Antarctica and the historically important region East of Aotearoa in the last 150 years.
TOHORĀ
VOYAGES
This sentinel species for climate change was once decimated by whaling. These now recovering gentle giants face a new threat, the changing ocean
In June 2021, Dr Emma Carroll and team from the University of Auckland completed their second research voyage to Maungahuka Auckland Islands. Arie Spyksma from New Zealand Geographic and photographer Richard Robinson joined them to capture high quality imagery and 360-degree virtual reality videos to share the story of these curious travellers.
Across the 2020-21 voyages we followed the journeys of 17 tohorā from their wintering grounds in the Maungahuka Auckland Islands to their summer feeding grounds. This tracking data has provided us with the first links to both Antarctica and the historically important region East of Aotearoa in the last 150 years.
KELP AND
CARBON
Live Ocean Foundation is supporting Dr Caitlin Blain from the University of Auckland to investigate how kelp forests contribute to coastal carbon cycles. The work will help researchers understand the role of kelp forests in climate change mitigation and provides an exciting potential opportunity for quantifying and valuing blue carbon.
Kelp forests are highly productive and while they provide important stores of carbon, the long-term fate of the majority of carbon fixed (turned into organic compounds) by kelp is unknown. This new research combines ecophysiology, chemistry and microbiology to advance our understanding of the importance of this ‘missing’ carbon in global carbon cycles and provide more realistic estimates of the contribution of kelp to blue carbon budgets.
"Our research has demonstrated that only a small proportion of this carbon is stored in kelp forests, with much of it being released back into the ocean. This research will help us understand the long-term fate of this “lost” carbon and the role of kelp forests in climate change mitigation” DR CAITLIN BLAIN
KELP AND
CARBON
Live Ocean Foundation is supporting Dr Caitlin Blain from the University of Auckland to investigate how kelp forests contribute to coastal carbon cycles. The work will help researchers understand the role of kelp forests in climate change mitigation and provides an exciting potential opportunity for quantifying and valuing blue carbon.
Kelp forests are highly productive and while they provide important stores of carbon, the long-term fate of the majority of carbon fixed (turned into organic compounds) by kelp is unknown. This new research combines ecophysiology, chemistry and microbiology to advance our understanding of the importance of this ‘missing’ carbon in global carbon cycles and provide more realistic estimates of the contribution of kelp to blue carbon budgets.
"Our research has demonstrated that only a small proportion of this carbon is stored in kelp forests, with much of it being released back into the ocean. This research will help us understand the long-term fate of this “lost” carbon and the role of kelp forests in climate change mitigation” DR CAITLIN BLAIN
THANK YOU
Despite the challenges 2021 presented, it was a year of rapid growth for Live Ocean. The support from our founding partners and major supporters has been unwavering. We could not have navigated this COVID dominated world without you. Our whānau has continued to grow, we are thrilled to welcome passionate ocean lovers, APL and Doyle Sails into the fold.
The wider community of ocean champions have continued to come together around the ambition for a healthy ocean. The support and belief of many is what will help to move the needle at a national and global level. Thank you to everyone who has gifted their time, expertise, proceeds or joined us in the conversation.
