Just below the surface of the ocean looking up towards the surface

FAQs

Do you have questions about Moana Mark? Find the answers here on our Frequently Asked Questions page.  

A guide leads a group of tourists on a kayaking trip off the coast of Kaikōura

Individuals >

  • Anyone who cares about the ocean. Whether you're visiting Aotearoa or live here, your donation goes directly to marine research that protects our moana.

  • Every dollar supports real marine research, from whale monitoring to penguin tracking. You’re helping fund fieldwork, data collection, and conservation decisions.

  • Besides knowing you're making an impact, you'll receive updates on the projects you support and can become a Moana Mark ambassador, helping spread awareness of ocean conservation.

  • Yes! You can donate to a specific project listed on our website.

Wings Over Whales planes fly over Kaikoura

Businesses >

  • Any business that wants to give back to the marine environment. From independent stores to small tour operators to large corporates, all are welcome.

  • Yes. An initial contribution of $500 is required to become a Moana Mark Partner.

  • 100% of your donation goes to marine research projects across Aotearoa New Zealand. These include whale surveys, seal monitoring, and penguin tracking, among others.

  • Absolutely. You can select a project that aligns with your values, location, or area of interest.

  • Donate $500 and receive:

    • A Moana Mark Partner logo to display on your customer channels.

    • Quarterly updates via an email newsletter.

  • Donate $1,000+ and receive:

    • A Moana Mark Premier Partner logo to display on your customer channels.

    • Quarterly updates via an email newsletter.

    • A feature on the Moana Mark website as a Premier Partner

    • An annual report

    • Access to a marine biologist to give a presentation to your team

    • Build trust with sustainability-minded travellers

    • Show leadership in responsible tourism

    • Increase appeal to international markets

    • Motivate and engage your team with a purpose-led partnership

A marine researcher sits on a colourful turquoise boat taking notes on a clipboard

  • Anyone - from high school students to professors. You don’t have to be part of a university. We encourage independent and community-led science.

  • We support projects focused on Aotearoa’s marine species or environments that produce shareable scientific outcomes and meet our research criteria.

  • All project proposals must:

    • Have a clear research question or hypothesis

    • All scientific claims in a proposal must be scientifically accurate (with references to supporting peer-reviewed sources)

    • Be feasible, with a capable team

    • Include ethics approval or permits if required

  • Each project proposal is reviewed by our team for clarity, scientific integrity, and feasibility. We approve projects on a rolling basis.

  • We ask you to share results in accessible, engaging ways. This could include:

    • Photos and updates

    • Pre-prints or publications

    • Presentations (online or in-person)

    • Datasets, protocols, or final reports

  • Partners need to see the impact of their support. It helps build trust and keeps our funding model transparent and community-driven.

  • No set timeline, but we encourage bi-annual reporting or updates when key milestones are reached.

  • You can email your proposal to us by clicking on the button below. Your proposal should include the evaluation criteria listed above.

Researchers >