“We will collect basic information about what habitats exist in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park using a state-of-the-art camera system to capture underwater images.

“We can see what is happening in real time and this has been enhanced by the new fibre optic cables on board Kaharoa II,” Morrison said.

In addition to daytime studies, scientists would also work at night to take images of fish sleeping on the seafloor and nocturnal species that use the darkness to forage for food.

Underwater cameras were equipped with powerful lights that appeared like illuminated domes in the water in shallower areas from the shore.

The ship would move from the shallowest parts of the marine park to the deepest edge of the shelf in the park, an area about which little is known, Morrison said.

“Restoring marine habitats and ecosystems requires knowledge of the current state of the environment. Without this information, it is not possible to set appropriate restoration targets.”

“A survey of this intensity, habitat diversity and depth range across the entire Hauraki Gulf Marine Park has never been undertaken before.”

In addition, the trip will return to some of the places where Niwa had already taken samples with towed cameras in 2015 to see if and how the underwater landscape and biodiversity had changed, he said.

Dr Rich Ford, Deputy Director of Science and Information at Fisheries New Zealand, said the Hauraki Gulf was important to all New Zealanders because its waters and islands were home to a wealth of biodiversity.

“The state-of-the-art camera technology on board Kaharoa II will give us a better view of the species and habitats that live beneath the surface and provide us with valuable baseline data to support longer-term monitoring and management of the Hauraki Gulf.”

Kaharoa II will operate in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park from today until 10 September.

Designed by naval architect Skipsteknisk, the vessel has a range of 6500 nautical miles, is equipped with sensors such as Kongsberg echo sounders, multibeam, USBL and dynamic positioning, and offers space for nine workers and six crew members, an operating room, dry and wet laboratories and conference facilities.