Te Papa’s scientists recently received raingear and tents for their research trips through Macpac’s Fund for Good. As Curator Fishes Thom Linley says, “Working in remote locations near, and often on, the water means we are always at the mercy of the elements. Weather conditions can change rapidly, and becoming wet significantly increases the risk of exposure and other complications.”
Into the Wild: Why Te Papa’s Scientists Go Off the Beaten Track
Te Papa scientists conduct research to understand Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique biodiversity, both past and present, and to support its protection.
From ancient fossils, contemporary ferns and seabirds to deep-sea fish and cave-dwelling invertebrates, the team’s research spans a remarkable diversity of life forms. Out in the field, whether pushing through dense forests, landing on remote islands, traversing alpine regions, navigating rugged coastlines, fishing deep ocean waters, or squeezing through narrow muddy caves, they observe species in their natural habitats, uncover fossil taonga, and grow Te Papa’s collection for ongoing research.
Life at Depth
Te Papa’s fish team is often out on the wide ocean, using research vessels equipped with cameras, acoustic systems, and remotely operated or autonomous vehicles, scientists survey fish distributions across depth gradients.
These studies help identify species diversity, map habitats, and clarify the ecological roles of deep-sea fishes within ocean food webs. By building baseline knowledge, deep-sea research also supports the assessment of human impacts – including climate change and emerging industries such as deep-sea mining-informing conservation and management of one of Earth’s least understood ecosystems. “Being on a ship, working in harsh weather, the Macpac rain jackets have become an essential part of our field gear. They perform just as well layered over a T‑shirt during a tropical downpour as they do over thermal systems in temperate or even polar environments, where protection from windchill and heat loss is critical.”
Cold, Wet, but Worth It: Chasing Carrots in Tasmania
Te Papa scientists Lara and Leon recently made good use of a Macpac tent and raincoats during a fieldtrip to Tasmania. They were collecting Anisotome procumbens, a member of the carrot family and close relative of New Zealand’s iconic speargrasses, to help understand how these plants are related.
Both the tent and raincoats were put to the test during a three-day walk up remote Mt La Perouse, where there are no huts or other facilities, with carrying in a tent the only option. Rain fell on two of the days and temperatures dipped below 10°C, not exactly the Aussie summer most people imagine. As Lara says, “Despite the conditions, we managed to stay dry and therefore warm. The lightweight tent left plenty of room for other essential gear and, most importantly, the precious plant collections.”
Digging for the past
Te Papa’s vertebrate palaeontologists spent several weeks this summer in the South Island hunting for fossils big and small – each one an essential clue to understanding the deep history of biodiversity in Aotearoa. The team scoured beaches for ancient penguins, sieved mud for the 17-million-year-old remains of tiny birds and fish and got on the power tools to excavate fossil whales from a limestone quarry. As Hazel Richards says:
“It was a thermally confusing mix of warm temperatures, sweaty physical work, and intermittent rain. The Macpac rain jackets provided excellent protection against the wet while still being super breathable during warm weather. The durable fabric withstood some pretty rough treatment, and the cut of the sleeves and hood made them easy to move around in, even when carrying heavy equipment or fossils around the dig site.”
After spelunking
In January invertebrate curators Julia and Kerry undertook a survey of cave fauna in the Tākaka area.
Subterranean ecosystems are highly specialised and intimately connected to conditions above ground, particularly land use, hydrology, and water quality. Despite this, far less is known about their species composition, distribution, and vulnerability to environmental change compared with surface ecosystems.
During the field program, the team investigated a range of cave environments to document invertebrate communities that remain among the least studied components of Aotearoa New Zealand’s biodiversity. “While we had special gear in the cave, it wasn’t always pleasant to get out of the cave, already wet and covered in mud, into the rain. So, we were especially pleased with our new jackets keeping us dry and warm after an exhausting trip underground.”
Bottom line
And even back home in Wellington, when preparing for a Te Papa event showcasing freshwater insects, it’s handy to have a Macpac backpack large and sturdy enough to carry all the water samples and wet‑sampling gear, according to Julia Kasper. “It wasn’t part of the donation, but it is one of my favourite items when I am in the field.”
We are deeply grateful for Macpac’s generosity, these jackets have made a real difference to our comfort and safety in the field. Having reliable gear isn’t just convenient; it can genuinely be a lifesaver.
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