News article

The Coastal Restoration Trust is celebrating the inspiring achievements of Dr Natalie Prinz, recipient of the 2025 Postgraduate Scholarship, whose work is shining a national spotlight on the power of nature‑based solutions in Aotearoa New Zealand’s estuaries.

Dr Prinz’s research explores a simple but transformative question: Can tuangi (New Zealand cockles) be the heroes of Aotearoa’s sandflats? Her thesis – now successfully defended – shows how these endemic shellfish can support the recovery of degraded estuarine ecosystems, particularly in Te Awanui / Tauranga Moana.

Academic Success with Real‑World Impact

Dr Prinz submitted her thesis in November 2025 and defended it in May 2026, earning praise from both national and international experts (see Tīmata whakaora, kickstarting recovery - Using bivalves to bioremediate degraded estuarine sediments ). The Coastal Restoration Trust is proudly acknowledged on the thesis cover as a key supporter of the research and its outreach.

Community Engagement that Resonates

A highlight of the scholarship year was a public event hosted at Envirohub Tauranga on 4 March 2026. As part of both Sustainable Backyards and Sea Week, the event drew 15 enthusiastic participants who explored how tuangi can act as “marine superheroes” in estuary restoration.

Attendees included community leaders such as the Vice President of the Zonta International Club and a teacher from Mount Maunganui College—both of whom have since collaborated further. Zonta is even exploring opportunities to fund additional outreach, demonstrating how Dr Prinz’s work is sparking wider community investment in marine restoration.

Building Bridges with Iwi and Regional Partners

The second planned event (a wānanga with local iwi and hapū of Te Awanui Tauranga Moana and representatives from the Tauranga Moana Customary Fisheries Trust) will also bring together representatives from different institutions and interest groups, including researchers from University of Waikato, University of Auckland, and Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Marine Ecologist (and others) is in preparation. This will provide a platform to further explore a potential tuangi restoration project opportunities, among other things.

Guidance for Communities

A practical, community‑focused guidance document—summarising the benefits of shellfish‑based restoration and offering hands‑on advice on ‘how to’ restore estuarine systems using native shellfish —is currently in development. Natalie will share this with the wānanga participants and also make it available for wider use.

Scientific Contributions

Dr Prinz’s research has already produced three scientific papers: one has been published (see https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/rec.70393), and the remaining two (at various stages of the submission-review process) will also be made available in due course. These publications will help strengthen the scientific foundation for estuarine restoration across Aotearoa New Zealand.

A Lasting Legacy

Throughout her outreach, Dr Prinz has consistently acknowledged and celebrated the Coastal Restoration Trust’s support. Her work exemplifies how CRT scholarships empower emerging researchers to connect science, community, and culture—creating restoration pathways that endure long after the scholarship year ends.

With the next CRT conference scheduled for 2027, Dr Prinz looks forward to sharing further updates, insights, and stories from the ongoing mahi.