Rehabitat named a finalist in the 2026 NZMOA Outstanding Initiative Award

We're proud to share that Rehabitat, our marine biosecurity rapid-response treatment tool, has been named a finalist in the Outstanding Initiative (Associate Member) category of the 2026 NZMOA Awards - recognising the best of environmental stewardship, technological innovation and operational excellence across New Zealand's marina and boatyard sector.

Rehabitat was developed by our team, led by Brook McRae, to tackle exotic Caulerpa, an invasive seaweed that spreads rapidly and smothers native marine habitat. Our answer was a mobile containment system that can be positioned directly over a patch of Caulerpa, allowing a controlled chlorine treatment to neutralise the Caulerpa while keeping the impact tightly contained. Built through extensive prototyping and real-world trials, and now available in multiple sizes, it's the product of close collaboration with the government agency MPI, regional councils, iwi and hapū, and the Cawthron Institute - New Zealand's largest independent science organisation.

Rehabitat is one of three finalists in the category, alongside Westhaven Marina's Cadet Program and Seaview Marina's Staff App — great company to be in. Winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner on Thursday 24 September, at the NZ Marina and Boatyard Conference in Tauranga. Read the full NZMOA announcement here, and follow along with NZMOA on Facebook and LinkedIn for updates in the lead-up to the dinner.