Welcome to the Aotearoa Wave and Tidal Energy Association

The Aotearoa Wave and Tidal Energy Association (AWATEA) was established in April 2006 to promote the uptake of marine energy in New Zealand.

Wave and tidal energy is sustainable, clean, available, reliable and forecastable. We believe that New Zealand can source a significant proportion of its new energy supply from marine energy in the medium term.


Blue energy: Let's get wet!
AWATEA held its second annual conference at Te Papa on Thursday 29 May 2008. Fourteen speakers, including keynote speakers from the United Kingdom and Australia, presented on a range of topics on two themes - “Supporting Deployments” and “Getting Devices in the Water”. The Minister of Energy made two important announcements:

  • The first award of funding – to AWATEA member, Crest Energy – from the 1st round of the Marine Energy Deployment Fund

  • The second round of funding from the MEDF (opening on 31 July 2008 and closing on 24 November 2008).
The presentations are available to members and conference registrants at the 2008 conference page. Note that this page is password-protected and access to the presentations are available to existing and new members of AWATEA, as well as to those who attended the conference.

Membership of AWATEA is open to all but especially for marine device developers, project developers and other energy and/or marine industry participants. Overseas members are welcome.

AWATEA is also a Maori word meaning 'new dawn' or 'new beginning'. An appropriate name for a new energy source that will play an increasing role in the 21st Century meeting New Zealand´s energy needs and contributing to a secure, competitive and resilient economy.