Victoria University researchers recently explored nine underwater sites off the coast of the Wellington Region for the first time, and they made some surprising discoveries!
Venturing into deep water reefs they came across what they've described as brightly coloured 'sponge gardens', which they say are quite different to what they've seen elsewhere across the country.
Marine biologist Professor James Bell talks to Jesse about what the team found.
Sponges on a deep-water reef off the Kapiti coast. Photo: Victoria University of Wellington
