Hawke's Bay Regional Council coastal and marine scientists are getting a clearer picture of what is going on deep down underwater on our coast – thanks to a new arrival.
'Big Blue' is a remote-operated vehicle (ROV) capable of diving down to 100 metres and filming the underwater environment.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council Coastal Quality Senior Scientist Anna Madarasz-Smith said Council bought the ROV to help map the region's sub-tidal habitats.
Much of Regional Council's work over the next few years will be focused on describing the different types of habitats that the region has beneath the waves.