Facilities at WUCEL

Examining samples in our research lab.

Our laboratory

The Wellington University Coastal Ecology Lab (WUCEL) provides 816 square metres of state of the art research space, including:

  • A fully functional research laboratory constructed to PC-2 standards
  • Two wet lab facilities with access to both raw and filtered flow-through seawater
  • Office space for up to 30 WUCEL research students and staff
  • A substantial staging area for coastal and subtidal research.

Equipment database

Our online equipment database showcases a selection of the specialised equipment and facilities owned and operated by the University. You can explore them using our search tool.

Vessels and vehicles

WUCEL maintains four sea-going research vessels. The 8.5m tri-hull Raukawa Challenger is well suited to both local and distant use. Our three 4.6m aluminium StabiCraft vessels (the Pipi, Tuatua and the Tipa) support much of the work in Wellington Harbour, the Kapiti coast and in sheltered sections of the Wellington south coast. WUCEL also has three support vehicles.