Data were analysed from two current meters moored 100 and 300 m off the seabed in the Mernoo Saddle from June to November 1988. The flow was dominated by the lunar semidiurnal constituent M 2 with an amplitude of 15.1 cm s -1 at the upper level and 15.8 cm s -1 at the lower level. The major axes of the tidal ellipses for the semidiurnal constituents were aligned more or less alongshore whereas those of the two largest diurnal constituents, Oj and Ki, were aligned across-shore. Peak tidal period flows of 28 cm s -1 (upper) and 33 cm s -1 (lower) were recorded. Over the entire record, net flow was to the north at an average speed of 3.1 cm s -1 but there were periods of up to 5 weeks during which net flow was to the south. Strong southward flow events lasting 10-12 days were recorded on three occasions and the maximum current speed recorded was 67 cm s -1 to the south. Satellite imagery was used to show that these southward flow events coincide with the influx of warm water at the surface within 5 km of the coast near Kaikoura, and we suggest that the southward flows are caused by this influx of warm water which is carried by eddies from the south of the Wairarapa eddy to the area immediately north of the Mernoo Saddle. There is some indication that internal tides may be significant in this area but inertial currents were found to be weak. M91039

Non-tidal daily mean currents on the south-west flank of Kahurangi Shoals are strongly correlated with the local alongshore wind. A correlation equation was established which accounted for 71% of the variance in the non-tidal flow. This equation also provides realistic estimates of the surface and bottom drag coefficients. Upwelling is prevalent along the north-west coast of the South Island. Under northwards directed alongshore winds in mid March 1983 a plume of cold, saline, nutrient-rich water moved northwards and offshore from north of Kahurangi Point. Warm, less nutrient-rich water moved south from near Cape Farewell between the coast and the plume. A prominent front was developed between these two waters. The plume water in western Cook Strait met the water from the East Cape Current in a subsurface front. The Kahurangi plume can have patches of minimum-temperature water embedded in it. The spacing of about 20 km between patches is consistent with daily modulation of the plume.

Hydrological data obtained during the 1959 winter near Scott Base, Ross Island, Antarctica, are presented. Current measurements were made during the period April to August 1959; electric potentials generated by sea currents were recorded continuously during May and June, and through to August with some interruptions; temperature and salinity sampling was carried out monthly; and the Scott Base recording tide-ga uge was in operation. The results showed that superimposed on the tidal currents there was a residual current transporting very dense water eastwards past Cape Armitage.

Two temperature profiles recorded by a sensitive bathythermograph at the Ross Ice Shelf Project site (82 degrees 22.5'S, 168 degrees 37.5'W) are presented. From the shape of the profiles it is concluded that an inflow of water at intermediate depths provides a source of heat to drive a regime in which ice is melted from the interface at a depth of 360 meters. Melting maintains the temperature of a thick layer under the ice at about -2.14 degrees C, close to the ambient freezing temperature. A very well mixed layer about 35 meters thick was found at the seabed.

Hydrographic data from the region of the Subtropical Convergence east of New Zealand between 177°E and 179°E show that in spring the convergence occurs near the Chatham Rise. North of the Chatham Rise the structure is fairly regular with isolines of temperature and salinity sloping upwards towards the south. To the south of the Chatham Rise the structure is more complex with an apparent intrusion of Subtropical Water into the Subantarctic Water below depths of about 150 m.