A spatial survey of nitrous oxide and methane in the New Zealand Economic Exclusion Zone was initiated in February 2005 which to date has analysed of over 3500 samples on eight research voyages.The aim of this survey is to provide regional methane emission estimates for the SW Pacific where data are sparse,and provide context for national NZ greenhouse gas inventories.Methane is the major greenhouse gas contribution from NZ,with significant national effort focussed upon verification and mitigation of livestock sources,in contrast to identification of natural sources which are poorly constrained.