NICOLE MILLER / NEW ZEALAND

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A keen explorer of the underwater world, Nicole is reshaping how citizen science and visual storytelling connect people of all ages to their local marine environment. As the founder of Explore Your Coast, she is passionate about bringing the underwater world to shore and inspiring communities across New Zealand to protect and restore local marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

Nicole has developed an immersive 360° virtual tour of her local marine reserve, allowing kids and adults to experience the thrill of diving and coming face-to-face with marine life—without getting wet. She also created a self-guided video tour enabling visitors and residents to explore the marine reserve from shore by scanning QR codes along the coast.

In her latest project, Nicole is diving and filming 70 kilometers of Wellington’s coastline to document the state of kelp forests and other marine habitats. Recognized for her innovative work, Nicole received the Dive New Zealand Wyland Foundation Award and a Winston Churchill Fellowship in 2024.

Find out more: www.exploreyourcoast.co.nz