Our Story
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Our Mission
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Our Vision
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Our Values & Sustainability
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Meet The Team
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Our Story ⋆ Our Mission ⋆ Our Vision ⋆ Our Values & Sustainability ⋆ Meet The Team ⋆
Our Story
Aqualore Labs is a boutique freshwater lab based in West Auckland, founded in 2025 by Chloe and Thomas, two environmental scientists with a shared love for freshwater macroinvertebrates. After working in the industry, we saw first-hand how complex and expensive macroinvertebrate lab services could be, especially for landowners, educators and smaller-scale projects.
We started Aqualore Labs to change that, offering a lab that’s more affordable, targeted and approachable, while still delivering high-quality scientific results. By focusing solely on freshwater macroinvertebrates, we are able to provide clear and accurate ecological data that helps people understand stream health in order to take meaningful action.
The name Aqualore embodies our mission: “Aqua” represents the freshwater ecosystems we focus on, and "lore" reflects the narratives revealed through the biodiversity in each sample. Aquatic macroinvertebrates provide critical insights into the health of a stream, and our role is to translate these ecological stories into clear, actionable information.
“Stream health revealed with clarity”
-Aqualore Labs-
Our Mission
Our mission at Aqualore Labs is to make freshwater macroinvertebrate science more accessible, affordable, and easy to understand, especially for landowners, educators, councils and environmental projects across New Zealand.
By focusing solely on macroinvertebrate analysis, we provide high quality, reliable data that reveals the health of streams and rivers through invertebrates that live in them. Our work is grounded in accuracy, scientific care, and practical use, whether it’s for meeting environmental obligations, guiding restoration efforts, community science, or simply learning more about your local waterways.
We believe stream health shouldn’t be difficult or expensive to understand. That’s why we make ecological data clear, approachable, and backed by real scientific insights, so anyone can protect freshwater life they care about.
“Our vision is a future where freshwater health is clearly understood and actively protected through sustainable, accurate and accessible macroinvertebrate-based science that empowers people across New Zealand to monitor and care for their streams.”
We believe science and care should go hand in hand. From the way we communicate results to the way we pack samples, we’re always looking for thoughtful, low-impact choices that align with our values and make freshwater protection more accessible to everyone.
Our Values
Accuracy over shortcuts: We follow scientific best practices and take the time to ensure results are scientifically robust.
Clarity over complexity: Our results are designed to be read, while still containing all the important information, and not buried in jargon.
Specialised focus: Freshwater macroinvertebrates are our sole expertise, and that’s where we dedicate all our attention.
Straightforward reporting: We deliver clear, honest, and practical results, without unnecessary padding or fluff.
Equal care for every client: Whether you’re a farmer, teacher, or consultant, we treat every client with the utmost respect.
Sustainability
We use glass vials instead of plastic wherever possible.
Our packaging is paper-based, recyclable, and often reused.
We offer batch shipping to reduce courier use.
Our ethanol containers are refillable, not single-use.
Our workplace runs on environmentally friendly light sources.
Meet the Team
Thomas Walker
Director
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Tom holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science and has developed strong expertise in freshwater macroinvertebrate analysis, with a focus on laboratory identification and data processing supported by field sampling across diverse freshwater sites. He has received extensive training in macroinvertebrate identification and assessment, and has successfully completed multiple internal and external NEMS-compliant quality control procedures for all major analysis protocols, ensuring accuracy and consistency in every project.
Tom has co-authored peer-reviewed scientific publications and brings additional capability in freshwater monitoring, GIS analysis, and laboratory quality assurance. He is also certified in Dangerous Goods handling and shipping, supporting the safe and compliant management of laboratory materials.
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Tom values the role of rigorous, high-quality data in environmental decision making. He enjoys the precision involved in macroinvertebrate identification and takes pride in producing results that contribute to a trustworthy scientific record, supporting meaningful action for freshwater ecosystems.
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Visually, the swimming mayfly (Oniscigaster) stands out with its spiked, armour-like body and large gills, giving it a prehistoric look and serving as a reminder that mayflies have been around since before dinosaurs. It’s also a strong indicator of stream health, making it ecologically meaningful.
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Tom loves a good sushi bowl!
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Outside of the lab, Tom enjoys calisthenics, philosophy, camping, hiking, and DIY.
Chloe Collins
Director
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Chloe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management and a Graduate Diploma in International Business Management. She has over two years of professional experience in freshwater macroinvertebrate analysis, with a primary focus on lab identification and data processing, and additional fieldwork across various sites. She has passed NEMS compliant quality control checks for lab analysis and supports high standards in both accuracy and sample handling.
Her background also includes experience in lab quality control, field reports, freshwater sampling and monitoring, and supporting community groups engaged in stream health and restoration.
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Helping turn detailed macroinvertebrate data into something meaningful and accessible, especially for people without a scientific background. Freshwater invertebrates, though often overlooked, offer powerful insights about stream health. It’s rewarding to know our work supports the protection and restoration of New Zealand waterways for future generations.
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Visually, the burrowing mayfly (Ichthybotus) with its feather-like gills and tusk-like mandibles. It’s a strong indicator of stream health, making it cute and ecologically meaningful.
From a technical standpoint, chironomid midges are the most fascinating to analyse. Though small, they offer complex clues about water quality. Subtle anatomical details, such as their mouthpart structure, mentum teeth, or body segmentation, can reveal long-term stress signals or habitat variation. They're a reminder that even the tiniest bug can carry the biggest insights.
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Almond croissants and a coffee, or Duck Island’s Salted Caramel Cacao Crumb ice cream.
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Outside of the lab, Chloe enjoys the gym, exploring the outdoors, and photography.
Slinky
(Unofficial Supervisor)
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Our unofficial supervisor, Slinky has spent countless hours observing macroinvertebrate analysis from the comfort of a chair, heater, or laptop. While not involved in sample handling, she takes a keen interest in the work, especially when couriers arrive at the door.
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Slinky loves Greenies!
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Closely supervising sample packing and unpacking, especially when Greenies or boxes are involved…
