Antipatharians, or black corals, inhabit all the world’s oceans but are generally poorly studied. New Zealand’s waters contain nearly 70 species of black corals, including the endangered endemic species Antipathella fiordensis. In Fiordland New Zealand, the unique environmental conditions restrict the majority of A. fiordensis populations to the top 40m although populations can reach deeper than 100m in some locations creating a vertical gradient of spatial structure. Comparable to other marine species with dispersing larvae, black coral survival depends on successful settlement and maturation, a process dictated by larval density, habitat suitability, and environmental factors. Recruitment, being pivotal for coral population stability, can greatly affect resilience to increasing local and global disturbances. Following local mortality events impacted populations may be repopulated by recruits from less-affected reefs, potentially originating from deeper populations functioning as coral refuges and recruitment sources. This study aims to describe the distribution of A. fiordensis populations in Fiordland across vertical (with depth) and horizontal (from inner to outer areas of the fiords) gradients. By coupling these findings with ongoing genetic research I intend to monitor changes in population connectivity under future environmental scenarios. These information will aid policymaking and resource management in the Fiordland Marine Area.