This dataset presents the locality, and species diversity measures of Recent benthic foraminifera in shallow water (<50 m) around New Zealand. Census data on 89 species of benthic foraminiferal tests from 131 samples from brackish-water environments throughout New Zealand are analysed by cluster and correspondence analyses. Ten brackish-water faunal associations are recognised. When mapped in study areas they can be seen to inhabit distinct estuarine and tidal inlet environments.