Robuta

The UV Index is a measure of the intensity of UV radiation. The UV Index supersedes the idea of "Time to Burn" or "Burn Time", which has...

Our expertise in data visualisation and state-of-the-art recording studio help us communicate forecast information in innovative and engaging ways.

In March 2025, the oceanic markers of La Niña weakened significantly, with most now falling within the ENSO-neutral range.

Balancing the sustainability of our fisheries stocks and the impacts of fishing on the environment with the economic opportunities

CarbonWatch NZ is an internationally-recognised research programme that will enable New Zealand to make the right decisions for a zero carbon future.

Sep 23, 2025 - USC Dornsife Department of Earth Sciences

Earth Science NZ researchers are seeing signs that the breeding season for the invasive freshwater gold clam (Corbicula fluminea) has begun.

Seasonal air temperatures are expected to be above average across all New Zealand regions, with particularly warm overnight temperatures driving this trend.

This project seeks to understand and better implement a Māori perspective within the current marine biosecurity system in New Zealand.

Community Air is a family of research studies, community projects and commercial services that empower local communities to engage with, assess and tackle...

Dec 15, 2025 - The M.S. in earth and environmental sciences offers specializations in research and urban environmental sciences.

Moderate La Niña conditions are currently present in the tropical Pacific

NIWA's coastal hazards research is improving knowledge and providing tools to help understand coastal hazards and potential impacts for Aotearoa New...

A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

Evaluating its strengths and limitations through two Future Coasts Aotearoa case studies

NIWA aims to provide the knowledge needed for the sound environmental management of our marine resources.

Find out more about our specialist analytical services.

Read about the important science being undertaken at NIWA, and how it affects New Zealanders

These guides are designed for rapid identification of freshwater flora and fauna for use in biomonitoring.

Climate has always been important for Māori. It affects natural environmental systems and resources, influences social-ecological knowledge and practice,...

A pilot project has provided the most advanced mapping of a New Zealand lake ever and highlights the hazard to lakeside towns of tsunamis caused by landslides.

An overview of Science at NIWA

El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of a naturally occurring global climate cycle known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation, or ENSO for short.

NIWA’s environmental science helps contribute to sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

James Palmer is the new Chief Executive of Earth Sciences New Zealand.

NIWA brings together experts, partners and technologies to tackle key environmental challenges and deliver solutions to help New Zealand build resilience and...

Developing innovative, non-invasive alternatives for surveying scallops and harvesting.

Neutral El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions remain present in the tropical Pacific.

Monitoring, managing, and delivering environmental information from the sky to the sea.

Scientists are measuring a huge unknown in climate science: how much heat Antarctica emits into space.

NIWA has launched a $5 million per year package of new projects aiming to tackle some of New Zealand’s most pressing challenges, including responding to and...

NIWA’s flagship publication showcases our latest research and examines resource management issues across all sectors.

An overview of historical climate work completed under Climate Present and Past project.

NIWA's Freshwater Centre organises its work around seven research programmes. See the following pages to find out more about our research.

Degraded estuaries are less resilient to the impacts of heatwaves, new research from Earth Sciences New Zealand shows.

NIWA provides measurement, knowledge and tools to the managers of New Zealand's stream, river, lake and groundwater quality.

The Tongan deepwater demersal line fishery is a valuable source of income, livelihood, and social well-being for the people of Tonga. The fishery has a history...

CFCs have damaged the ozone layer and led to higher UV levels and increased health risks. NIWA works to understand the causes and effects of ozone depletion,...

Recommended standards for the design and restoration of instream infrastructure to provide for fish passage

Developing a snowmelt forecast system to enable more accurate and confident forecasts of river flow and alpine hazards.

NIWA and Vanuatu's Meteorology and Geohazards Department have installed a network of fully automatic weather stations across Vanuatu.

Whether you need weather or climate information six hours, days or months out, our accurate forecasts can help you with operational requirements and decision...

Key people involved in Climate Present & Past, including our external research partners.

These booklets help provide guidance on the cultivation and restoration of native submerged macrophytes.

Obtain NIWA35 forecast data from NIWA.

Conduct research and think critically about questions involving the Earth

Te Nehenehenui (previously Maniapoto Māori Trust board) and NIWA are working collaboratively to support Ngāti Maniapoto whānau to reconnect with and...

This programme is focussed on understanding the effects of human use of surface and groundwater systems to inform more sustainable water allocation decisions...

The finishing touches have just been made on a NIWA-led project which aims to prove the performance of constructed wetlands on New Zealand farms.

Earth & Planetary Sciences, McGill University

This Toolbox helps you find out about the changing climate, what it might mean for your business, organisation or community.

Talk to our Pacific team

Building back our wetlands

Introduced pests and diseases can harm the health of Aotearoa New Zealand's marine ecosystems, our seafood industry, and the social and cultural benefits...

Common questions about clouds, how they are formed and how they behave.

In May 2024, a massive landslide buried Yambali village, resulting in significant loss of life and severing road access, prompting an urgent humanitarian...

Key contacts for Freshwater services.

NIWA’s recently commissioned autonomous hydroacoustic boat has been used to survey lakes for Auckland Council, including Lakes Rototoa and Tomarata....

NIWA produces a wide range of posters, including weather, climate, hazards and bathymetry.

Understanding the future of marine ecosystems in a changing environment, for sustainable fisheries and marine ecosystem health.

NIWA has developed a model to assess the potential weed risk of aquatic plants.

NIWA is working with major Chinook salmon producers to explore alternative farming technologies that circumvent the need for additional inshore marine farming...

Oct 11, 2022 - This guest post is authored by Phoebe McMellon, CEO of GeoScienceWorld For well over a year, the world’s attention has been focused on the COVID-19 pandemic,...

Constructed wetlands are a water quality restoration tool that can reduce levels of sediment, nutrients and microbes such as E. coli.

Biological traits analysis is a valuable tool for measuring ecosystem function

NIWA's forecasting services are underpinned by experienced meteorologists and in-house proprietary modelling.

Find out more about the MBIE project

NIWA's vessels are world-class environmental monitoring and research platforms.

The latest update from TAN2502 Ross Sea RV Tangaroa “ACTUATE” Voyage

Kaikōura Canyon reveals its muddy secrets

NIWA has developed a series of iwi engagement booklets sharing science knowledge to support species management strategy.

A monthly summary of the climate in the tropical South Pacific islands, with an outlook for the coming months.

ENSO-neutral (El Niño – Southern Oscillation) conditions remain present in the tropical Pacific, but a La Niña Watch is in effect.

Following extreme weather events in 2023, NIWA reprioritised research to help affected communities recover and prepare for the future.

NIWA is leading a new six-year research project that seeks to increase our understanding of piharau/kanakana/lamprey, using Mātauranga Māori, social science...

NIWA plays a pivotal role in weather hazards research, providing critical information and tools for assessing, monitoring, and managing weather-related risks...

An interactive guide to the jellyfish of New Zealand.

An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water formed where freshwater from the land meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean.

We provide an overview of New Zealand climate data for use in school projects.

A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

Supporting research on Antarctic atmospheric processes and aquatic ecosystems.

World class research contributing to our understanding of greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, and urban air pollution.

NIWA has established a network of high elevation electronic weather stations to provide a solid basis to understand seasonal patterns and long-term changes to...

NIWA’s Stream Health Monitoring Assessment Kit (SHMAK) gives land owners, iwi, school and community groups simple, scientifically-sound tools and resources...

To keep you informed on our research, tools and resources we have launched our regular e-newsletter update.

Transforming coastal lowland systems threatened by sea-level rise into prosperous communities

NIWA's Urban Runoff Quality Information System (URQIS) provides planners, engineers and researchers with information about the quality of stormwater from...

NIWA works collaboratively with our Pacific partners to support the sustainable management and resilience of the Pacific’s natural resources, environments...

NIWA's state of the art Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) facility supports our research and commercial analyses, providing tailor-made solutions...