Weather hazards

New Zealanders and Pacific Island communities are on their way to having the most advanced tsunami monitoring system in the world.

A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.

A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.

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

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

NIWA is using serious games to look at problems holistically, support understanding and give a framework for adaptation decisions.

This is one of the most extreme drought events for Auckland in modern times and similar to one experienced in 1993/94.

Analysis of drought conditions across New Zealand this year shows it is one of the most severe on record for some regions.

Moderate soil moisture increases in the western North Island and in the Far North, while soil moisture decreases were observed along the east coast and Wairarapa. Many parts of the South Island saw small soil moisture increases during the past week, although small decreases were observed in northern Canterbury.

A little can mean a lot – especially when it comes to the relationship between sea level rise and coastal flooding.

NIWA climate scientists are asking for volunteers to help give its historic weather project a quick, sharp boost.

Across the North Island, slight soil moisture increases were observed during the past week as a front brought much needed rain to drought affected areas. However, soil moisture levels continue to be well below normal across the vast majority of the island. Across the South Island, soil moisture levels generally increased in the north and decreased in the south during the past week.