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Climate, Freshwater & Ocean Science

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Seabirds spend nearly 40% of their time on high seas, study finds

4 March 2021
A global effort by seabird researchers, including those from NIWA, has resulted in the first assessment of where the world’s most threatened seabirds spend their time.
Coasts
Oceans
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Ancient kauri trees reveal a turning point in Earth’s history 42,000 years ago

19 February 2021
A new international study using ancient swamp kauri from Northland shows a temporary breakdown of Earth’s magnetic field 42,000 years ago sparked major climate shifts leading to global environmental change and mass extinctions.
Atmosphere
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Keeping tabs on muddy waters

Feature story
11 February 2021
Estuaries provide a crucial link between our rivers and our seas. Sam Fraser-Baxter heads out with a NIWA research team keeping a close eye on these vulnerable transition zones.

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More top stories

8 January 2021
Media Release

NIWA heads to Antarctica for critical climate, ocean research

NIWA’s flagship research vessel Tangaroa leaves soon on a six-week voyage to Antarctica, making it one of the few full scientific expeditions to the continent since the global outbreak of COVID-19.
21 December 2020
Media Release

Wet, warm, cold, dry – the holidays with a bit of everything

In a year that has brought us a bit of everything weather-wise, we’re happy to report that Aotearoa will be on Mother Nature’s good side this holiday period — mostly.
8 December 2020
Media Release

COVID science celebrated

Government scientists commemorated their 2020 award winners at the annual Science New Zealand awards celebration at Parliament last week.
3 December 2020
Media Release

2020 in top 10 warmest years for New Zealand

This year is on track to be one of New Zealand’s top 10 warmest on record, according to NIWA forecasters.
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Ross Sea life in a changing climate

A multidisciplinary group of researchers onboard RV Tangaroa have spent 5 weeks studying Antarctic ocean, atmosphere and ecosystem processes with a focus on monitoring the effectiveness of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area.

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Features

Examining biodiversity and ocean dynamics in the world’s largest marine protected area

16 February 2021

Researchers are working their way through a wealth of new Antarctic marine data after RV Tangaroa successfully completed its five week scientific voyage to the Ross Sea. Voyage leader and principal fisheries scientist Dr Richard O’Driscoll outlines the team’s busy research schedule examining biodiversity and ocean dynamics in the world’s largest marine protected area.

Check out more stories from the 2021 Antarctic voyage

A job for the buoys

A job for the buoys

11 February 2021
New Zealanders and Pacific Island communities are on their way to having the most advanced tsunami monitoring system in the world.

The future shape of water

The future shape of water

11 February 2021
How much is too much? Susan Pepperell looks at some of the tough decisions looming around access to freshwater and how science is helping with solutions.

Queen of the critters

Queen of the critters

11 February 2021
Sadie Mills has come a long way from scaring the inhabitants of Scottish rock pools. Sarah Fraser explains.