NIWA

Climate, Freshwater & Ocean Science

Homepage revamp Nov 2018

Ambitious NIWA-led Antarctic Ocean project gets go-ahead

18 June 2019
Understanding how the Antarctic oceans work is vital to predicting the world’s future climate and the implications of climate change for humankind and the planet.
Climate change
Oceanography
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Thermal images reveal heat levels in New Zealand’s glaciers

23 May 2019
Thermal images taken by a NIWA scientist during this year’s aerial survey of South Island glaciers have revealed in extraordinary detail how heat in the surrounding landscape is affecting the ice.
Climate
Climate change
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NIWA reveals Arrowtown air quality standards breached every time temperature plummets

5 July 2019
The first month of data from NIWA’s air quality monitoring project in Arrowtown reveals that air quality has already breached the national standard eight times this winter, including six times in the week from 19 to 26 June – in fact every time the air temperature dropped below freezing.
Air Quality
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Popular services and publications

UV index
Tide forecaster
Cam-era
NiwaWeather
Seasonal Climate Outlook
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More top stories

2 July 2019
Media Release

2019 so far - a story of weather and climate extremes

We’re now halfway through 2019 and NIWA climate data from the first six months tell a dramatic story of weather and climate extremes.
20 June 2019
Media Release

It only gets brighter from tomorrow!

We’re here already – the shortest day is tomorrow (Saturday) and after this, it gets progressively lighter out to the longest day of the year in December.
10 June 2019
Media Release

Fieldays Weather 2019: a mix of rain, sun, fog and fun

If you’re planning a visit to the National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek this week, here’s what you can expect from the weather.
5 June 2019
Media Release

Come jump in a lake with NIWA

Visitors to NIWA’s stand at this year’s Fieldays are invited to go diving into the Rotorua lakes—without having to get wet.
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Climate change

Climate change effects are accelerating, driving the need for actions informed by sound climate knowledge.

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Features

Ocean acidification—what is it?

18 February 2019

The on-going rise of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is not only changing our climate—it is also changing our oceans. Take a look at the work of the NIWA-led CARIM project into what these changes may mean for the delicate balance of marine life.

Super-model for a worldwide stage

Super-model for a worldwide stage

12 June 2019
Demands for new weather and climate predictions are unprecedented as nations struggle to understand their exposure to risk from severe climatic events.

Protecting freshwater taonga

Protecting freshwater taonga

12 June 2019
Taonga species such as tuna (freshwater eels), kōura (freshwater crayfish) and kākahi (freshwater mussels) are central to the identity and wellbeing of many Māori.

A bird's-eye view of our carbon balance

A bird's-eye view of our carbon balance

13 June 2019
Dr Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher is looking to turn the internationally accepted science of monitoring greenhouse gas emissions upside down – and the rest of the world is watching closely.