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NIWA heads to Antarctica for critical climate, ocean research

8 January 2021
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.
Antarctica
Climate change
Marine Mammals
Marine protected area
Oceanography
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Wet, warm, cold, dry – the holidays with a bit of everything

21 December 2020
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.
Climate
Weather
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COVID science celebrated

8 December 2020
Government scientists commemorated their 2020 award winners at the annual Science New Zealand awards celebration at Parliament last week.
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Popular services and publications

UV index
Tide forecaster
Cam-era
NiwaWeather
Seasonal Climate Outlook
Our services

More top stories

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.
25 November 2020
Media Release

Fiordland air sharing secrets with scientist

Peter Sperlich needs a strong south-westerly and a cast iron stomach for his next scientific mission.
18 November 2020
Media Release

Marine heatwave conditions forming: NIWA

NIWA forecasters say a marine heatwave is forming around parts of New Zealand after sea surface temperatures (SSTs) warmed considerably last month.
12 November 2020
Media Release

Chance find leads to first look at coral larvae

Small orange flecks spotted floating around in a respiration chamber at a NIWA laboratory have led to a discovery about the spawning habits of a deep-sea stony coral in New Zealand waters.
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Ross Sea life in a changing climate

A multidisciplinary group of researchers onboard RV Tangaroa are spending six 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

Science for a resilient future

17 December 2020

Government scientists commemorated their 2020 award winners at the annual Science New Zealand awards celebration at Parliament recently. This video, produced by the NIWA Communications Team with material from all the CRIs, demonstrates our science working for all New Zealanders.

Scientist spots shark sperm storage strategy

Scientist spots shark sperm storage strategy

6 January 2021
A NIWA researcher has found the first evidence that female deep sea sharks store sperm as a strategy to preserve the species and possibly avoid aggressive mating encounters.

Scientists unite across world for decade of ocean research

Scientists unite across world for decade of ocean research

30 December 2020
In 1872 the HMS Challenger left Portsmouth in the UK on a four-year circumnavigation of the globe to explore the deepsea.

Scientists on the trail of elusive sperm whales

Scientists on the trail of elusive sperm whales

21 December 2020
When scientists head south to Antarctica on board NIWA research vessel Tangaroa next month, they’ll be keeping a close eye out for an animal that is particularly good at staying out of sight.