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Climate, Freshwater & Ocean Science

NIWA

Te Kūwaha Graduate Programme: Applications are open now

NIWA's Te Kūwaha Graduate Internship Programme has been established to help address the growing need for scientific skills combined with capability in mātauranga Māori, while supporting and creating visible pathways for the next generation of Māori researchers.

Marine reserves join ocean acidification network

22 April 2021
A joint NIWA and Department of Conservation (DOC) project is extending New Zealand’s ocean acidification monitoring network to include marine reserves.

Research finds microplastics in fish muscle tissue

18 March 2021
Some of the first research into how microplastics are affecting New Zealand fish species has revealed that microplastic fragments can find their way through the gut lining and into muscle tissue.

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4 March 2021
Media Release

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

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.
19 February 2021
Media Release

Ancient kauri trees reveal a turning point in Earth’s history 42,000 years ago

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.
3 February 2021
Media Release

Oceanic shark numbers decline amid research gaps

A lack of information about New Zealand oceanic shark populations is making it difficult to assess how well they are doing, says a NIWA researcher.
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.
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Read all news releases...

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

Life under the Ross Sea ice

21 April 2021

NIWA researchers are using remote underwater cameras to uncover the rich diversity of life under the Ross Sea and they are amazed at what they are finding in these chilly Antarctic waters.

There’s snow business in the mountains

There’s snow business in the mountains

20 January 2021
On a still and sunny December day when most Kiwis were looking longingly towards the beach, two NIWA researchers staff had their eyes firmly on the Southern Alps.

Keeping tabs on muddy waters

Keeping tabs on muddy waters

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.

From sky to server

From sky to server

11 February 2021
A few drops of rain can go a long way. Campbell Gardiner explains.