On 1 July 2025, NIWA merged with GNS Science to become Earth Sciences New Zealand.

Atmospheric analysis

NIWA has been using advanced scientific instruments to measure atmospheric trace gases and isotopes for over 50 years.

  • Roto turf

    Extreme Lakeover: NIWA’s Guide to Rolling Back Life into New Zealand Lake

    Publication article
    A team of NIWA freshwater ecologists have completed their research on the use of biodegradable plant mats as life rafts to help reintroduce native aquatic plants to degraded freshwater lakes.
  • New Technology Enhances River Digital Networks for Improved Water Management

    Publication article
    NIWA scientists have launched a groundbreaking initiative that is transforming mapping of freshwater environments.
  • Koi

    Innovative Methods in Tackling Pest Fish: The Power of Sound and Light

    Publication article
    Could bubbles and strobe lights stop pest fish swimming where they’re not wanted?
  • Waikato River

    Climate Change Disrupts River Sediment Management: Adaptation Strategies Needed

    Publication article
    New research suggests environmental targets for managing fine sediment in rivers may need to be revised to better account for the impacts of climate change.
  • An example of an extreme atmospheric river impacting New Zealand in high-resolution climate model simulations produced at NIWA.

    Extreme atmospheric rivers could double in future climate

    Media release
    New Zealand could face twice as many of the most extreme atmospheric rivers by the end of the century.
  • Godley River

    NIWA – Business as Usual through science sector reforms

    News article
    The Government has announced plans to reform the science, innovation and technology system, changing the shape and structure of Crown Research Institutes, including NIWA.
  • Measuring corbicula_Melchior (2).jpg

    Gold clam life cycle

    Learn more about gold clam life cycle
  •  Riparian planting in the Hoteo catchment area

    NIWA Seeks Crucial Data to Boost Freshwater Protection Efforts

    Publication article
    NIWA scientists are gathering data on freshwater mitigation across NZ to improve predictive models.
  • 2025_02_GOLD CLAM HUI_LO-RES_brennan

    Gold clam anatomy

    The invasive gold clam is native to eastern Asia and is widely established in North and South America and Europe. In New Zealand it was first discovered in the Waikato River in May 2023 at Bob's Landing, within Lake Karāpiro. It has been declared an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act.
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    Guidance for developing decision-support tools

    Guidance for developing decision-support tools
  • Underwater canyon seafloor study reveals landslide and tsunami risk

    Media release
    The risk of undersea landslides and their potential to cause tsunamis along New Zealand’s east coast is being investigated by scientists aboard the German research vessel RV Sonne as part of a month-long international collaboration.
  • Rachel Hale looking at a core sample from a mulitcorer

    Seafloor of NZ's most important fishing grounds shows resilience

    Media release
    Sea life in the seafloor of New Zealand’s most productive and important commercial fishing ground shows resilience to disturbance, according to a new study published in the New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research.