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.

  • Endothall page banner

    Endothall

    Endothall (Endothall dipotassium) is a herbicide (chemical) that has been registered for the control of freshwater submerged (underwater) weeds in New Zealand.
  • Hotspot Watch 9 October 2025

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Baygold constructed wetlands, Tauranga.

    Wetlands win proves power of partnership to improve water quality

    Media release
    Constructed wetlands project receives NZ award for environmental sustainability.
  • Hotspot Watch 2 October 2025

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • A sailing ship offshore of Honolulu

    Warming oceans prompt major overhaul of how we monitor El Niño and La Niña

    Media release
    Global warming is changing how we monitor one of the world’s biggest climate drivers, says Earth Sciences New Zealand.
  • Hotspot Watch 26 September 2025

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Koru

    Te Kūwaha Graduate Programme

    NIWA’s Te Kūwaha Graduate Internship programme has been established to help support and create tangible pathways for the next generation of Māori researchers.
  • RV Tangaroa in Antarctica

    Antarctic voyage applications are open

    News article
    Expressions of interest are now open for the 2027 and 2029 Antarctic voyages.
  • Hurunui River, North Canterbury.

    Land-to-sea spatial management

    Research Project
    Assessing sediment effects on seafloor primary production via satellite .
  • Offshore wind farm in the UK

    De-risking New Zealand’s offshore wind energy

    Research Project
    A programme to accelerate efficient and accurate assessments of the impacts of proposed offshore developments on New Zealand’s unique marine fauna and habitats.
  • wave

    Catching Marine Carbon

    Research Project
    This Endeavour Fund programme will examine the potential and risks of three marine carbon dioxide removal techniques by studying their natural equivalents in New Zealand coastal and open-ocean waters.
  • Antarctic phytoplankton under compound microscope aboard RV Tangaroa during an Earth Sciences New Zealand voyage in the Ross Sea in 2021.

    Declining sea-ice is altering Antarctic food webs 

    Media release
    A new study shows a significant change in Antarctic phytoplankton over time that could cascade through the marine food web and affect the ocean’s capacity as a carbon sink.