Atmospheric analysis

North Island hotspots continue to be found across much of Gisborne, northern Hawke’s Bay, and Tararua west to Horowhenua and Kapiti Coast. A small hotspot has also emerged across the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. The only hotspot in the South Island continues to be located in Southland, but it has decreased significantly in size and strength due to the recent heavy rainfall.

Forty intrepid adventurers leave Wellington next week for a six-week scientific voyage to Antarctica.

Current North Island hotspots are found in coastal Gisborne, interior Wairoa, as well as small portions of Kapiti Coast, Horowhenua, and Tararua. The only hotspot in the South Island continues to be a sizeable one which covers much of southern and interior Otago and nearly all of Southland.

A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing these soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.

Beachgoers are being asked to look out for leopard seals over summer and report sightings as soon as possible.

In October a team of scientists from New Zealand and Finland travelled to Antarctica for a scientific diving expedition under the ice.

Read about the science that will be undertaken during the voyage.

Read details about the aims of the voyage and find information about the scientists and crew on board.

A selection of images from the voyage. We will be adding images as they are sent back from the vessel.

A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing these soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.

The voyage is supported by funding from NIWA, MBIE, the Deep South National Science Challenge and the University of Auckland.

NIWA’s research vessel Tangaroa sets off for a six-week voyage to Antarctica in February. Six of those aboard explain what they’re doing, what they’re worried about and the one thing they wouldn’t be without.