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.

  • Blog: humpback whales on the Iselin Bank - 1 March

    1 March 2018The University of Auckland Cetacean Ecology Team (aka the Whale Team) has been waiting patiently for the last few weeks for an opportunity to get close to some whales.
  • Blog: Krill swarms on the Iselin Bank - 28 February

    28 February 2018We are slowly zigzagging our way north up Iselin Bank as the mesopelagic team have been running their giant fish finder, the EK60.
  • NIWA expertise contributes to healthy hoki fishery

    Media release
    When NIWA fisheries scientist Richard O’Driscoll went to sea earlier this year, he and his team measured so many fish that laid end to end, they would have stretched for 31km.
  • 2018 - Antarctic Voyage Update #3

    2018 - Antarctic Voyage Update #3
  • Blog: Ross Sea phytoplankton - 26 February 2018

    26 February 2018In the last few days our microbial team has been doing intensive sampling of the water column using the CTD, which is deployed every day around noon.
  • Blog: no sea ice - 25 February

    25 February 2018We have been told by people who have previously visited the Ross Sea that you could count on seeing three things: icebergs, penguins on icebergs and seals hauled out icebergs.
  • Blog: Ross Sea Marine Protected Area - 22 - 24 February

    24 February 2018Scientists and crew have been busy assembling an active acoustic mooring for deployment, working on the Iselin Bank and have been visited by an Adelie penguin.
  • Swamp kauri providing a window to the past for scientists

    Media release
    Ancient swamp kauri is being used by NIWA scientists to reveal the secrets of past climates.
  • Five more days from the official hottest summer on record

    Media release
    Despite a sub-tropical storm and two ex-tropical cyclones, this summer is about to become the hottest in history.
  • Blog: atmospheric gas measurements - 21 February

    21 February 2018John McGregor from NIWA checks on the instruments that measure atmospheric gases throughout our voyage.
  • Blog: hospital tour - 20 February

    20 February 2018On trips that take us away to isolated places we need to take a Medical Doctor, just in case anyone requires emergency medical or surgical treatment.
  • Blog: mooring deployments in the Ross Sea - 19 February

    19 February 2018It is -4 degrees outside and our third day of intensive oceanographic work continues.