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.

  • ROMS coupled physical-biologeochemical modelling

  • Ecosystem Modelling at NIWA

    At NIWA, we consider all components of the marine ecosystem important when trying to better understand the role of dynamic, ecosystem processes on the distribution and abundance of marine organisms in New Zealand’s marine environments.
  • (no image provided)

    Aquatic invertebrate traits database

    Approximately 500 Aquatic invertebrate taxa are described in this database, made available to assist with the identification of specimens.
  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 2 November 2017

    Hotspot
    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.
  • Extended warmth for South Island

    Media release
    A large area of high pressure will take up residence east of New Zealand for the next few days, bringing more unusual springtime warmth to parts of the South Island from tomorrow through to late next week, says NIWA forecaster Seth Carrier.
  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 26 October 2017

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Across the North Island, soil moisture levels have generally not changed significantly during the past week, while across the South Island, soil moisture levels have generally decreased.
  • Monitoring air quality in your neighbourhood

  • Southern spring sizzle sets records

    Media release
    An immense dome of high pressure stretched across the Tasman Sea onto the South Island yesterday, bringing the highest temperatures across New Zealand since April.
  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 19 October 2017

    Hotspot
    The first weekly update for the 2017-18 summer describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • DART buoy

    2017 - NOAA tsunami warning station

    A tsunami reporting station situated in the Pacific Ocean that is currently off line is to be upgraded in a joint operation involving New Zealand and United States government agencies.
  • Juvenile sea urchins sampled from part of Kaikōura Canyon.

    2017 - Kaikōura coastal zone

    NIWA vessel RV Tangaroa visted Kaikōura in September 2017 to investigate the impacts of the earthquake in the coastal zone, which includes effects on rocky reef habitats and communities, pāua fishery and Hector’s dolphins.
  • Dramatic sea ice decline limits NIWA’s Antarctic research

    Media release
    A dramatic change in sea ice this year is likely to hamper a NIWA-led research project aiming to better understand how ice shelves will melt as the ocean warms.