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.

  • Raising the bar for swimmable rivers

    Feature story
    The government has released the ‘Clean Water’ package of proposed reforms, aimed at making more of our rivers swimmable. But how is ‘swimmable’ to be measured, and do these measures stack up?
  • Calculated risk

    Feature story
    Imagine if you could foresee what would happen to your home in a severe flood or tsunami, and then work out how to prevent or reduce the impact before any such event occurred.
  • Dairy turns the corner

    Feature story
    NIWA's Freshwater and Estuaries Chief Scientist Dr John Quinn believes the dairy industry has been responsive in the tools it has adopted to reduce its impact on waterways.
  • New Zealand joins global seabed mapping initiative

    News article
    New Zealand joins global seabed mapping initiative
  • NIWA invests $18 million  in New Zealand’s future

    Media release
    NIWA is placing the future of New Zealanders at the heart of its operation by investing in new supercomputers that will significantly enhance scientists’ abilities to solve crucial issues facing the country.
  • Scientists eavesdrop on endangered dolphins

    News article
    The critically endangered Māui dolphin is getting a helping hand from scientists this month who are beginning a year-long research project to listen in on them.
  • Aquaculture Species

    A handful of species we work on
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    Rainfall Deciles (RD)

    If you list all the historic rainfall totals for a particular month and for a specific location, rank these from lowest to highest, then divide the list into ten equal parts, you have identified the ten rainfall deciles for that month and for that location.
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    Water take

    Water take (also known as water abstraction) has a range of valuable public and private uses.
  • Tropical Cyclone Hamish

    Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone Outlook

    Publication series
    A summary of up-coming tropical cyclone seasons, issued 6-monthly.
  • When fresh water meets salty water

    When fresh water meets salty water - a classroom exercise that explores the physics of estuaries.