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.

  • algal bloom

    Algal monitoring service

    Service
    Blooms of hazardous cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in rivers, lakes and reservoirs can cause problems for both animal and human health.
  • (no image provided)

    What is the greenhouse effect?

    Education Resource
    The greenhouse effect is a warming of the earth's surface and lower atmosphere caused by substances which let the sun's energy through to the ground but impede the passage of energy from the earth back into space.
  • (no image provided)

    Hotspot Watch Updates

    This weekly update helps assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought.
  • Juncus banner

    New Zealand rushes (Juncus): factsheets and key

    New Zealand rushes (Juncus): species-level factsheets.
  • Wave action

    Feature story
    New Zealand’s coast is sculpted by ocean waves. Some wave conditions bring joy to surfers and beachgoers, but, at other times, waves can cause major hazards at sea or along the shore.
  • Chemical contamination and wood processing

    What are the sources of chemical contamination from wood processing?
  • (no image provided)

    Algae ID guides

    A collection of ID guides to algae. Groups include major freshwater algal groups, diatoms and blue-green (cyanobacteria), red and green algae.
  • Canterbury Wave Conditions

    Software Tool/Resource
    NIWA run a computer model which simulates wave heights across the Canterbury continental shelf and along the coast.
  • Bay of Plenty

    The topography of the North Island has a profound effect on the weather of the Bay of Plenty region.
  • Publicly available data and publications

    Facility
    NIWA makes available and regularly updates results from several greenhouse gas measurement projects.
  • (no image provided)

    Mussels: more, fresher, better

    Feature story
    The seafood counter at your local supermarket has changed.
  • (no image provided)

    Mean relative humidity

    Dataset available for download