Atmospheric analysis

Temperature trends from 1930s to present day

Stormwater is a major concern for New Zealand because of its potential effects on the ecological health of our urban streams and coastal waters, as well as on the economic, social and cultural value of these environments.

NIWA's High Intensity Rainfall Design System (HIRDS) offers planners and engineers more certainty about the frequency of high-intensity rainfall events, enabling them to better design stormwater drainage, flood defence systems and other vital structures.

Find out more about submerged aquatic plant species.

All aspects of the climate of Canterbury are dominated by the influence of the Southern Alps on the prevailing westerly airflows.

NIWA's seafood sector work comprises our fish, fisheries and aquaculture research and consultancy.

A summary of up-coming tropical cyclone seasons, issued 6-monthly.

Eastern North Island
Gisborne, Napier, Masterton
Sheltered by high country to the west, this zone enjoys a dry, sunny climate. Warm dry settled weather predominates in summer. Frosts may occur in winter. Typical summer daytime maximum air temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C, occasionally rising above 30°C. High temperatures are frequent in summer, which may be accompanied by strong dry foehn winds from the northwest. Extreme temperatures as high as 39°C have been recorded. Winter is mild in the north of this region and cooler in the south.

Generally speaking, a drought is defined as a rainfall deficit which restricts or prevents a human activity – for example, farming or power generation.

Learn how to use the New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database (NZFFD)

Biogas from pig farms