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.

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    What are greenhouse gases?

    Greenhouse gases are atmospheric gases that intercept long-wave (mainly infrared) radiation emitted from the Earth's surface.
  • Estuaries

    Education Resource
    An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water formed where freshwater from the land meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean.
  • UV index signage at Lauder

    UV Index Information

    The UV Index is a measure of the intensity of UV radiation. The UV Index supersedes the idea of "Time to Burn" or "Burn Time", which has been used previously in New Zealand.
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    Mining activities

    A range of different mining techniques have been developed to obtain these valuable resources
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    Fisheries stock assessments

    To get the most benefit from a fish stock in the long term, we need to maximise our yield without damaging the fish population we rely on.
  • Emperor penguin foraging behaviour revealed

    Media release
    An unavoidable delay in a research ship’s voyage to Antarctica resulted in some surprising and important findings about the behaviour of emperor penguins.
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    Electronic Weather Station - NIWA EWS

    These gather top-quality data and are used throughout New Zealand in the National Climate Network.
  • Tuna information resource

    Tuna, or freshwater eels, are the most widespread freshwater fish in New Zealand. This 'living' educational resource summarises a large amount of scientific and technical literature.
  • Wellington science fair

    Science and Technology Fairs

    NIWA is a major sponsor of the Auckland, Manukau City, North Harbour, Waikato, Wellington, Canterbury and Bay of Plenty – Science & Technology Fairs.
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    Weather plots: temperature and relative humidity

    Objective: to observe the relationship between temperature and relative humidity.
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    Mountains in the Sea: the Louisville Seamount Chain

    We are currently steaming out towards our survey area, the Louisville Seamount Chain, which is about 1500 km from Wellington.
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