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.

  • Ocean banner

    What is ocean acidification?

    Education Resource
    Ocean acidification is the name given to the lowering of pH of the oceans as a result of increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere.
  • Lesson 9: Ngā Tohu o te Taiao – Māori environmental indicators

    Education Resource
    This lesson will explore the use of Māori environmental indicators [tohu] to anticipate local weather and climate conditions.
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    Tuna - spawning grounds

    All species of freshwater tuna spawn at sea, although the spawning grounds of only four species are known with certainty worldwide.
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    Canterbury

  • Instream barriers and altered water flow

    Instream barriers and diversions alter the natural flow of rivers, streams, and lakes.
  • Dry stock farming activities

    Dry stock farms can cover large areas of hill-country grassland that may be steep and prone to erosion.
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    Graphing with Microsoft Excel

    How do I create a graph?
    Using Microsoft® Excel is easy because the Chart Wizard does all the work for you!
    Simply enter the data for your data table.
    Highlight the cells you want to graph.
    Click on the Chart Wizard icon on the Tool Bar.
    Select the chart type you want to use and click Next.
    Click Next to confirm the range of cells.
    Give your graph a title, label x- and y-axis and click Next.
    Click on the gridlines tab to remove or add gridlines.
    Click Finish and graph is complete!
    Help, my graph is too small!
    When the chart wizard creates your graph it will probably be too smal
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    Mean number of days of ground frost

    These datasets are available in a range of formats.
  • UV index signage at Lauder

    UV Index Information

    Education Resource
    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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    Suspended-sediment yield estimator

    This national GIS ‘layer’ enables reconnaissance-scale estimation of suspended-sediment yields from New Zealand’s rivers and streams. It has been developed by NIWA in collaboration with Landcare Research.
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    What ails our estuaries - problems and solutions

    Estuaries are at the bottom of the freshwater drainage network and, effectively, are a part of it.