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.

  • Juncus banner

    New Zealand rushes (Juncus): factsheets and key

    New Zealand rushes (Juncus): species-level factsheets.
  • Chemical contamination and wood processing

    What are the sources of chemical contamination from wood processing?
  • Scientists explore deepest parts of the Kermadec Trench

    Media release
    Scientists exploring the Kermadec Trench believe they have retrieved the deepest ever sediment sample from the bottom of the ocean using a wire-deployed corer.
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    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.
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    What are whitebait?

    Whitebait are the juveniles of five species of galaxiidae, a family of fish confined to the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Chemical contamination

    Chemical contaminants are chemicals toxic to plants and animals in waterways.
  • Bay of Plenty

    The topography of the North Island has a profound effect on the weather of the Bay of Plenty region.
  • Coconut palms against the night sky in Tongatapu

    Island Climate Update

    Publication series
    A monthly summary of the climate in the tropical South Pacific islands, with an outlook for the coming months.
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    NIWA Hydro Web Portal

    NIWA's Hydro Web Portal provides river flow and water quality monitoring data from NIWA’s Benchmark river monitoring network.
  • National and regional climate maps

    Research Project
    Maps of average annual rainfall, temperature and other climate variables have been produced for all of New Zealand, based on the period 1981–2010.
  • Careers at NIWA

    Find out more about working at NIWA
  • Dry stock

    Dry stock farming consists predominantly of pasture grazing beef cattle, sheep, and deer for meat, wool, and velvet production.