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.

  • Hotspot Watch 9 May 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Black coral on Tokomaru shelf reef

    Seafloor impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle revealed

    Media release
    Scientists have found evidence of sediment impacts on seafloor ecosystems following Cyclone Gabrielle.
  • Hotspot Watch 1 May 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Better runoff and hazard predictions through national-scale snowmelt forecasting

    Research Project
    Developing a snowmelt forecast system to enable more accurate and confident forecasts of river flow and alpine hazards.
  • Drone measuring methane in atmosphere

    Accurate quantification of methane emissions from waste and agriculture

    Research Project
    NIWA researchers are testing new methods for quantifying methane emissions from agriculture and waste.
  • David McCaw reunited with his RNZ security card 21 years after it was lost

    The curious case of a lost security card

    Media release
    In 2016, NIWA technician Rod Budd is doing a routine dive under the Antarctic ice at Cape Evans, studying the creatures that live there.
  • Rakaia River

    We've got a new look

    News article
    Welcome to our website.
  • Hotspot Watch 23 April 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Hunting for freshwater ‘freak of nature’ in Otago

    Media release
    A team of NIWA scientific divers have successfully searched for a freshwater freak of nature in Otago’s alpine lakes.
  • New study to combat harm caused by anchoring

    Media release
    Ship anchors may cause extensive and long-lasting damage to the seafloor, according to new NIWA research.
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 15 April 2024

    Hotspot Watch 15 April 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Tokomaru-shelf-cyclone-gabrielle

    Impacts on marine environment – fisheries and seabed

    Research Project
    Cyclone Gabrielle resulted in the transport of vast amounts of freshwater, sediment and debris to the marine environment of Te Matau-a-Māui/Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti/Gisborne regions.