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.

  • 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. 
  • SUMMER_SPRING SCHOOL BANNER2023_JGS_SpringHui16.jpg

    Summer/Spring School

    The Joint Graduate School runs regular gatherings to connect students and faculty across the university and the NIWA sites.
  • Joint graduate school - Meet the students

    Meet our students & graduates

    Meet some students and graduates who share their experience and where it has taken them.
  • Meet Staff - JGS

    Meet our staff

    NIWA partners with UOA to provide postgraduates with the opportunity to work at the forefront of coastal and marine research.
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 3 April 2024

    Hotspot Watch 4 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.
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    Pacific partnerships

    NIWA works collaboratively with our Pacific partners to support the sustainable management and resilience of the Pacific’s natural resources, environments and communities.
  • tuna

    Taonga species

    Te Kūwaha, NIWA’s Māori Environmental Research team, partners with whānau, hapū and iwi to co-develop methods for the protection, restoration and economic development of taonga species.
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    Freshwater restoration

    NIWA measurement, research and tools support strategies being used to reverse the degradation of freshwaters and restore ecosystems throughout New Zealand.
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    Freshwater quality

    NIWA provides measurement, knowledge and tools to the managers of New Zealand's stream, river, lake and groundwater quality.