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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    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    Weekly update to help media assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought. Regions experiencing severely to extremely drier than normal soils conditions are deemed “hotspots”.
  • Critter of the Week: the multi-coloured seastar, Asterodiscides truncatus

    This week’s critter is a funky, multi-coloured seastar, Asterodiscides truncatus, commonly known as the firebrick seastar.
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    Summer Series #4: The science of the surf

    News article
    Nothing says summer holiday quite like the rhythmical sigh of waves breaking gently on a sundrenched shore.
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    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    Weekly update to help media assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought. Regions experiencing severely to extremely drier than normal soils conditions are deemed “hotspots”.
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    Critter of the Week: Ecionemia alata (Dendy, 1924) commonly known as the purple cup

    In this week’s blog we explore Ecionemia alata (Dendy, 1924) commonly known as the purple cup or pillow sponge.
  • Summer Series #3: The magic, mystery – and science – of weather forecasting.

    News article
    When it comes to second-guessing the weather, everyone has an opinion. NIWA meteorologist Chris Brandolino has heard most of them.
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    Summer Series #2: The science behind a good homebrew

    News article
    Karl Safi is reluctant to say brewing beer is a science. He thinks it is more accurate – and important – to describe it is a combination of science and art.
  • Summer series #1: The photographers behind NIWA's stunning shots

    News article
    NIWA photographers are well known for their stunning images of New Zealand’s environment. Four of the best discuss their favourite shots and what was going on at the time.
  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    Weekly update to help media assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought.
  • Critter of the Week: the beautiful group of marine snails - Calliostomatidae

    New Zealand marine molluscs are incredibly diverse, with nearly 3,600 species described or known undescribed (Gordon, 2009).
  • NIWA ecologists catch on to a bug's life

    News article
    Kneeling in the mud under the cover of trees, covered in anoraks, sandflies and dedication, three scientists are looking out for the little guy.
  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch 12 December 2014

    Hotspot
    Weekly update to help media assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought. Regions experiencing severely to extremely drier than normal soils conditions are deemed “hotspots”.