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.

  • Plankton in the Ross Sea

    Follow a group of NIWA scientists investigating various aspects of plankton which are the base of the Antarctic oceans food web.
  • Play the climate change game at Fieldays

    Media release
    Farmers visiting NIWA’s Fieldays stand at Mystery Creek next week have the opportunity to see into their future by playing a game that dices with climate change.
  • Field teams and forecasters cover monumental rainfall event

    Feature story
    The prodigious rainmaker that hit Canterbury earlier this month saw NIWA field teams out in the elements collecting flood data from bridges, cableways and jetboat gaugings.
  • eFlows Explorer

    Research Project
    The eFlows Explorer webtool is designed to aid broad-scale river flow management planning across New Zealand
  • NIWA establishes first Antarctic GRUAN site

    Feature story
    A NIWA-led collaboration is seeing atmospheric measurements taken from Antarctica’s Ross Island added to a highly respected international climate data reference network.
  • Skies looking mostly clear for spotting rare Super Blood Moon

    Media release
    NIWA forecasters say expected clear skies are looking good for spotting the Super Blood Moon on Wednesday night.
  • NIWA seeks help from skiers and snow bunnies

    Media release
    A NIWA scientist is asking for the help of skiers, mountaineers and alpine professionals to collect snow for a new research project.
  • NIWA in the field: Sampling the Waimakariri

    Feature story
    Environmental monitoring technician Patrick Butler has spent hours travelling between the upper and lower reaches of Canterbury’s Waimakariri and Hurunui Rivers. His mission – river water quality sampling.
  • Storm surge and wave forecasting

    Service
    We combine capabilities in weather, wave, storm surge and tide forecasting with tide gauge observations.
  • Happy diamond anniversary for some laudable work

    Media release
    A Central Otago scientific research station with a globally revered reputation is marking its 60th anniversary.
  • Lost scientific buoy recovered from Kāpiti seafloor

    News article
    Researchers have recovered a scientific buoy from the Kāpiti Marine Reserve that went missing in late March.
  • Scientists examine high winds on Auckland Harbour Bridge

    Media release
    When high winds on the Auckland Harbour Bridge last September caused two trucks to topple over, one into a load-bearing strut, NIWA scientists began thinking about what role they could play in preventing it from happening again.