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.

  • Mount Philistine electronic weather station (EWS)

    The Mount Philistine site is located at 1655m elevation on the Main Divide near Arthurs Pass and Rolleston Glacier. It is a high precipitation area and snow records here start in 2010.
  • Mahanga electronic weather station (EWS)

    Mahanga electronic weather station (EWS) is on Mount Mahanga in Tasman. It is at 1940 m elevation near the Nelson Lakes. It's our most northerly South Island site and our snow records here date back to 2009.
  • New weapon in fight against invasive aquatic weeds

    Media release
    A combination of artificial intelligence and scientific ingenuity looks set to be the next step forward in protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s lakes and rivers from invasive aquatic weeds.
  • Study discovers microplastics in New Zealand’s seabed

    Media release
    A pilot study carried out by NIWA and the University of Auckland has found microplastics in samples collected from the seafloor in the Marlborough Sounds.
  • Trustpower's Waipori power scheme

    or over 100 years Trustpower's Waipori power scheme has supplied Dunedin with hydroelectric power.
  • Tsunami generated by underwater volcanoes

    Research Project
    Marsden-funded research investigating how erupting volcanoes can cause deadly and damaging tsunamis.
  • Explosive research sheds light on volcanic tsunami

    Feature story
    Innovative experiments are giving natural hazard researchers and PhD students a close look at how erupting volcanoes can cause deadly and damaging tsunamis.
  • NIWA takes shot at golf course ratings

    Media release
    A NIWA climate scientist has combined work and a sporting interest to benefit golfers throughout New Zealand.
  • Climate scientists making shift to new “normal”

    Media release
    NIWA climate scientists are redefining what’s normal when it comes to the weather.
  • June blows hot and cold – and possibly hottest of all

    Media release
    A weather roller coaster is coming to town and country before the end of the month.
  • New biodiversity memoir on the primnoid corals of New Zealand

    Feature story
    A group of gorgonian octocorals that provide shelter for fish and invertebrates in the deep sea is the subject of NIWA’s latest Biodiversity Memoir.
  • NIWA calculates 1:200 year flood for parts of Canterbury

    Media release
    Preliminary analysis by NIWA climate scientists has shown that the recent Canterbury rainfall was so extreme in some inland places that it could be expected to happen only once every 200 years.