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Happy diamond anniversary for some laudable work

Media Release
5 May 2021
A Central Otago scientific research station with a globally revered reputation is marking its 60th anniversary.

Ancient kauri trees reveal a turning point in Earth’s history 42,000 years ago

Media Release
19 February 2021
A new international study using ancient swamp kauri from Northland shows a temporary breakdown of Earth’s magnetic field 42,000 years ago sparked major climate shifts leading to global environmental change and mass extinctions.

Fiordland air sharing secrets with scientist

Media Release
25 November 2020
Peter Sperlich needs a strong south-westerly and a cast iron stomach for his next scientific mission.

Fresh scientific scrutiny for Arrowtown air

Media Release
5 June 2020
NIWA scientists have set up air quality sensors every 100 metres across Arrowtown in what is believed to be the world’s densest air monitoring network.

Scientists seek smoke sniffers

Media Release
7 May 2020
NIWA scientists are seeking help to sniff out smoke in a bid to help improve air quality in New Zealand.

Pollution levels soar in Level 3, says NIWA

Media Release
30 April 2020
Traffic pollution measurements in Auckland since Level 4 restrictions were eased on Tuesday have shown levels soaring even higher than those before lockdown, NIWA air quality scientists say.

Bushfire smoke continues trip around world

Media Release
23 April 2020
A blob of smoke from the Australian bushfires is continuing to circle the globe almost four months after it formed.

Lockdown air quality keeps getting better

Media Release
16 April 2020
Pollution levels in our main cities are continuing to fall as a result of the nationwide lockdown, says NIWA.

Steep improvements seen in Auckland air quality, says NIWA

Media Release
30 March 2020
NIWA scientists say air quality has dramatically improved in Auckland since the COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown was instigated.

Unprecedented carbon monoxide readings measured in Central Otago

Media Release
11 December 2019
Researchers at NIWA’s Lauder atmospheric research station in Central Otago have measured prolonged carbon monoxide concentrations well above normal levels.

Fiordland air samples revealing carbon secrets

Media Release
18 September 2019
Air samples from the native Fiordland forest are being collected by researchers as one of the first steps in an ambitious new NIWA-led project to reassess New Zealand’s carbon budget.

NIWA UV research reinforces success of Montreal Protocol

Media Release
4 September 2019
On the eve of the 30th anniversary since the Montreal Protocol came into force, new research by NIWA scientists reinforces its reputation as the world’s most successful environmental treaty.

NIWA reveals Arrowtown air quality standards breached every time temperature plummets

Media Release
5 July 2019
The first month of data from NIWA’s air quality monitoring project in Arrowtown reveals that air quality has already breached the national standard eight times this winter, including six times in the week from 19 to 26 June – in fact every time the air temperature dropped below freezing.

Students, scientists, citizens study Arrowtown’s ailing air

Media Release
7 May 2019
Arrowtown may be known for its picturesque autumn scenery, but in winter this tiny Central Otago town has a problem.

World Earth Day: Air quality and its effects on respiratory health

Media Release
15 April 2019
A newly formed partnership between Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ and NIWA aims to provide the latest air quality research to over 700,000 people living with respiratory conditions in New Zealand.

Carbon research grant “exceptional moment” for scientist

Media Release
13 September 2018
A NIWA-led team has today been awarded a multi-million dollar research grant that will help drive major advances in understanding of New Zealand’s carbon emissions and uptake

Scientists bring in schoolchildren to help with air quality research

Media Release
22 May 2018
Pupils at a Central Otago primary school are helping NIWA air quality scientists learn more about pollution in their town in a four-month project that will track where smoke comes from and where it goes over winter.

Light shines on UV radiation research

Media Release
29 March 2018
Sun worshippers may feel the burn next week as scientists and health professionals from around the world meet in Wellington to discuss the latest research on the effects of UV radiation.

Wellington students to swap books for nature

Media Release
27 November 2017
A group of talented Wellington students will be packing their books away this summer and heading into the environment after each winning a Blake Ambassador Award.

Profile: Wills Dobson - small town, huge horizons

Feature story
5 October 2017
If it wasn't for a damaged shoulder, Wills Dobson wouldn't be launching weather balloons or fixing high-precision atmospheric measuring instruments.

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