On 1 July 2025, NIWA merged with GNS Science to become Earth Sciences New Zealand.

Citizen science

Increasing interest in citizen science is benefitting environmental monitoring. At NIWA, citizen data supplements professional data, meaning more data collection overall.

Citizen science – New Zealand rainfall monitoring network

For more than a century, a network of volunteers across New Zealand have been measuring the climate and weather and sending their observations each month to be entered into the New Zealand climate database.

  • Link to source page

    Snow covered pole

    Send us your snow observations

    Measurements of snowfall at low elevations around New Zealand are few and far between, and yet the data would be really helpful in understanding how snowfall occurs and quantifying snow-related risks.
    Citizen science
    Climate data

  • Link to source page

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    NIWA serious games terms and conditions

    Terms and conditions for NIWA serious games.
    Citizen science

  • Link to source page

    Citizen science – New Zealand rainfall monitoring network

    For more than a century, a network of volunteers across New Zealand have been measuring the climate and weather and sending their observations each month to be entered into the New Zealand climate database.
    Citizen science
    Climate data
    Environmental Information

  • Link to source page

    Citizen science: Monitoring the Maitai

    Feature story
    11 April 2018
    The first Wednesday of the month finds Philippa Eberlein and her Friends of the Maitai colleagues collecting samples from the Maitai River in Nelson.
    Citizen science

  • Link to source page

    SHMAK

    Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kit

    Service
    How healthy is your stream? SHMAK - the New Zealand Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kit - has been designed to help you find out.
    Citizen science
    Freshwater
    Ecological monitoring

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    How deep is the snow at your place?

    Measurements of snowfall at low elevations around New Zealand are few and far between, and yet the data would be really helpful in understanding how snowfall occurs and quantifying snow-related risks.
    Citizen science