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

Climate change

Climate change effects are accelerating, driving the need for actions informed by sound climate knowledge.

Glacier Extinction Horizons
  • Introduction - Township Flood Challenge Game

    Education Resource
    Welcome to the NIWA Township Flood Challenge game.
  • New tool revolutionising drought forecasts

    Media release
    A newly launched tool developed by NIWA and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to predict dryness and drought will help farmers and growers be better prepared for challenging weather conditions.
  • Extreme weather research gets a boost

    Media release
    NIWA has launched a $5 million per year package of new projects aiming to tackle some of New Zealand’s most pressing challenges, including responding to and preparing for extreme weather events.
  • New maps reveal places at risk from sea-level rise

    Media release
    New maps from NIWA and the Deep South National Science Challenge show areas across Aotearoa New Zealand that could be inundated by extreme coastal flooding.
  • Raglan Wharf

    Climate change information for climate solvers

    Helping you understand the science of climate change. The things we can do to combat climate change, individually, and alongside our whānau, school and community, can and will make a difference.
  • Lake Rotorua banner image

    A framework for climate change adaptation – 'pathways thinking'

    Education Resource
    Helping you understand the science of climate change. The things we can do to combat climate change, individually, and alongside our whānau, school and community, can and will make a difference.
  • Antarctica

    Antarctica and the climate

    Education Resource
    This icy continent plays a big part in our global climate and, in turn, is directly affected by changes to the global climate – making Antarctica and the climate inextricably linked.
  • Rangiora cattle

    Climate change and agriculture

    Education Resource
    Helping you understand the science of climate change. The things we can do to combat climate change, individually, and alongside our whānau, school and community, can and will make a difference.
  • Stop bank along the Hutt River.

    Adapting to climate change

    Education Resource
    Helping you understand the science of climate change. The things we can do to combat climate change, individually, and alongside our whānau, school and community, can and will make a difference.
  • Further ice loss for NZ’s glaciers

    Media release
    NIWA’s annual end-of-summer snowline survey has revealed continued loss of snow and ice for New Zealand’s famous glaciers.
  • Dramatic changes in New Zealand river flows, research finds

    Media release
    River flows in New Zealand have changed dramatically over the past 50 to 90 years as the climate has varied, a new study has found.
  • In numbers: New Zealand’s wild summer weather

    Media release
    It has been a summer to remember, but not in a good way.