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
  • 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.
  • Marine reserves join ocean acidification network

    Media release
    A joint NIWA and Department of Conservation (DOC) project is extending New Zealand’s ocean acidification monitoring network to include marine reserves.
  • Scientists watching lake on South Island glacier survey

    Media release
    Scientists undertaking the annual glacier snowline survey over the South Island later this month are keeping a watchful eye on a lake that has been forming and disappearing at the junction of the Tasman and Hochstetter glaciers.
  • Climate changes, impacts and implications for New Zealand

    Research Project
    The Climate Changes, Impacts & Implications project ran from 2012 to 2016 and aimed to update and improve projections of climate trends, variability and extremes across New Zealand out to 2100.
  • Ancient kauri trees reveal a turning point in Earth’s history 42,000 years ago

    Media release
    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.
  • NIWA heads to Antarctica for critical climate, ocean research

    Media release
    NIWA’s flagship research vessel Tangaroa leaves soon on a six-week voyage to Antarctica, making it one of the few full scientific expeditions to the continent since the global outbreak of COVID-19.
  • Freshwater species show vulnerability to climate change

    Media release
    A new study has identified seven freshwater species native to Aotearoa-New Zealand that will likely be highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change.
  • Serious games as a tool to engage people

    Service
    NIWA is using serious games to look at problems holistically, support understanding and give a framework for adaptation decisions.
  • Lesson 13: Glaciers

    Education Resource
    Glaciers are beautiful to see and are a majestic, pristine part of our natural landscape. But what exactly is a glacier, and how do they work?
  • Lesson 12: Computing the climate

    Education Resource
    We can explore how the world may change due to climate change by creating climate models.
  • Locked down, but breathing freely

    Feature story
    Some of the most striking images of lockdown around the world have been the blue skies of cities ordinarily choking in smog. From New Delhi to Los Angeles, Beijing to Paris, the changes were so remarkable they were visible from space.
  • Lesson 8: Climate and weather extremes

    Education Resource
    New Zealand’s climate can be defined as ‘temperate’. However, every so often we experience extremes.