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

Climate & Weather

Understanding our variable and changing climate is critical for managing resources and reducing risks.

Drought forecasting dashboard

The drought forecasting tool uses innovative climate modelling, the latest in machine learning and other data-driven techniques to predict rainfall 35 days ahead. Helping farmers and growers better prepare for periods of dryness and drought.

Climate and weather

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    Seasonal Climate Outlooks can help your business succeed

    Weather forecasting

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    Shifting Sands – the end of a Kiwi dream

    Feature story
    06 June 2017
    The Kiwi dream of owning a beachfront property with panoramic views of the ocean is under threat—and not just for financial reasons.
    Climate change
    Coastal hazards

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    Coldest seawater discovered

    Feature story
    06 June 2017
    The coldest seawater on earth could help scientists understand why Antarctic sea ice is growing in a warming world
    Ocean flows and productivity
    Oceans
    Antarctica

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    Mean number of days of ground frost

    These datasets are available in a range of formats.

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    Virtual Climate Station data and products

    Virtual climate station estimates are produced every day, based on the spatial interpolation of actual data observations made at climate stations located around the country.
    Climate data

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    Hotspot Watch Updates

    This weekly update helps assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought.
    Climate and weather
    Extreme weather

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    Edgecumbe flood damage

    Climate change
    Floods

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    Tropical Cyclone Cook churning across Pacific

    Media release
    10 April 2017
    NIWA meteorologist Seth Carrier outlines the likely path of Cyclone Cook, which is gaining strength in the Pacific.

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    Tropical Torrent by the numbers

    Media release
    07 April 2017
    The Tropical Torrent that spread over New Zealand this week, produced up to three times the normal April rainfall for some locations in three days, NIWA forecaster Ben Noll says.

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    Tropical Torrent takes aim at New Zealand

    Media release
    31 March 2017
    After thrashing Australia, what’s left of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie is forecast to slowly move across the Tasman Sea over the weekend and soak New Zealand next week.

  • Link to source page

    NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 30 March 2017

    Hotspot
    30 March 2017
    The final weekly update for the 2016-17 summer describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

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    NIWA launches New Zealand Drought Index - a one-stop drought monitor

    Media release
    24 March 2017
    A new tool to monitor drought conditions across New Zealand has been launched today by NIWA.
    Extreme weather
    Scientific Tools & Data