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.

  • Climate change and variability - report for the Greater Wellington Region

  • Climate change will cause more deaths from air pollution, study finds

    Media release
    New research estimates that if climate change goes unchecked 60,000 more people will die globally from air pollution in 2030 – just 13 years away.
  • So far, so stormy

    Media release
    Today’s low came spinning off the coast of Hawke’s Bay funneling strong winds through the Cook Strait and hitting Wellington region with strong winds before moving on to Taranaki and Auckland this afternoon.
  • Clouds

    Education Resource
    Common questions about clouds, how they are formed and how they behave.
  • Blue Lake, St Bathans

    Seasonal

    Publication series
    Seasonal climate summaries from summer 2001 to the present.
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    What is the chance of a warm summer in Invercargill?

    In this activity you will analyse the Southern Oscillation Index and investigate the chances of getting below normal, normal or above normal summer temperatures in Invercargill.
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    Obtaining climate data from NIWA

    NIWA maintains the national climate database for New Zealand, and can supply data in a variety of ways.
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    Map W South

    Education Resource
    The climate of this area is greatly dependent on its exposure to weather systems from the Tasman Sea and the lie of the Southern Alps to the east.
  • 2012-2013 Drought

    The 2012-2013 drought affected the entire North Island plus the west coast of the South Island.
  • Canterbury

    All aspects of the climate of Canterbury are dominated by the influence of the Southern Alps on the prevailing westerly airflows.
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    Common climate and weather terms

    Education Resource
    Confused about El Niño, or can't tell the difference between an Anticyclone and an Isobar? Let us help.