Drought forecasting dashboard
NIWA and MPI are working together to develop a new drought forecasting tool. It uses innovative climate modelling, the latest in machine learning and other data-driven techniques to predict rainfall 35 days ahead. It will help farmers and growers better prepare for periods of dryness and drought.
Climate and weather
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Hotspot Watch 16 February 2023
Hotspot16 February 2023A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought. -
Hotspot Watch 2 February 2023
Hotspot02 February 2023A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. -
Auckland suffers wettest month in history
Media release02 February 2023January was Auckland's wettest month since records began, according to meteorologists. The Central Auckland Rainfall series recorded a total of 539 mm of rain at Albert Park, smashing the previous monthly record of 420 mm from February 1869. -
Mā te haumaru ō nga puna wai ō Rākaihautū ka ora mo ake tonu
A NIWA-led research programme developing a system to map flood hazard consistently across the whole country. -
Hotspot Watch 27 January 2023
Hotspot27 January 2023A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought. -
Climate and Māori Society
Research ProjectClimate has always been important for Māori. It affects natural environmental systems and resources, influences social-ecological knowledge and practice, shapes community vulnerability and resilience. -
Hotspot Watch 20 January 2023
Hotspot20 January 2023A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought. -
Hotspot Watch 12 January 2023
Hotspot12 January 2023A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought. -
NIWA's 2022 Annual Climate Summary is now out.
Media release12 January 2023It's official - last year was once again Aotearoa's warmest on record, knocking 2021 off the top spot. It was also the 8th most unusually wet year on record – meaning lots of rain fell in unusual places. -
Virtual Climate Station Network (VCSN) data technical description
Virtual Climate Station Network (VCSN) data technical description -
Hotspot Watch 16 December 2022
Hotspot16 December 2022A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought. -
Protecting people
Feature story15 December 2022Mia Blyth talks to an environmental hazard specialist who feels a very personal connection to his work.