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.

  • 2022-23 Summer Climate Summary from NIWA Meteorologist/Forecaster Ben Noll

    It has been a summer to remember, but not in a good way.
  • In numbers: New Zealand’s wild summer weather

    Media release
    It has been a summer to remember, but not in a good way.
  • Hotspot Watch 2 March 2023

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Hotspot Watch 24 February 2023

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Record low sea ice levels mixed bag for Antarctic voyage

    Media release
    Scientists from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) have returned from a six-week voyage to Antarctica.
  • Research aims to quantify New Zealand’s Blue Carbon capacity of kelp seaweeds

    Media release
    A research project co-led by Blue Carbon Services and NIWA will aim to provide New Zealand’s first national estimate of natural kelp-carbon sequestration in the marine environment.
  • Hotspot Watch 16 February 2023

    Hotspot
    A 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

    Hotspot
    A 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 release
    January was Auckland's wettest month since records began, according to meteorologists.
  • 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

    Hotspot
    A 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 Project
    Climate has always been important for Māori. It affects natural environmental systems and resources, influences social-ecological knowledge and practice, shapes community vulnerability and resilience.