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.

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  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 16 February 2023

    Hotspot
    16 February 2023
    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 weather
    Extreme weather

  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 2 February 2023

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

  • Link to source page

    Auckland suffers wettest month in history

    Media release
    02 February 2023
    January was Auckland's wettest month since records began, according to meteorologists.
    Climate and weather
    Climate data
    Weather forecasting

  • Link to source page

    Mā te haumaru o ngā puna wai o Rākaihautū ka ora mō ake tonu

    A NIWA-led research programme developing a system to map flood hazard consistently across the whole country.
    Climate change
    Hazards
    Floods

  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 27 January 2023

    Hotspot
    27 January 2023
    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.

  • Link to source page

    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.
    Climate change
    Climate change adaptation

  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 20 January 2023

    Hotspot
    20 January 2023
    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.

  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 12 January 2023

    Hotspot
    12 January 2023
    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 weather
    Extreme weather

  • Link to source page

    NIWA's 2022 Annual Climate Summary is now out.

    Media release
    12 January 2023
    It'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.
    Climate and weather

  • Link to source page

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    Virtual Climate Station Network (VCSN) data technical description

    Virtual Climate Station Network (VCSN) data technical description
    Climate data

  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 16 December 2022

    Hotspot
    16 December 2022
    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 weather
    Extreme weather

  • Link to source page

    Protecting people

    Feature story
    15 December 2022
    Mia Blyth talks to an environmental hazard specialist who feels a very personal connection to his work.
    Climate change
    Weather hazards
    Risk and vulnerability assessments