Climate & Weather

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

  • Happy diamond anniversary for some laudable work

    Media release
    A Central Otago scientific research station with a globally revered reputation is marking its 60th anniversary.
  • Scientists examine high winds on Auckland Harbour Bridge

    Media release
    When high winds on the Auckland Harbour Bridge last September caused two trucks to topple over, one into a load-bearing strut, NIWA scientists began thinking about what role they could play in preventing it from happening again.
  • Marine reserves join ocean acidification network

    Media release
    A joint NIWA and Department of Conservation (DOC) project is extending New Zealand’s ocean acidification monitoring network to include marine reserves.
  • Hotspot Watch 9 April 2021

    Hotspot
    Final Hotspot Watch update for this season. Weekly Hotspot Watches will return in the spring.
  • Hotspot Watch 1 April 2021

    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 26 March 2021

    Hotspot
    A 26 March 2021 update to describe soil moisture patterns across the country and to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Hotspot Watch 18 March 2021

    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 12 March 2021

    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.
  • Scientists watching lake on South Island glacier survey

    Media release
    Scientists undertaking the annual glacier snowline survey over the South Island later this month are keeping a watchful eye on a lake that has been forming and disappearing at the junction of the Tasman and Hochstetter glaciers.
  • Hotspot Watch 5 March 2021

    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 changes, impacts and implications for New Zealand

    Research Project
    The Climate Changes, Impacts & Implications project ran from 2012 to 2016 and aimed to update and improve projections of climate trends, variability and extremes across New Zealand out to 2100.
  • Hotspot Watch 26 February 2021

    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.