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.

  • Supercharging the view from above

    Feature story
    From the rocky shores of Wellington’s South Coast to the icy waters of Antarctica, NIWA scientists are combining drone technology with advanced computer skills to map, measure and analyse the natural environment as never before. Campbell Gardiner explains.
  • Know your snow

    Feature story
    With the winter snowpack starting to build, who’s keeping an eye out on conditions in the mountains?
  • Putting the weather on ice

    Feature story
    Sam Fraser-Baxter catches up with a Fiji-born weather technician with a newfound love for the cold
  • The largest flood flow ever measured

    Media release
    Flood flows on the Buller River this month were the largest of any river in Aotearoa New Zealand in almost 100 years, NIWA measurements show.
  • NIWA takes shot at golf course ratings

    Media release
    A NIWA climate scientist has combined work and a sporting interest to benefit golfers throughout New Zealand.
  • Climate scientists making shift to new “normal”

    Media release
    NIWA climate scientists are redefining what’s normal when it comes to the weather.
  • June blows hot and cold – and possibly hottest of all

    Media release
    A weather roller coaster is coming to town and country before the end of the month.
  • NIWA calculates 1:200 year flood for parts of Canterbury

    Media release
    Preliminary analysis by NIWA climate scientists has shown that the recent Canterbury rainfall was so extreme in some inland places that it could be expected to happen only once every 200 years.
  • Sea2Cloud – how marine aerosols influence the atmosphere and climate

    Research Project
    Clouds over the ocean, and how they trap or emit radiation from the sun, are partly influenced by the biology, biogeochemistry and physics of the surface ocean below.
  • Play the climate change game at Fieldays

    Media release
    Farmers visiting NIWA’s Fieldays stand at Mystery Creek next week have the opportunity to see into their future by playing a game that dices with climate change.
  • Field teams and forecasters cover monumental rainfall event

    Feature story
    The prodigious rainmaker that hit Canterbury earlier this month saw NIWA field teams out in the elements collecting flood data from bridges, cableways and jetboat gaugings.
  • Skies looking mostly clear for spotting rare Super Blood Moon

    Media release
    NIWA forecasters say expected clear skies are looking good for spotting the Super Blood Moon on Wednesday night.