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.

  • On-call forecasting helps fight fires

    Feature story
    For the past year, NIWA’s meteorologists have been on call to provide real-time, comprehensive information about weather patterns that may accelerate a fire.
  • Improved climate information and services in Vanuatu

    Feature story
    The construction of improved climate information and services in Vanuatu has posed unique logistical challenges.
  • Production of Hayward kiwifruit in Bay of Plenty at risk from climate change

    Media release
    The most commonly grown variety of kiwifruit around Te Puke will not be commercially viable in the area by the end of the century, say scientists.
  • Tiny air bubbles reveal new information about greenhouse gas emissions

    Media release
    Sitting at the surface of Taylor Glacier in Antarctica, are layers of ice more than 10,000 years old. And trapped inside those layers are bubbles of ancient air – like tiny time capsules - able to tell scientists a story about what the world used to be like and how humans have changed it.
  • Wellington will get significantly warmer, new climate change report shows

    Media release
    Wellington city will have warmer autumns, almost a month of days over 25°C and up to 10 per cent more winter rain by 2090, according to a new NIWA climate report.
  • Climate change and variability - report for the Greater Wellington Region

  • Climate change will cause more deaths from air pollution, study finds

    Media release
    New research estimates that if climate change goes unchecked 60,000 more people will die globally from air pollution in 2030 – just 13 years away.
  • So far, so stormy

    Media release
    Today’s low came spinning off the coast of Hawke’s Bay funneling strong winds through the Cook Strait and hitting Wellington region with strong winds before moving on to Taranaki and Auckland this afternoon.
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    Map Alpine

    Education Resource
    Mountainous areas are subject to heavy snowfalls, high winds, and low temperatures. Semi-permanent snow and ice fields exist at about 1000-1100 metres during winter.
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    Wellington

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    How do we determine past climate?

    Information about past climate is obtained from piecing evidence together from various sources.
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    Definitions of drought

    There are several definitions of drought, depending upon whether it is viewed as a hazard or a risk.