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.

Climate and weather

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    Hawkes Bay

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    Lake Castalia on the upper reaches of the Wilkin River North Branch near Wanaka. Image is looking southwest back down the valley.

    Environmental monitoring

    NIWA collects a vast range of environmental information about New Zealand’s environment from the sky to the seafloor.
    Climate data
    Environmental Information
    Stock assessments and surveys

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    Map Sw North

    Education Resource
    Because of its exposure to disturbed weather systems from the Tasman Sea, this climate zone is often quite windy, but has few climate extremes.
    Climate and weather

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    NZ Drought indicator products and information

    Drought is a common feature of New Zealand's climate. On average, every year or two somewhere in New Zealand experiences a drought.
    Climate change
    Climate data

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    Clouds

    Education Resource
    Common questions about clouds, how they are formed and how they behave.

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    What is the chance of a warm summer in Invercargill?

    In this activity you will analyse the Southern Oscillation Index and investigate the chances of getting below normal, normal or above normal summer temperatures in Invercargill.
    Climate and weather

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    Manawatu

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    Obtaining climate data from NIWA

    NIWA maintains the national climate database for New Zealand, and can supply data in a variety of ways.
    Climate data

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    Map W South

    Education Resource
    The climate of this area is greatly dependent on its exposure to weather systems from the Tasman Sea and the lie of the Southern Alps to the east.
    Climate and weather

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    2012-2013 Drought

    The 2012-2013 drought affected the entire North Island plus the west coast of the South Island.

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    Canterbury

    All aspects of the climate of Canterbury are dominated by the influence of the Southern Alps on the prevailing westerly airflows.

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    NIWA staff profile: Nava Fedaeff

    Feature story
    06 June 2017
    At the age of seven, NIWA’s youngest climate scientist, Nava Fedaeff, swapped sub-arctic Siberia for balmy Auckland – and her first job was to learn to swim.