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.

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    Hawkes Bay

  • 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.
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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.
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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.
  • Manawatu-Wanganui

    The climate of the Manawatu-Wanganui region is a reflection of the generally disturbed westerly air flow with interspersed anticyclones, modified in specific places by the local topography.
  • 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.
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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.
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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.
  • 2012-2013 Drought

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

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