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.

  • (no image provided)

    Map I South

    Education Resource
    The climate of this zone is largely dependent on the lie of the Southern Alps to the west, but many areas are also sheltered by high country to the south and east.
  • Farming and the primary sector

    Farmers are making business decisions everyday which are influenced by environmental factors. We can help farmers to improve decision-making, mitigate farm environment risk, and to become more productive, efficient, competitive and sustainable.
  • Winter 2020 – NZ’s warmest winter on record

    Media release
    New Zealand has just experienced its warmest winter on record, according to official NIWA climate data.
  • (no image provided)

    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

    Education Resource
    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is charged with assessing the most up to date scientific, technical and socio-economic research on climate change.
  • Waikato

    Waikato exhibits a range of climates due to the variety of landscapes in the region.
  • (no image provided)

    Mean monthly rainfall (mm)

    These datasets are available in a range of formats.
  • Lauder Atmospheric Research Station

    UVI forecast for Specific Sites

    Check out UV index forecasts for locations in New Zealand (including ski fields), Australia, the Pacific and Antarctica.
  • (no image provided)

    Map N South

    Education Resource
    As much of this climate zone is sheltered by high country to the west, south and in some areas to the east, it is the sunniest region of New Zealand.
  • Climate change scenarios for New Zealand

    Research Project
    Projections of how climate change is likely to affect New Zealand.
  • Bay of Plenty

    The topography of the North Island has a profound effect on the weather of the Bay of Plenty region.
  • (no image provided)

    Mean daily minimum temperatures (°C)

    These datasets are available in a range of formats.