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.

  • The impact of El Niño and La Niña on New Zealand's climate

    El Niño accounts for less than 25 percent of the year-to year variance in seasonal rainfall and temperature at most locations in New Zealand.
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    Map E North

    Education Resource
    Sheltered by high country to the west, the eastern zone of the North Island enjoys a dry, sunny climate.
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    What is the greenhouse effect?

    Education Resource
    The greenhouse effect is a warming of the earth's surface and lower atmosphere caused by substances which let the sun's energy through to the ground but impede the passage of energy from the earth back into space.
  • Regional climatologies

    A regional climatology is a summary of the typical weather and climate of a region, based on historical data observations made at climate stations located within the region.
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    NIWA staff profile: Nava Fedaeff

    Feature story
    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.
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    Tuna - glass eels

    Glass eels (about 5.5 to 7.0 cm) arrive in fresh water during spring, especially during September and October, although they may be present from July to December.
  • Native forests absorbing more carbon dioxide

    Media release
    New Zealand’s forests and other land areas may be absorbing up to 60% more carbon dioxide than has been calculated, with much of this uptake likely occurring in native forests, NIWA scientists have discovered.
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    Mean daily maximum temperatures (°C)

    These datasets are available in a range of formats.
  • El Niño maps and charts

    View a collection of maps showing the impact of past El Niño and La Niña events.
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    Map E South

    Education Resource
    The climate of this zone is greatly dependent on the lie of the massive Southern Alps to the west.