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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    Climate summaries

    Education Resource
    In this climate education resource, you can download this climate summary in a range of formats.
    Climate data

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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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    Climate and weather

    Information about climate and weather and links to climate-related websites.
    Climate data
    Extreme weather

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    Edgecumbe flood damage

    Climate change
    Floods

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    Tropical Cyclone Cook churning across Pacific

    Media release
    10 April 2017
    NIWA meteorologist Seth Carrier outlines the likely path of Cyclone Cook, which is gaining strength in the Pacific.

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    Tropical Torrent by the numbers

    Media release
    07 April 2017
    The Tropical Torrent that spread over New Zealand this week, produced up to three times the normal April rainfall for some locations in three days, NIWA forecaster Ben Noll says.

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    Tropical Torrent takes aim at New Zealand

    Media release
    31 March 2017
    After thrashing Australia, what’s left of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie is forecast to slowly move across the Tasman Sea over the weekend and soak New Zealand next week.

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    NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 30 March 2017

    Hotspot
    30 March 2017
    The final weekly update for the 2016-17 summer describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

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    NIWA launches New Zealand Drought Index - a one-stop drought monitor

    Media release
    24 March 2017
    A new tool to monitor drought conditions across New Zealand has been launched today by NIWA.
    Extreme weather
    Scientific Tools & Data