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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    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.
    Climate and weather
    Weather forecasting
    River flow forecasting

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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.
    Climate and weather

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    Southland

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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.

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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.
    Greenhouse and trace gases
    Climate change

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    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.
    Climate and weather

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    Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA)

    Service
    To prepare for changes in climate, our freshwater and oceans decision-makers need information on species vulnerability to climate change.
    Climate change
    Climate change adaptation
    Estuaries

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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.
    Climate change
    Tides

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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.