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

Research

Explore

Services

Explore

Education

Explore

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Map Chatham

    Education Resource
    Extremes of temperature are rare as the Chatham Islands are small land masses surrounded by sea.
    Climate and weather

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Otago

  • Link to source page

    Ocean banner

    What is ocean acidification?

    Education Resource
    Ocean acidification is the name given to the lowering of pH of the oceans as a result of increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere.
    Greenhouse and trace gases
    Climate change
    Coasts

  • Link to source page

    Drought Indicator Maps

    Up-to-date drought indicator maps are shown here.

  • Link to source page

    Seasonal Climate Outlooks can help your business succeed

    Weather forecasting

  • Link to source page

    Shifting Sands – the end of a Kiwi dream

    Feature story
    06 June 2017
    The Kiwi dream of owning a beachfront property with panoramic views of the ocean is under threat—and not just for financial reasons.
    Climate change
    Coastal hazards

  • Link to source page

    Edgecumbe flood damage

    Climate change
    Floods

  • Link to source page

    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.

  • Link to source page

    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.

  • Link to source page

    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.

  • Link to source page

    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.

  • Link to source page

    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