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

    NIWA’s research receives international recognition

    World-class climate and ozone research by scientists at NIWA’s Lauder Atmospheric Research Station has been recognised by meteorology’s leading organisation in Geneva, making Lauder the fourth upper-air site in the world to be certified by the global climate-data network.

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Is extreme weather the new normal?

    News article
    24 March 2015
    New Zealanders have just experienced one of the driest summers on record – great for beachgoers and cricket lovers, but far from ideal for farmers and orchardists relying on rain to maintain productivity.
    Weather hazards

  • Link to source page

    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    23 March 2015
    Weekly update to help media assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought. Regions experiencing severely to extremely drier than normal soils conditions are deemed “hotspots”.

  • Link to source page

    Tropical Cyclone Pam: Update 15 March

  • Link to source page

    Tropical Cyclone Pam: Update 14 March

    Watch the very latest from NIWA Forecaster Chris Brandolino on Tropical Cyclone Pam’s expected movements and impacts on New Zealand.

  • Link to source page

    Tropical Cyclone Pam heads south

    NIWA Forecaster Chris Brandolino discusses possible impacts on New Zealand as Tropical Cyclone Pam begins moving towards our region.

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    Voyage leader's final update

    Blog
    11 March 2015
    Now back on dry land, Voyage Leader Richard O'Driscoll reflects on the final days of RV Tangaroa's 2015 Antarctica expedition.
    Acoustics
    Antarctica
    Bathymetry

  • Link to source page

    NIWA's Hotspot Watch 10 March 2015

    Hotspot
    10 March 2015
    Weekly update to help media assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought. Regions experiencing severely to extremely drier than normal soils conditions are deemed “hotspots”.

  • Link to source page

    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    23 February 2015
    Weekly update to help media assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought. Regions experiencing severely to extremely drier than normal soils conditions are deemed “hotspots”.

  • Link to source page

    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    16 February 2015
    Weekly update to help media assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought. Regions experiencing severely to extremely drier than normal soils conditions are deemed “hotspots”.

  • Link to source page

    (no image provided)

    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    09 February 2015
    Weekly update to help media assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought. Regions experiencing severely to extremely drier than normal soils conditions are deemed “hotspots”.

  • Link to source page

    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    30 January 2015
    Weekly update to help media assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought. Regions experiencing severely to extremely drier than normal soil conditions are deemed “hotspots”.