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.

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  • 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.

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    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

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    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”.

  • Link to source page

    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    23 January 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

    Measuring and analysing the Southern Ocean seas and atmosphere

    Data collected continuously from this voyage will fill a critical knowledge gap, helping scientists to produce better global climate and oceanographic models to ultimately improve weather forecasting.
    Climate and weather
    Oceans

  • Link to source page

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    NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    16 January 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 January 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
    19 December 2014
    Weekly update to help media assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought.