On 1 July 2025, NIWA merged with GNS Science to become Earth Sciences New Zealand.

NIWA's palaeoclimate research lab

NIWA's palaeoclimate research laboratory is located in Auckland. Our capabilities allow us to undertake a wide range of interdisciplinary research.

NIWA's palaeoclimate research laboratory is located in Auckland. Our capabilities allow us to undertake a wide range of interdisciplinary research, specifically with:

  • a Lintab6 tree ring measurement station with binocular microscope running TSAP-Win for development of tree ring chronologies
  • a NewWave micromill dedicated to microscopic sampling of tree ring and carbonate material
  • microfuges, multichannel pipettes, drying ovens and high-precision microbalances used to rapidly digest tree rings to alpha-cellulose ahead of isotopic analysis
  • GIS capabilities supporting environmental mapping.

A full complement of field and sample processing equipment for tree ring work, including:

  • a range of hollow-shaft hand-operated increment borers up to 1m length,
  • a specialised kit for treatment of increment borers to mitigate spread of Phytopthera Taxon Agathis (PTA, or Kauri Dieback),
  • three Husqvarna chainsaws (with bars up to 40cm for large diameter samples) and hand-held chainsaws.
  • a band saw and large format belt sander for processing tree cross sections.

Tools for our physical geography work include:

  • Mala Ground Penetrating Radar GX system with a 160Hz and 450Hz antenna
  • D-section corer, hand-operated sediment probes and a stratigraphy sampling kit for work in peat/swamp environments
  • cosmogenic radionucleide sampling kit constituting an portable angle grinder, cold chisel and sledge for work in glaciated landscapes
  • three Ramset 2kw concrete drills and a 16” Husqvarna concrete saw for sampling coral cores and microatoll cross sections in the Pacific
  • industrial grade bridge saw for cutting cross sections of corals and speleothems
  • OmniRuptor 4000 sonicator for rapid cleaning of carbonate and sediment samples.