Weather hazards

Autumn and winter rain caused damaging floods and slips across New Zealand, yet again. Susan Pepperell investigates the nation's evolving skill in avoiding and coping with water.

It is well known that earthquakes can trigger tsunami but they can also be caused by landslides – with devastating effects.

For the past year, NIWA’s meteorologists have been on call to provide real-time, comprehensive information about weather patterns that may accelerate a fire.

Imagine if you could foresee what would happen to your home in a severe flood or tsunami, and then work out how to prevent or reduce the impact before any such event occurred.

NIWA is placing the future of New Zealanders at the heart of its operation by investing in new supercomputers that will significantly enhance scientists’ abilities to solve crucial issues facing the country.

Common questions about storms and cyclones in New Zealand.

Due to its position in the 'Roaring Forties', a belt of strong winds in the Southern Hemisphere which generally occur between the latitudes of 40 and 49 degrees, as well as its small size, New Zealand is a windy country.

Maps of the average first and last dates of soil moisture deficit are shown here.

This weekly update helps assess likelihood of extremely dry weather preceding a drought.

Heavy rainfall is one of the most frequent and widespread severe weather hazards to affect New Zealand.

Understanding what happens above and below ground during a flooding event, and how it is different from normal rainfall conditions

New Zealand has low-lying coastal areas that are vulnerable to inundation (flooding) by the sea.