Hazards

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.

Generally speaking, a drought is defined as a rainfall deficit which restricts or prevents a human activity – for example, farming or power generation.

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

This system combines daily sea-level data from NIWA, regional councils, port companies, Antarctica NZ, Bureau of Meteorology and territorial authorities.

NIWA collects wave data, develops and verifies wave forecasting systems, and is developing and producing wave projections.

Coastal risk exposure for New Zealand, adaptation guidance for local government and relevant summaries of previous court cases and Building Act 2004 determinations.

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

Tsunami is a Japanese word meaning great wave in harbour.

A glossary of common climate change and meteorological terms.

River floods occur when water spills from a river channel onto land that is normally dry, and are one of New Zealand's costliest natural hazards.

Information about climate and weather and links to climate-related websites.