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.

Management of stream riparian areas - including vegetation and stock access - influences the health of streams and downstream water bodies.

Common questions about storms and cyclones in New Zealand.

Some commonly-asked questions about tornadoes in New Zealand.

Damming water for urban use, hydro-electric power generation, irrigation, and other industrial and commercial uses.

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.

Floods are not unusual in New Zealand, but those that hit us early this winter broke records. Why did they occur? Should we expect more? Can we predict future floods?

Dog Island levels

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

The current method for calculating wind speed-up is inadequate, and can grossly under-predict correct design wind speeds in NZ's complex terrain.

The New Zealand Palaeotsunami Database (Database) brings together all known information about tsunamis that occurred prior to written records.

Antarctica is experiencing stunning skyscapes like those recently seen in New Zealand, thanks to the afterglow effect from the Tongan volcano.