Skip to main content

Primary menu

Atmosphere

Atmosphere

World class research contributing to our understanding of greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, and urban air pollution.

Explore all

Air quality

Greenhouse and trace gases

UV and ozone

Research

Accurate quantification of methane emissions from waste and agriculture

CarbonWatch NZ

MethaneSAT

Total Carbon Column Observing Network

Chemistry-climate modelling

Tools & services

Trace gas datasets

Carbon dioxide data

Methane data

UV & ozone

Facilities

Baring Head Atmospheric Research Station

Lauder Atmospheric Research Station

Link to source page

MethaneSAT

Research Project

10 May 2023

Detecting and quantifying methane emissions by satellite
Climate & Weather

Climate & Weather

Understanding our variable and changing climate is critical for managing resources and reducing risks.

Explore all

Climate change

Climate change adaptation

Climate data

Climate modelling and projections

Weather forecasting

Renewable energy

Research

Updated national climate projections

Physics + AI climate projections

Nowcasting for solar and wind

Climate present and past

Providing climate change advice for NZ

Forecasting weather systems

Citizen science - rainfall monitoring

Serious games as a tool to engage people

Tools & services

Climate change adaptation toolbox

Weather and climate forecasting services

Drought forecasting dashboard

Leveraging updated climate projections

Climate data

Virtual Climate Stations

Climate mapping

Daily climate maps

Understanding our climate

Seasonal climate outlooks

Climate summaries

Sea Surface Temperature Update

Regional climatologies

Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone Outlook

Island Climate Update

El Niño and La Niña

NZ temperature record

Link to source page

NIWA can help you leverage updated climate projections

Service

29 August 2024

NIWA is using updated climate projections to help New Zealanders better understand climate-related risks.
Hazards

Hazards

Nature can be a destructive force. Our science prevents property damage and saves lives.

Explore all

Coastal hazards

Weather hazards

Geological hazards

Research

Future Coasts Aotearoa

Identifying rip currents using AI

Riskscape software

Mā te haumaru ō te wai: Aotearoa flood resilience

Responding to and preparing for extreme weather events

Forecasting weather systems

Tsunami generated by underwater volcanoes

River flow forecasting

Tools & services

Extreme coastal flood maps for Aotearoa New Zealand

Storm-tide red-alert days 2025

Tide forecaster

Sea-level rise

Drought dashboard

Serious games as a tool to engage people

Link to source page

Tonga eruption confirmed as largest ever recorded

Media release

21 November 2022

A New Zealand-led team has completed the fullest investigation to date into January’s eruption of the underwater Tongan volcano.
Coasts & Oceans

Coasts & Oceans

NIWA aims to provide the knowledge needed for the sound environmental management of our marine resources.

Explore all

Fisheries

Aquaculture

Oceans

Coasts

Estuaries

Antarctica

Research

Antarctica

Aquaculture

Coasts

Estuaries

Fisheries

Oceans

Tools & Services

Aquaculture

Coasts

Estuaries

Fisheries

Oceans

NIWA Vessels

Frequently visited

Kingfish aquaculture

Future Coasts Aotearoa

Marine biosecurity

The Ross Sea toothfish fishery

Recreational Fishing

Marine identification guides

Voyages

eDNA research and services

Link to source page

Ross Sea “ACTUATE” Voyage 2025

RV Tangaroa voyage to the Ross Sea, the ship’s 16th voyage to Antarctica and Southern Ocean.
Freshwater

Freshwater

We provide public information on river, lake, and groundwater conditions across New Zealand including water quantity and quality.

Explore all

Ecological monitoring

Ecotoxicology

Freshwater fish

Freshwater invertebrates

Freshwater quality

Freshwater restoration

Research

Investigating ecological impacts on freshwater insects from LED streetlights

Effective mitigation systems to manage contaminant losses

Cultural Keystone Species

Freshwater bioremediation using native mussels

Hauraki Integrated Land-Water Modelling

Snow and Ice Network

Stopping the gold clam: it's now or never

Services

Climate change freshwater impacts assessments

Specialist analytical services

Flow assessment and management

Freshwater databases online

Freshwater species and habitat management

Stormwater management

Catchment modelling

Water quality monitoring and advice

Tools & Resources

Riparian Buffer Design Guide

Constructed wetland guidelines

The New Zealand Water Model (NZWaM)

Biosecurity tools

Environmental flow tools

Fish Passage Assessment Tool

New Zealand streamflow depletion model

CLUES – Catchment Land Use for Environmental Sustainability model

Programmes

Freshwater species ecology and management

Hydrological observations and predictions

Environmental flows

Causes and effects of water quality degradation

Freshwater biosecurity

Freshwater mitigation systems

Link to source page

Freshwater invertebrate identification and e-guides

Education Resource

06 February 2023

Downloadable and printable guides on identification of common freshwater invertebrates found in New Zealand waterways and lakes.
Te Kūwaha

Te Kūwaha

Working together with hapū, iwi, Māori communities and Māori business to deliver tailored science.

Explore all

Taonga species

Research

Cultural Keystone Species

Maniapoto Cultural Assessment Framework

The impact of non-native marine pests on our takutai moana

Ngā repo o Maniapoto - Maniapoto wetland inventory

Tools & Resources

Taonga Species Series

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA)

Kaitiaki Tools

Trends analysis for selected indicators of Waikato River health

Climate and Māori society

Link to source page

Te Kūwaha Graduate Programme

19 January 2023

NIWA’s Te Kūwaha Graduate Internship programme has been established to help support and create tangible pathways for the next generation of Māori researchers.
Pacific

Pacific

We provide applied science and environmental consultancy services to support international development. NIWA works collaboratively with Pacific partners to support the sustainable management and resilience of natural resources, environments & communities.

Explore all

Pacific climate

Pacific fisheries and aquaculture

Pacific hazards

Pacific hydrography

Pacific marine biosecurity

Pacific ocean science

Partnerships

A Floating University for the Pacific

Pacific Centre for Seabed 2030

Pacific Ocean Acidification Training Hub

Research Projects

Pacific Risk Tool for Resilience, Phase 2 (PARTneR-2)

Improved sustainability of the demersal line fishery in Tonga

Development of sustainable water supply and treatment systems

Tools & Services

Island Climate Update

Riskscape

Climate Data for the Environment Services Client (CliDESc)

Climatology maps for Vanuatu

On-Site Household Sanitation Guidelines for Fiji

Link to source page

Island Climate Update

Publication series

06 June 2017

A monthly summary of the climate in the tropical South Pacific islands, with an outlook for the coming months.

Secondary menu

About

About

Decision makers at all levels are seeking evidence-based analysis and advice from environmental experts. NIWA’s science provides high quality insights to underpin important decisions, and innovative solutions.

Explore all

Our people

Our board

Executive team

Science management team

Operations management team

Staff search

Careers at NIWA

Our work

Work-life balance

The process

Careers - FAQs

Coming from overseas?

About us

Our company

Our mission

Statement of Core Purpose

Annual reports

Our partners & funders

More about us

Organisational sustainability charter

NIWA and Kia Toipoto - Closing gender and ethnic pay gaps
Contact Us

Contact Us

Contact us for all your enquiries about NIWA

Explore all

Contacts

Contact us for general, media and website enquiries

NIWA locations
Education

Education

NIWA is committed to education in New Zealand at all levels.

Explore all

Education and information

Climate change

Clouds

Common hydrological terms

Common climate and weather terms

Drought

El Niño and La Niña

Southern Annular Mode

Storms and cyclones

Resources for teachers – lessons and activities

My coastal futures: adapting to climate change

Township flood challenge: adapting to more extreme weather

Rangi: understanding weather and climate

Air aware: air quality lessons

Estuaries: when fresh water meets salty

Other climate data and activities

NIWA posters to order

More education

Science and technology fairs

Te Kūwaha Graduate Programme

Te Piko o te Māhuri

Scholarships

Supporting postgraduate students

Post-doctoral fellowships

NIWA training courses
News

News

Read about the important science being undertaken at NIWA, and how it affects New Zealanders

Explore all

News manual links

Publications

Water & Atmosphere magazine

News & Events

Golden elegant enigma seeks ‘2025 Bug of the Year’ crown

Science sector reforms

Antarctic voyage to venture further south than ever before

New fisheries research vessel gearing up for work

Rolling life back into New Zealand’s lakes

Scientists capture stunning snapshots
Videos

Videos

Explore all

Videos
Publications

Publications

Explore all
Research

Research

Explore all of our world-leading research projects

Explore all
Services

Services

Services and products

Explore all

Services