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

he Upper Rakaia snow and ice station, part of NIWA's Snow and Ice Network

Jeremy Rutherford

After a service trip to the Upper Rakaia Snow and Ice Network site, we were waiting for the helicopter to collect us. It was late in the afternoon with the sun beginning to disappear behind the Butler Range and whisps of cloud were starting to spill over the low passes from the West Coast. The site's mast was silhouetted against the sky and appeared to be perched on the edge of the cliff as if watching over the valley below.