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Atmosphere

Atmosphere

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

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Air quality

Greenhouse and trace gases

UV and ozone

Research

CarbonWatch NZ

MethaneSAT

Total Carbon Column Observing Network

Chemistry-climate modelling

Community Air

Post-cyclone air quality

Ventilation and Covid-19 transmission

Traffic emissions - mapping air quality

Tools & services

Trace gas datasets

Carbon dioxide data

Methane data

Air quality monitoring with low-cost sensors

UV & ozone

Facilities

Baring Head Atmospheric Research Station

Lauder Atmospheric Research Station

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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.

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Climate change

Climate change adaptation

Climate data

Climate modelling and projections

Weather forecasting

Renewable energy

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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

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Climate change adaptation toolbox

Weather and climate forecasting services

Drought forecasting dashboard

NIWA Weather

Climate data

Virtual Climate Stations

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Daily climate maps

Understanding our climate

Seasonal climate outlooks

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Sea Surface Temperature Update

Regional climatologies

Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone Outlook

Island Climate Update

El Niño and La Niña

NZ temperature record

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Updated national climate projections for Aotearoa New Zealand

Research Project

04 October 2022

The development of updated national climate projections for Aotearoa New Zealand is underway and expected to be completed in 2024.
Hazards

Hazards

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

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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 2024

Tide forecaster

Sea levels and sea-level rise

Drought dashboard

Serious games as a tool to engage people

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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.

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Fisheries

Aquaculture

Oceans

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Estuaries

Antarctica

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Antarctica

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Oceans

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Aquaculture

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Estuaries

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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

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Open wide: snapper teeth secrets

News article

12 May 2023

NIWA and University of Auckland masters student Georgia Third is getting up close and personal with snapper guts and teeth to understand the differences between biologically distinct snapper populations in New Zealand.
Freshwater

Freshwater

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

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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

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

Mitigation systems

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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.

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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 activities, with a particular focus on the Pacific and Asian regions.

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Pacific Rim partnerships

Research

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

Climate Data for the Environment Services Client (CliDEsc)

PARTneR (Pacific Risk Tool for Resilience)

Tonga’s line fishery

On-Site Household Sanitation Guidelines for Fiji

Energy assessment for Totoya Island, Fiji

Development of sustainable water supply and treatment systems

Services

Pacific Rim Services

Improved climate information and services in Vanuatu

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Fisheries & ecosystems

30 January 2023

NIWA will be determining the impact of fisheries on the aquatic environment. This will inform an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management and the development methods to mitigate this impact.

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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.

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

Contact Us

Contact us for all your enquiries about NIWA

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Education

Education

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

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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

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Te Piko o te Māhuri

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News

News

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

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Publications

Water & Atmosphere magazine

News & Events

Antarctica likely a carbon storage powerhouse

Hotspot Watch 16 May 2024

Lake Wānaka mapped in exquisite detail

Hotspot Watch 9 May 2024

Seafloor impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle revealed

Hotspot Watch 1 May 2024
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Research

Explore all of our world-leading research projects

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