Skip to main content

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

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

Remote sensing

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

Energy

Primary sector

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

Wave hazard research

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 2026

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

Energy

Primary sector

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

Marine carbon

Link to source page

NIWA Vessels

NIWA's vessels are world-class environmental monitoring and research platforms.
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

Primary sector

Research

Stopping the gold clam: it's now or never

Roto Turf: Aquatic plant ‘life rafts’ in degraded lakes

Freshwater mitigation systems

Fish Passage

High Frequency Water Quality Monitoring Guidance

Bio-Acoustic Fish Fence

Snow and Ice Network

Services

NIWA Water Quality Laboratory

Algal monitoring service

Ecotoxicology services

Freshwater aquatic plants

LakeSPI: Keeping tabs on lake health

Water quality modelling

Tools & Resources

Freshwater databases online

Fish Passage Guidelines

Guidelines for monitoring fish passage success

Freshwater Fish database

Freshwater pest species

Riparian Buffer Design Guide

Constructed wetland guidelines

Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kit (SHMAK)

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

Stopping the gold clam: it's now or never

A NIWA-led programme to develop effective, and culturally-attuned strategies for managing the freshwater gold clam.
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

Ngaa taonga tuku iho o ngaa roto o Tahaaroa

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

25 September 2025

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 freshwater

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

Vessels 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

Statement of Corporate Intent

Annual reports

Our partners & funders

More about us

Science sector reforms

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

Hotspot Watch 20 November 2025

It’s breeding season for invasive clam

Training Fiji’s Meteorological Technicians

Hotspot Watch 13 November 2025

Earth Science New Zealand host UNDRR Chief

Supporting Papua New Guinea landslide response
Publications

Publications

Explore all
Flagship Science Programmes

Flagship Science Programmes

NIWA’s flagship programmes bring together experts, partners and technologies to tackle key environmental challenges and deliver solutions to help New Zealand build resilience and manage its environment wisely.

Explore all

Science programmes

Future Climate Flagship

Changing Atmosphere Flagship

Future Freshwater Flagship

Healthy Freshwater Flagship

Future Oceans Flagship

Healthy Oceans Flagship

Hazards Flagship

Aquatic Biosecurity Flagship

Rivers to Sea Flagship

High Value Aquaculture Flagship

Wild Fisheries Flagship

Data, Networks, Databases and Collections

Link to source page

Flagship Science Programmes

‎
Research Projects

Research Projects

Explore all of our world-leading research projects

Explore all
Services

Services

Services and products

Explore all

Services

Search

Social menu

Rainfall

Breadcrumb

Home
Images
Rainfall

Canterbury - Median annual total rainfall

Contact us

For all NIWA media and website related enquiries please visit the contact page.

General enquiries

[email protected]

Flagship Science Programmes

Future Climate
Changing Atmosphere
Future Freshwater
Healthy Freshwater
Future Oceans
Healthy Oceans
Hazards
Aquatic biosecurity
Rivers to Sea
High Value Aquaculture
Wild Fisheries
Data, Networks, Databases and Collections

Useful Links

Careers at NIWA
Site Search
Staff search
Staff Login

Social menu

© NIWA All rights reserved

Footer

Contact
Privacy policy
Terms of Use