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
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
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
NIWA Weather
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
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.
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 2023
Tide forecaster
Sea levels and 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
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.
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
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
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 activities, with a particular focus on the Pacific and Asian regions.
Explore all
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
Link to source page
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.
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
The curious case of a lost security card
We've got a new look
Hotspot Watch 23 April 2024
Hunting for freshwater ‘freak of nature’ in Otago
New study to combat harm caused by anchoring
Hotspot Watch 15 April 2024
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
Search
CLOSE
Social menu
RV Polaris
Breadcrumb
Home
Images
RV Polaris
RV Polaris - early morning. Photograph taken by Dave Allen on 15 November 2012.
