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

News

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

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    Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 20 December 2023

    Hotspot Watch 20 December 2023

    Hotspot
    21 December 2023
    This is the last Hotspot Watch for 2023. Normal service will resume on 11th Jan 2024.

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    Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 14 December 2023

    Hotspot Watch 15 December 2023

    Hotspot
    15 December 2023
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

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    Hotspot Watch 8 December 2023

    Hotspot
    08 December 2023
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 30 November 2023

    Hotspot
    30 November 2023
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 23 November 2023

    Hotspot
    23 November 2023
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 17 November 2023

    Hotspot
    17 November 2023
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
    Climate and weather

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    Hotspot Watch 10 November 2023

    Hotspot
    10 November 2023
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 1 November 2023

    Hotspot
    01 November 2023
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 26 October 2023

    Hotspot
    26 October 2023
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 18 October 2023

    Hotspot
    18 October 2023
    As of 15 October, the New Zealand Drought Index (NZDI) map below shows that no unusually dry conditions are currently found across the country.

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    Hotspot Watch 13 October 2023

    Hotspot
    12 October 2023
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

  • Link to source page

    Hotspot Watch 31 March 2023

    Hotspot
    31 March 2023
    This is the final Hotspot Watch for this season. The Hotspot Watch will return in the spring.