News

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

  • Hotspot Watch 23 April 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Hunting for freshwater ‘freak of nature’ in Otago

    Media release
    A team of NIWA scientific divers have successfully searched for a freshwater freak of nature in Otago’s alpine lakes.
  • New study to combat harm caused by anchoring

    Media release
    Ship anchors may cause extensive and long-lasting damage to the seafloor, according to new NIWA research.
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 15 April 2024

    Hotspot Watch 15 April 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 3 April 2024

    Hotspot Watch 4 April 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 27 March 2024

    Hotspot Watch 28 March 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Mt Butler

    Snowline survey reveals continued shrinkage of NZ glaciers

    Media release
    New Zealand’s glaciers appear "smashed and shattered" due to enduring ice loss, says NIWA.
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 14 March 2024. [NIWA]

    Hotspot Watch 22 March 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 14 March 2024

    Hotspot Watch 15 March 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Blue cod and kitten

    What do kittens and blue cod have in common?

    Media release
    Strange fish behaviour has been captured by NIWA scientists
  • New ocean species discovered in Bounty Trough

    Media release
    Scientists on an expedition to the underexplored Bounty Trough off New Zealand have discovered around 100 new and potentially new ocean species.
  • Hotspot Watch 8 March 2024

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