News

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

  • Seen a stunning sunrise or sunset lately? The Tongan volcano may be the cause

    Media release
    The Tongan volcanic eruption may be responsible for New Zealand’s unusually vibrant sunrises and sunsets, say NIWA scientists.
  • In the snow: new tool to advise New Zealanders of snow conditions

    Media release
    A new tool giving near real-time snow data has been made available to the public for the first time.
  • Demand grows for NIWA’s Riparian Management Training

    Media release
    NIWA has updated and restarted a course using a riparian planning tool developed by one of its former chief scientists more than 20 years ago.
  • Ki uta ki tai: NIWA’s role in mountains-to-sea estuarine management

    Media release
    Estuaries are coastal waterbodies where freshwater mixes with seawater. Many estuaries in Aotearoa New Zealand have been impacted by pollutants and contaminants entering via freshwater.
  • Going easy on the scallops

    Feature story
    From scallop beds to trawl nets, a little bit of data science can make a big difference. Melissa Bray explains.
  • What’s in a fish’s ear?

    Feature story
    The tiny ear bone of a fish holds a wealth of information. Gather enough and you get a snapshot of what’s happening beneath the waves. Stuart Mackay explains.
  • The search for answers in the ice

    Feature story
    Jessica Rowley talks to three NIWA researchers trying to piece together what’s happening to the world’s largest ice shelf.
  • Snapped! Tag reveals fish’s 20-year history

    Media release
    A fish has been caught in the same location that it was tagged, nearly 20 years ago to the day.
  • PIT tag

    Snapped! Tag reveals fish’s 20-year history

    Media release
    A fish has been caught in the same location that it was tagged, nearly 20 years ago to the day.
  • A Hard Rain’s A’Gonna Fall

    Feature story
    Climate change means more intense storm systems are on their way. Science can’t stop it raining, but it can help communities prepare for the worst and plan for the future.
  • Tracking an eruption

    Feature story
    Stacy Mohan looks at how the shockwaves from a remote Tongan island rippled through NIWA’s research community.
  • Chasing deepsea shadows

    Feature story
    Mia Blyth catches up with a marine biologist hunting for ocean ghosts.