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

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Half of NZ’s rivers blocked for migratory fish

Media Release
25 January 2023
Nearly half of New Zealand’s river network is partially or fully inaccessible to migratory fish, a new study shows.

New discoveries from New Zealand’s deepest waters

Media Release
20 January 2023
A joint Chinese – New Zealand research expedition to the Kermadec Trench at Ranghitāhua (Kermadec Islands region) has revealed fascinating new insights into life in the deepest part of New Zealand waters.

Hotspot Watch 20 January 2023

Hot spot
20 January 2023
A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.

Hotspot Watch 12 January 2023

Hot spot
12 January 2023
A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.

NIWA's 2022 Annual Climate Summary is now out.

Media Release
12 January 2023
It's official - last year was once again Aotearoa's warmest on record, knocking 2021 off the top spot. It was also the 8th most unusually wet year on record – meaning lots of rain fell in unusual places.

Researchers to unveil Antarctic secrets

Media Release
11 January 2023
As New Zealanders search for the summer sun, 38 researchers and crew will board RV Tangaroa tomorrow for a six-week science voyage deep into the waters of Antarctica.

New technology gives sea safety hopes

Media Release
27 December 2022
Beachgoers could be safer thanks to a new technology with the potential to give real-time updates of rip currents.

Reducing the impact on Hawke’s Bay’s marine environment

19 December 2022
A study investigating the level of change needed to improve the state of Hawke’s Bay’s marine environment highlights the magnitude and frequency of interventions required for the seafloor ecosystem to recover.

Hotspot Watch 16 December 2022

Hot spot
16 December 2022
A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.

Making big waves in the Pacific

Feature story
15 December 2022
Prior to 15 January, Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai was a little-known undersea South Pacific volcano with a long name. Within 24 hours, it  was a global phenomenon – the site of the largest atmospheric explosion in almost 150 years. Jessica Rowley looks at why a remote Tongan volcano took the world by storm.

Protecting people

Feature story
15 December 2022
Mia Blyth talks to an environmental hazard specialist who feels a very personal connection to his work.

Preparing coastal communities for change

Feature story
15 December 2022
Our coastline is changing as sea levels rise. Lawrence Gullery looks at a five-year research programme designed to help communities with tough decisions ahead.

Fire in the sky

Feature story
15 December 2022
New research suggests large-scale wildfires may be changing the chemical makeup of our atmosphere. Jessica Rowley explains.

Putting algae to work

Feature story
15 December 2022
Can native freshwater algae help restore the mauri of local waterways? Lawrence Gullery investigates.

Bridging the forecasting gap

Feature story
15 December 2022
Improvements in data and climate science mean forecasters are able to predict patterns much further ahead and in far greater detail. Melissa Bray looks at what this may mean for farmers.

Are you ready for your climate future?

Feature story
15 December 2022
NIWA Chief Executive John Morgan asks whether New Zealanders are doing enough to prepare for what lies ahead.

New research indicates careful fish handling helps support sustainable fisheries.

14 December 2022
The initial data on the survival rates of snapper that are caught and then released, suggests careful handling could help fishers save hundreds of thousands of fish per year.

Hotspot Watch 8 December 2022

Hot spot
8 December 2022
A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.

Marine heatwave developing

Media Release
1 December 2022
Coastal waters around Aotearoa New Zealand became unusually warm last month, say NIWA.

Hotspot Watch 1 December 2022

Hot spot
1 December 2022
A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.

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