News

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

  • The King of the Fish

    Feature story
    Before fish Alvin Setiawan studied weta and penguins. These days he’s never far from the kingfish tanks at NIWA’s Northland Marine Research Centre at Bream Bay.
  • Hotspot Watch 23 April 2020

    Hotspot
    Moderate soil moisture increases in the western North Island and in the Far North, while soil moisture decreases were observed along the east coast and Wairarapa. Many parts of the South Island saw small soil moisture increases during the past week, although small decreases were observed in northern Canterbury.
  • Bushfire smoke continues trip around world

    Media release
    A blob of smoke from the Australian bushfires is continuing to circle the globe almost four months after it formed.
  • Extremely rare albino shark discovered in Auckland

    Media release
    A deep dive into the collection of an Auckland War Memorial Museum has revealed an extremely rare albino shark.
  • Hotspot Watch 16 April 2020

    Hotspot
  • Lockdown air quality keeps getting better

    Media release
    Pollution levels in our main cities are continuing to fall as a result of the nationwide lockdown, says NIWA.
  • Huge waves on Wellington coast to ease later today, says NIWA

    Media release
    High waves pounding Wellington’s south coast today are being caused by a deep area of low pressure passing the Chatham Islands, according to NIWA forecaster Ben Noll.
  • (no image provided)

    Small sea-level rises to drive more intense flooding, say scientists

    Media release
    A little can mean a lot – especially when it comes to the relationship between sea level rise and coastal flooding.
  • Hotspot Watch 8 April 2020

    Hotspot
    The New Zealand Drought Index shows that severe meteorological drought remains across the Coromandel Peninsula and near Cape Reinga. Meteorological drought is found across parts of the Far North, Auckland, and far northern Waikato
  • Hotspot Watch 1 April 2020

    Hotspot
    In the North Island severe meteorological drought coverage has again receded significantly in the past week, although it is still widespread in the Coromandel Peninsula. Meteorological drought remains in place across parts of Northland, Auckland, northern Waikato, and East Cape. Meteorological drought has completely dissipated across the upper South Island, although widespread dry soils are still present.
  • Steep improvements seen in Auckland air quality, says NIWA

    Media release
    NIWA scientists say air quality has dramatically improved in Auckland since the COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown was instigated.
  • Science voyage cut short for researchers, crew to be with family

    News article
    NIWA’s flagship research ship Tangaroa returned to Wellington yesterday after cutting short an international scientific voyage taking place off the east coast of New Zealand.