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

  • Raising the bar for swimmable rivers

    Feature story
    The government has released the ‘Clean Water’ package of proposed reforms, aimed at making more of our rivers swimmable. But how is ‘swimmable’ to be measured, and do these measures stack up?
  • Calculated risk

    Feature story
    Imagine if you could foresee what would happen to your home in a severe flood or tsunami, and then work out how to prevent or reduce the impact before any such event occurred.
  • Dairy turns the corner

    Feature story
    NIWA's Freshwater and Estuaries Chief Scientist Dr John Quinn believes the dairy industry has been responsive in the tools it has adopted to reduce its impact on waterways.
  • New Zealand joins global seabed mapping initiative

    News article
    New Zealand joins global seabed mapping initiative
  • NIWA invests $18 million  in New Zealand’s future

    Media release
    NIWA is placing the future of New Zealanders at the heart of its operation by investing in new supercomputers that will significantly enhance scientists’ abilities to solve crucial issues facing the country.
  • Scientists eavesdrop on endangered dolphins

    News article
    The critically endangered Māui dolphin is getting a helping hand from scientists this month who are beginning a year-long research project to listen in on them.
  • (no image provided)

    Summer Series 10: Super snapper! Delicious!

    News article
  • (no image provided)

    Summer Series 7: Beware! The golden triangle of the bronze whaler

    News article
  • (no image provided)

    Scientists set to delve into the secrets of the Cook Strait mega-canyon

    News article
  • (no image provided)

    Summer Series 8: The forces behind beach ‘foam’

    News article
  • (no image provided)

    New map reveals New Zealand’s seafloor in stunning detail

    News article
  • (no image provided)

    Tornadoes – how frequently do they hit New Zealand?

    News article