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45th Wellington Science Fair to showcase young talent

19 August 2009

19 August 2009 -- Is fish really brain food? It’s raining – should I run or walk? These are just some of the questions explored by students in the annual National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) Wellington Regional Science and Technology Fair, to be held at Victoria University of Wellington from 26–29 August.

NIWA Bay of Plenty Science & Technology Fair returns

14 August 2009

14 August 2009 -- Hundreds of hopeful school students will showcase their science talent at the 33rd annual Bay of Plenty Regional Science & Technology Fair next week. The Fair, sponsored by the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA), will be held at the Rotorua Convention Centre on 20–21 August.

Bay of Islands ocean survey enters next phase

5 August 2009

Inshore and onshore biodiversity sampling activity is about to commence in the Bay of Islands as the Bay of Islands Ocean Survey 20/20 project enters its next phase.

NIWA to focus research to fix Canterbury water woes

22 July 2009

The National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research’s (NIWA) scientific expertise is to be focused on improving the management of freshwater resources in Canterbury.

Niwa Welcomes New Chairman

21 July 2009

Auckland businessman Chris Mace is the new Chair of the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Chief Executive John Morgan says.

Traditional methods prove more effective in monitoring koura

3 July 2009

Traditional Maori methods of catching freshwater crayfish using a “Tau Koura” are useful for groups unable to use specialized equipment, and may prove better in difficult conditions than other methods, a new study published by NIWA in collaboration with the Te Arawa Lakes Trust shows.

Shade And Fencing Key Factors For Streams’ Recovery

3 July 2009

The importance of tree plantings along streams to provide shade for water environments and of fencing waterways off from animals has been reinforced in new NIWA research.

Niwa expertise in aquatic restoration highlighted

3 July 2009

Growing community concern about the degradation of water environments boosted the number of aquatic restoration projects and subsequent scientific research, an overview of the research says.

Good Rivers For Fish Indicated By New Modelling

3 July 2009

Statistical modelling now enables scientists to predict which fish species should be present in streams, helping communities planning to restore waterways, new research from NIWA shows.

Fallen logs boost crayfish numbers, suggesting ways to speed stream recovery

3 July 2009

Adding logs into channels as part of stream restoration could boost freshwater crayfish populations and speed up ecological recovery, new research from NIWA suggests.

World Climate Conference 3 - Participants Called For

2 July 2009

The World Meteorological Organisation today published a media kit for its upcoming World Climate Change 3 conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Whakatane sunshine: test results released

27 April 2009

The National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) has reported to the Whakatane District Council (WDC) on the results of tests into accuracy of the district council’s sunshine recording equipment.

Cyclone Bola still making its mark after 21 years

2 April 2009

Twenty one years after New Zealand’s most devastating cyclone struck the country, the effects of Cyclone Bola are still with the East Coast of the North Island.

University of Waikato and NIWA: Karori perch pests successfully culled

11 March 2009

In a collaborative study, echosounder surveys of the lower reservoir at ZEALANDIA, the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, show that electro-fishing and netting have successfully reduced perch numbers in the conservation safe haven.

Baby snapper all grew up in one big nursery

3 March 2009

NIWA scientists have discovered that nearly all snapper on the west coast of the North Island come from nurseries in just one harbour.

Snapper is New Zealand’s largest recreational fishery, and one of the country’s largest coastal commercial fisheries with an annual export value of $32 million (2008).

But in recent years some stocks have failed to recover from historical overfishing, with some commercial catch quotas for snapper being cut recently to protect the species.

Bigger, better Bluff oysters…..bon appétit!

27 February 2009

Bigger, better, Bluff oysters look set to be on the menu when the 2009 oyster season opens on Sunday.

Twenty years of monitoring provides insight into our river water quality

2 February 2009

Two decades of monitoring of river water quality by NIWA has provided important information that is helping to care for New Zealand’s iconic rivers.

Tropical cyclone risk altered as La Niña back

9 January 2009

Conditions in the tropical Pacific moved towards a La Niña state during December, and these conditions are likely to alter the chances of tropical cyclone activity for several tropical South Pacific countries between January and May. However, in every season there is always a risk of tropical cyclones across the South Pacific requiring preparedness for disaster prevention and mitigation.

Health of Lake Taupo under new surveillance

11 December 2008

With the help of a helicopter, NIWA scientists, in partnership with Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board and Environment Waikato, have deployed a 2.8 metre environmental monitoring buoy into Lake Taupo – to help care for the health of New Zealand’s largest lake.

NIWA fisheries expert honoured

11 November 2008

NIWA fisheries scientist Dr Malcolm Francis has been awarded the prestigious New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Award for his “continued outstanding contribution to marine science in New Zealand.”

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