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

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    First winter fisheries survey finds toothfish spawning in the Ross Sea

    News article
    At the edge of the advancing winter sea ice in the Ross Sea, a first-ever winter fisheries survey has uncovered new secrets of the Antarctic toothfish.
  • Scientists meet to discuss marine future

    Media release
    Marine scientists are proving they know that it takes good bait to catch a big audience.
  • Dear diary: A pioneer of meteorology

    Feature story
    The discovery of diaries of an English missionary living in Northland in the 1800s reveals him as New Zealand’s first meteorologist.
  • Warmest start to the year on record

    Media release
    The first six months of 2016 are set to be the warmest ever start to the year, according to NIWA’s long-term seven-station temperature series.
  • Record-breaking mid-winter warmth

    News article
    NIWA Meteorologist Ben Noll takes a north-to-south look at the record-breaking warm temperatures experienced by Kiwis during the winter solstice.
  • New Zealand reaches climate change milestone

    News article
    An important scientific milestone was reached on a windswept point at the bottom of the North Island this week.
  • Scientists to record marine mammals for first time in New Zealand

    Media release
    The sounds made by whales and dolphins as they pass through New Zealand’s Cook Strait are to be recorded for the first time through a research project being undertaken by a NIWA scientist.
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    NIWA is seeking citizen scientists to help it document large brown seaweeds in New Zealand

    News article
    Anyone can participate, and all you need is access to the sea, a smartphone or a camera and computer.
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    Taxonomy symposium honours leading scientist

    News article
    Taxonomy is one of New Zealand’s most important sciences but its impact is often not widely known nor understood.
  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch

    Hotspot
    Across the North Island, soil moisture levels have generally remained the same or decreased slightly when compared to this time last week.
  • Massive icebergs threaten NIWA equipment

    Media release
    NIWA may lose valuable scientific equipment after two massive icebergs broke off the Antarctic coastline over the weekend.
  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch 1 April 2016

    Hotspot
    Across the North Island, soil moisture levels have generally remained the same or increased when compared to this time last week.