News

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

  • Clouds-landscape

    Government announcement about NIWA and MetService

    News article
    NIWA is pleased with the announcement today by the Science, Innovation and Technology Minister of the Government’s response to a recent review of New Zealand’s weather forecasting system.
  • Cyclone Gabrielle - Hawke's Bay

    Cyclone Gabrielle was intensified by human-induced global warming

    Media release
    A new NIWA-led study has found that climate change increased the amount of total rainfall during Cyclone Gabrielle by 10%.
  • Polar vortex July 2024

    The rare event driving the Southern Hemisphere’s weather

    Media release
    An unusual disturbance high above Antarctica is causing polar air to encroach on different parts of the Southern Hemisphere, including New Zealand.
  • SCO - HowItStarted.png

    NIWA's Silver Climate Jubilee: Celebrating 25 Years of Seasonal Forecasting

    Media release
    July 2024 marks a special anniversary for NIWA - 25 years of issuing our Seasonal Climate Outlook.
  • 2023_03_FROM_UoC_JUSTIN_STOUT20230226_134911.jpg

    Climate change is making scientists reassess what is “normal”  

    Media release
    NIWA has completed a major project to analyse how New Zealand’s “climate normals” are shifting.
  • Tagging sharks in Fiordland 2

    Tagging Fiordland sharks to monitor climate change

    Media release
    Tracking changes in broadnose sevengill sharks' behaviour in a warming climate.
  • 2024_06_JUNE RECORD TEMP GRAPHIC_3 (0-00-00-00).jpg

    Hottest June temperature ever recorded

    Media release
    Highest June temperature since records began in the 1850s
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 15 May 2015

    Hotspot Watch 16 May 2024

    Hotspot
    This is the final Hotspot Watch for this season. The Hotspot Watch will return in the spring.
  • Hotspot Watch 9 May 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Hotspot Watch 1 May 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Hotspot Watch 23 April 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Soil moisture anomaly map (mm) at 9am on 15 April 2024

    Hotspot Watch 15 April 2024

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.