Drought

Latest news

A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.

Hotspot Watch 24 February 2023

Hot spot

24 February 2023

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

Hotspot Watch 16 February 2023

Hot spot

16 February 2023

Hotspot Watch 27 January 2023

Hot spot

27 January 2023

Hotspot Watch for 16 March 2017

16 March 2017

A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 2 March 2017

2 March 2017

A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

Hotspot Watch for 23 Feb 2017

23 February 2017

A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 17 February

17 February 2017

A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

Hotspot Watch for 9 February 2017

9 February 2017

A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

Hotspot Watch for 2 February 2017

2 February 2017

A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing these soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.

Hotspot Watch for 26 January 2017

26 January 2017

An update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

Hotspot Watch for 19 January 2017

Media Release

19 January 2017

An update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

Hotspot Watch for 12 January 2017

12 January 2017

An update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

Hotspot Watch for 5 January 2017

5 January 2017

An update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

Hotspot Watch for 21 December

21 December 2016

An update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

Hotspot Watch for 8 December 2016

8 December 2016

A weekly update describing soil moisture anomalies across the country.

NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 1 December 2016

1 December 2016

A weekly update for Thursday 1 December 2016 - describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 24 Nov 2016

24 November 2016

A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

Hotspot Watch for 17 November 2016

17 November 2016

A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

Hotspot Watch for 10 November 2016

10 November 2016

A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.

Freshwater Update 62, September 2014

Freshwater Update 62 brings you the latest information from our Freshwater and Estuaries centre, as well as Water Quality maps and information and River flows.

Water Quality maps and information, April to June 2013

River water temperatures (AMJ)

Riverflows - April to June 2013

Riverflow maps April to June 2013

Causes and effects of water quality degradation – a year in review

New Zealand's freshwater and estuarine resources are a key national asset providing significant economic, social and environmental benefits.

Ensuring ecosystem health/aquatic rehabilitation – a year in review

Many of New Zealand's rivers, lakes and estuaries are in a degraded state, restricting their ecosystems and the services they provide for society - abundant fish, desirable places for recreation, safe drinking water for humans and livestock.

Freshwater Update 58, August 2013

Freshwater Update 58 brings you the latest information from our Freshwater and Estuaries centre, as well as water quality maps and information and river flows.