Instrumentation

Antarctica in photos

NIWA scientists have worked for many years in Antarctica. These photographs illustrate some of our work in this amazing and scientifically significant place.

Shining new light on ground water measurements

NIWA’s LWL6001-S, is putting groundwater levels under the spotlight. The new laser sensor accurately measures groundwater surface levels to sub-millimetre precision. This sensor is ideal for anyone who needs the continuous, reliable data needed to effectively manage groundwater resources.

Time for a closer look at nitrates?

Nitrate (oxidised nitrogen) is the most widespread contaminant present in New Zealand groundwater - a concern for human health, the environment, and a potential barrier for primary sector exports. We investigate whether we need to monitor nitrate concentration continuously and look at progress in practical nitrate monitoring.

Meeting the flood challenge in post-quake Christchurch

The 2011 earthquakes ruptured much of Christchurch’s infrastructure—including its network of drains and open waterways. NIWA is working with the city council to remap storm-water flows across the city and provide the data needed to limit future flooding for residents.

New buoy for Wellington Harbour to boost water quality information

10 July 2017

A buoy with the ability to “phone home” has been deployed in Wellington Harbour today to monitor currents, waves and water quality in the harbour.

ARGO - measuring salinity and temperature across the oceans

Since the early 2000s, NIWA has been part of the international Argo programme. Argo floats takes the pulse of the oceans, collecting and distributing temperature and salinity observations from a global network of more than 3700 underwater robots.

Exploring the deepsea

Despite many centuries of maritime exploration, only a fraction of our planet's seafloor has been observed. NIWA Deepsea Scientist Di Tracey tells us what it feels like to probe deep beneath the waves to see what's living on the ocean floor.

Passive acoustic moorings deployment voyage TAN1605

These images show the deployment of the acoustic moorings and other supporting instrumentation from the TAN1605 voyage in June 2016. All images taken on board the R.V. Tangaroa.

NIWA completes first bathymetric mapping of Lake Tekapo

Media Release

17 March 2016

NIWA researchers have spent part of the last month keeping a close eye on the bottom of Lake Tekapo to find out what it looks like and what is going on below the lake bed.

Instrument Systems Update 21, November 2015

In this issue: NIWA has designed, supplied and installed a complex web-enabled automatic control system, comprised of nearly 60 control stations, and software to manage the water distribution across Rangitata South Irrigation (RSI); Technologists, researchers, farmers, regulators and irrigation scheme operators are jointly evolving a water use strategy for Canterbury; Rain and irrigation water can transport fertilizer, farm chemicals, animal waste and pathogens to unknown destinations underground, in various proportions and concentrations.

Remote soil water measurement

Improved approaches to monitoring soil water movement can lead to the more efficient use of fertilizer, a reduction in nutrient waste and waterway contamination, and indicate the presence of coliform bacteria.

Water use strategy improving productivity and efficiency

Technologists, researchers, farmers, regulators and irrigation scheme operators are jointly evolving a water use strategy for Canterbury; one that benefits all stakeholders, can be scaled up, out, and will eventually improve water use efficiency for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

Harvesting and supplying flood water to irrigators, on demand

When Canterbury’s Rangitata River is running high, the new Rangitata South Irrigation (RSI) scheme can divert up to 20 cubic metres of ‘excess water’ into its seven massive storage ponds every second.

NIWA’s Fieldays stand a winner

Media Release

12 June 2015

NIWA’s Fieldays team is basking in the glory of winning the Best Indoor Agribusiness Site awarded by the National Agricultural Fieldays organisation for the 2015 event.

NIWA Irrimet

NIWA has developed new tools that can help farmers decide when to irrigate or fertilise.

Climate Present and Past

Climate Present and Past is a core-funded project under NIWA's National Climate Centre. It aims to explore historical climate data and track past changes in climate through a range of approaches.

Global experts confirm NIWA's finding on Southwest Pacific's coldest ever temperature

Media Release

14 April 2015

A World Meteorological Organisation panel has confirmed a finding that a temperature of -25.6°C observed at Eweburn, Ranfurly in New Zealand on 17 July 1903 is the coldest temperature recorded for the Southwest Pacific Region.

Instrument Systems Update 20, December 2013

In this issue: solving a unique water abstraction and consent monitoring challenge at Lake Alta; tailoring weather and soil moisture data to aid irrigation management by north-Canterbury farmers; incorporating a NIWA snow and ice monitoring station into a global experiment; using wireless technology to collect multiple environmental data from scattered monitoring sites.

The Hydrological Society & The Meteorological Society of NZ joint conference

19 November 2013 to 22 November 2013

NIWA is sponsoring The Hydrological Society & The Meteorological Society of NZ joint conference

The theme of this year’s conference is Water and Weather: Solutions for health, wealth and environment.

The conference is being held in Palmerston North, and will attract scientists, technicians, consultants, hydrologists, climatologists, students, resource managers and many others.

Water Quality maps and information, October to December 2012

River water temperatures (OND)

Spring river water temperatures were mostly in the range 8-20^oC.

NIWA’s freshwater and estuarine science on display

NIWA scientists are presenting work at three national conferences in the next two months, the New Zealand Coastal Society conference 14th – 16th November, the New Zealand Hydrological Society conference 27th – 30th November and the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society conference,3rd – 7th December.

River flows, July to September 2012

The three month flow map (on the right) shows that much of New Zealand experienced normal or above normal river flow conditions.

Water Quality maps, July to September 2012

River Temperatures (JAS)

Winter river water temperatures were mostly in the range 0 to 16^oC

Nutrient spiralling study in the Tukituki River, Hawkes Bay

Intensive land use increases nutrient runoff to rivers, lakes and estuaries with adverse effects on ecosystems. Determining what combinations of land use and management enable the health and services of these ecosystems to be maintained or restored is a major challenge for councils.

The Kaipara: big research for a big place

Fine sediment runoff from deforested and disturbed catchments is recognised by management agencies as being the principal threat to New Zealand's estuarine ecosystems.

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