Instrumentation

Latest news

Searching southern skies

4 August 2021

For a small group of unassuming buildings nestled amongst the wide-open spaces of the Maniototo, the Lauder Atmospheric Research Station punches well above its weight.

Field teams and forecasters cover monumental rainfall event

Feature story

9 June 2021

The prodigious rainmaker that hit Canterbury earlier this month saw NIWA field teams out in the elements collecting flood data from bridges, cableways and jetboat gaugings.

Once a year, technicians from NIWA’s North Island Field Team don helmets and head lamps to check a network of CO2 sensors in the world-renowned Waitomo Caves. The sensors help make sure that heavy breathing visitors aren’t wrecking the caves’ precious natural structures and microclimate.

NIWA research vessel returns home after epic voyage

Media Release

5 October 2020

After 75 nights at sea all the temporary master of NIWA research vessel Kaharoa could think about today was getting off the ship and having a beer.

Our work

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.

Latest videos

NIWA's Sarah Searson and Jennie Mowatt

If you want to get accurate scientific readings from the icy depths of the Ross Sea, who do you turn to?

Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle helps scientists collect data

2021 - Hikurangi margin

Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle helping scientists collect the latest earthquake data

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.

NIWA's Sarah Searson and Jennie Mowatt

If you want to get accurate scientific readings from the icy depths of the Ross Sea, who do you turn to?

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.

Searching southern skies

Feature story

4 August 2021

For a small group of unassuming buildings nestled amongst the wide-open spaces of the Maniototo, the Lauder Atmospheric Research Station punches well above its weight.

Field teams and forecasters cover monumental rainfall event

Feature story

9 June 2021

The prodigious rainmaker that hit Canterbury earlier this month saw NIWA field teams out in the elements collecting flood data from bridges, cableways and jetboat gaugings.

2021 - Hikurangi margin

Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle helping scientists collect the latest earthquake data

Subterranean sensing

Media Release

29 October 2020

NIWA research vessel returns home after epic voyage

Media Release

5 October 2020

After 75 nights at sea all the temporary master of NIWA research vessel Kaharoa could think about today was getting off the ship and having a beer.

Fresh scientific scrutiny for Arrowtown air

Media Release

5 June 2020

NIWA scientists have set up air quality sensors every 100 metres across Arrowtown in what is believed to be the world’s densest air monitoring network.

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.

Blog: Ross Sea phytoplankton - 26 February 2018

26 February 2018

In the last few days our microbial team has been doing intensive sampling of the water column using the CTD, which is deployed every day around noon.

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

Exploring the deepsea

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.

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