Scientific Tools & Data

NIWA offers a diverse range of scientific tools and data to support research, analysis, education and exploration across various fields of science and environmental studies.

Supporting research, education & exploration

NIWA offers a diverse range of scientific tools and data across various fields of science and environmental studies. Many of the data sets can be discovered via the National Environmental Data Centre. These include data from the atmosphere through to the ocean depths. New Zealand’s National Climate Database (accessed through Datahub), is one of the most popular.

Explore our data sets

  • Link to source page

    MethaneSAT Mission

    Scientists counting down to MethaneSAT satellite launch

    Media release
    16 February 2024
    NIWA scientists leading Aotearoa New Zealand’s MethaneSAT agricultural emissions science programme are gearing up for the launch of its satellite in coming weeks.
    Greenhouse and trace gases
    Satellite remote sensing

  • Link to source page

    Counting carbon – NZ contributes to global CO2 stocktake

    Media release
    27 April 2023
    New Zealand researchers have contributed to the first ever stocktake of global greenhouse gas emissions.
    Greenhouse and trace gases
    Stations

  • Link to source page

    Technology provides views of life in remote habitats

    Media release
    25 October 2022
    Aotearoa-New Zealand’s marine area covers 167,650 square kilometres presenting a staggering distribution of climates, from subtropical to subantarctic waters, to understand and manage.
    Coasts
    Estuaries
    Invasive species

  • Link to source page

    Satellites reveal NZ’s coastal health

    Media release
    21 September 2022
    For the first time, satellites have been used to track coastal water health around Aotearoa New Zealand.
    Coasts
    Freshwater quality
    Satellite remote sensing

  • Link to source page

    Identifying rip currents using artificial intelligence

    Research Project
    NIWA and Surf Life Saving New Zealand are working together to develop a state-of-the-art, rip current identification tool.
    Coasts
    Waves
    Hazards

  • Link to source page

    Voyage update - 29 April

    Tangaroa is now 100 km south-west of Hunga Tonga - Hunga Ha’apai volcano (HT-HH), surveying in 2,440 m of water in the Lau Trough.
    Acoustics

  • Link to source page

    Mt Potts electronic weather station (EWS)

    Our highest elevation site at 2128 m, Mt Potts is also one our sites very exposed to wind.
    Hydrology and flow
    Stations

  • Link to source page

    Upper Rakaia electronic weather station (EWS)

    The Upper Rakaia SIN site is located at 1752 m on a north facing slope in the Jollie Range. Records start in 2010.
    Hydrology and flow
    Stations

  • Link to source page

    Albert Burn electronic weather station (EWS)

    The Albert Burn SIN site is located at 1280 m in the upper Albert Burn valley, east of Mt Aspiring/Tititea. Records start in 2012.
    Hydrology and flow
    Stations

  • Link to source page

    Ivory Glacier - compact weather station (CWS)

    The Ivory Glacier SIN site is located at 1390 m next to Ivory Lake, west of the main divide of the Southern Alps/ Kā Tiritiri Te Moana.
    Hydrology and flow
    Stations

  • Link to source page

    A robot sea craft helps count fish

    A six-metre-long autonomous vessel is equipped with artificial intelligence and a range of data gathering equipment, including a battery powered echosounder that can estimate the size of fish populations.
    Tides
    Fisheries
    Oceans

  • Link to source page

    Cutting-edge AI sea craft helping scientists count fish

    Media release
    21 February 2022
    A robot sea craft is the latest tool NIWA scientists are using to help them count fish.
    Coasts
    Fisheries
    Oceans