On 1 July 2025, NIWA merged with GNS Science to become Earth Sciences New Zealand.

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

    Earthquake's unseen impact

    Acoustics
    Earthquakes
    Sediments

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    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.
    Lakes
    Bathymetry
    Acoustics

  • Link to source page

    Kapiti multibeam survey

    News article
    24 June 2015
    NIWA scientists use the latest multibeam echo-sounding technology to generate new charts of the seafloor around Kapiti island.
    Acoustics

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    Kapiti Multibeam Survey

    Acoustics

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    NIWA, DOC, Victoria University and LINZ collaborate to map Kapiti’s submarine landscape

    Media release
    04 June 2015
    A team of marine geoscientists from New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research begins mapping the submarine landscape of Kapiti Island and Coast on Friday, 5 June.
    Acoustics

  • Link to source page

    Backscatter Measurement Guidelines

    Research Project
    Marine scientists have long recognized the potential of using remotely-sensed data, most often acquired using a sonar system, as a proxy of biophysical indicators.
    Bathymetry
    Acoustics

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    Voyage leader's final update

    Blog
    11 March 2015
    Now back on dry land, Voyage Leader Richard O'Driscoll reflects on the final days of RV Tangaroa's 2015 Antarctica expedition.
    Acoustics
    Antarctica
    Bathymetry

  • Link to source page

    Acoustic and radio telemetry

    Radio and acoustic tracking of fish (or any animal) allows the movement and activity of animals to be recorded over the life of the transmitter (battery size dependent).
    Fish
    Scientific Tools & Data

  • Link to source page

    Fisheries research programmes

    NIWA aims to provide the key science services required by the national and international fisheries sectors and their industry partners.
    Acoustics
    Fisheries