The climate of this zone is largely dependent on the lie of the Southern Alps to the west, but many areas are also sheltered by high country to the south and east.

Due to its position in the 'Roaring Forties', a belt of strong winds in the Southern Hemisphere which generally occur between the latitudes of 40 and 49 degrees, as well as its small size, New Zealand is a windy country.

Southland is both the most southerly and most westerly part of New Zealand and generally is the first to be influenced by weather systems moving onto the country from the west or south.

The Kiwi dream of owning a beachfront property with panoramic views of the ocean is under threat—and not just for financial reasons.

NIWA operates about 30 other Maritime New Zealand-certified vessels based at Bream Bay, Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Turangi, Wellington, Nelson, Greymouth, Tekapo, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

The sex of tuna is not determined genetically, as in some other organisms.

How do hydro-electricity activities potentially influence waterway temperatures?

Methane (CH4) is the second most important greenhouse gas after CO2 that is produced by human activities.

What are the potential sources of sediments from land use activities?

The 3-panel Soil Moisture Deficit (SMD) map shows the historical soil moisture deficit at the date shown (left), the soil moisture deficit at the same time last year (middle) and the current soil moisture deficit (right).