All aspects of the climate of Canterbury are dominated by the influence of the Southern Alps on the prevailing westerly airflows.

The UV Index is a measure of the intensity of UV radiation. The UV Index supersedes the idea of "Time to Burn" or "Burn Time", which has been used previously in New Zealand.

This national GIS ‘layer’ enables reconnaissance-scale estimation of suspended-sediment yields from New Zealand’s rivers and streams. It has been developed by NIWA in collaboration with Landcare Research.

Estuaries are at the bottom of the freshwater drainage network and, effectively, are a part of it.

There are two species of kōura or freshwater crayfish in Aotearoa.

Waterways can easily become contaminated by pathogens when effluent is discharged nearby.

The Statement of Core Purpose spells out why the Government owns Crown Research Institutes and what it expects from them.

NIWA expends considerable effort on determining the age of commercial fish species. But why age a fish? And how do we do it?

As much of this climate zone is sheltered by high country to the west, south and in some areas to the east, it is the sunniest region of New Zealand.

NIWA collects wave data, develops and verifies wave forecasting systems, and is developing and producing wave projections.

NIWA is doing a nationwide study to discover what makes the best riparian projects. Help us give you the knowledge to make the best riparian management decisions possible by taking our 5 minute survey.

The scientific records of palaeotsunamis to have affected New Zealand shores can now be accessed in a new one-stop information shop.