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

Atmosphere

World class research contributing to our understanding of greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, and urban air pollution.

MethaneSAT

Detecting and quantifying methane emissions by satellite. The core mission of this unique satellite is to support reductions in methane emissions around the world, primarily by reducing leaks from oil and gas production. NIWA's Dr Sara Mikaloff Fletcher is leading a science programme to develop capability to map agricultural emissions and determine the best places for the satellite to look for methane emissions around the world.

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    Rainbow Mountain banner

    CarbonWatch NZ

    CarbonWatch NZ is an internationally-recognised research programme that will enable New Zealand to make the right decisions for a zero carbon future.
    Atmosphere
    Greenhouse and trace gases
    Climate change
    Primary sector

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    MethaneSAT Mission

    MethaneSAT

    Research Project
    Detecting and quantifying methane emissions by satellite
    Atmosphere
    Greenhouse and trace gases
    Climate change

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    Community air: Air quality issues in NZ towns

    Research Project
    Community Air is a family of research studies, community projects and commercial services that empower local communities to engage with, assess and tackle local air quality issues.
    Air quality

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    Baring Head Research station and lighthouse on a sunny day

    Baring Head Atmospheric Research Station

    Facility
    The Baring Head station, which overlooks Cook Strait, has been operating since 1972 and the data collected there makes significant contributions to our global understanding of greenhouse gases.
    Greenhouse and trace gases

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    Side aerial shot of Lauder Atmospheric Research Station on a bright sunny day

    Lauder Atmospheric Research Station

    Facility
    NIWA's Atmospheric Research Station at Lauder in Central Otago specialises in measuring CFCs, ozone, UV levels and greenhouse gases and has a wide range of world-class instruments and research scientists.
    Greenhouse and trace gases
    UV and ozone

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    Auckland motorway

    Traffic emissions mapping - black carbon and nitrogen dioxide

    Research Project
    Black carbon, commonly known as soot, is made of microscopic particles generated by incomplete combustion.
    Air quality

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    Total Carbon Column Observing Network

    Research Project
    NIWA participates in the Total Carbon Column Observing Network, a ground-based observing network dedicated to making precise and accurate measurements of greenhouse gas concentrations in different parts of the atmosphere.
    Greenhouse and trace gases
    Remote sensing

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    Divers surveying a methane seep at Cape Evans.

    Antarctic methane discoveries skyrocket

    Media release
    10 October 2025
    New methane seeps are being discovered at an astonishing rate in Antarctic waters.
    Antarctica
    Greenhouse and trace gases
    Oceans

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    Methane drone in action

    Methane monitoring advances promise benefits for agriculture and waste sectors

    Media release
    10 July 2025
    Accurately measuring methane emissions, verifying sources and validating efforts to reduce them.
    Atmosphere
    Greenhouse and trace gases

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    MethaneSAT Mission

    Loss of contact with MethaneSAT satellite won’t stop agricultural emissions research

    Media release
    02 July 2025
    Earth Sciences New Zealand statement on loss of contact with MethaneSAT satellite. 
    Atmosphere
    Remote sensing

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    Native forests sink more carbon than expected

    Media release
    17 June 2025
    A NIWA-led study has found New Zealand’s native forests are absorbing more carbon dioxide (CO2) than previously thought.
    Atmosphere
    Greenhouse and trace gases

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    Lauder UV Index sign

    Warm, dry summer ahead sparks SunSmart reminder

    Media release
    27 November 2024
    New Zealanders are likely to spend considerable time outdoors this summer, with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) predicting warm and dry conditions across most of the motu.
    Atmosphere