Drought forecasting dashboard
NIWA and MPI are working together to develop a new drought forecasting tool. It uses innovative climate modelling, the latest in machine learning and other data-driven techniques to predict rainfall 35 days ahead. It will help farmers and growers better prepare for periods of dryness and drought.
Climate and weather
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Public asked to help build national flood photo database
Media release15 February 2022NIWA is asking people in flood-affected areas to contribute photos to a national database to support understanding of flood hazard and flood risk. -
Hotspot Watch 10 February 2022
Hotspot10 February 2022A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought. -
The positives of Wellington’s wet weather: marine pest control
Media release08 February 2022The tempestuous wet weather may have dampened Wellingtonians' spirits at the beginning of summer, but it had at least one positive effect - killing some unwanted species in the harbour. -
Hotspot Watch 4 February 2022
Hotspot04 February 2022A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. -
Hotspot Watch 27 January 2022
Hotspot27 January 2022A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought. -
Hotspot Watch 20 January 2022
Hotspot20 January 2022A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought. -
River flow forecasting
Research ProjectNIWA is developing a national river flow forecasting tool for New Zealand that aims to support and strengthen our planning for and response to extreme rainfall events. -
Hotspot Watch 13 January 2022
Hotspot13 January 2022A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought. -
Annual Climate Summary 2021
It's official, 2021 was Aotearoa New Zealand’s warmest year on record. -
Hotspot Watch 6 January 2022
Hotspot06 January 2022A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought. -
New Zealand experiencing 5x more temperature extremes than expected
Feature story04 January 2022Stories of tremendous forest fires, huge storm events, and suffocating heatwaves have dominated headlines over the past few years. We instinctively feel that our weather is getting wilder. Are we finally living through those climate change warnings we’ve heeded for decades? -
Will it be a fintastic fishing year?
Feature story30 December 2021A marine heatwave is happening all around New Zealand. Warmer waters are more pleasant for swimming in and can create wilder weather. But what do they mean for fishing? Let’s dive into the science behind getting a good catch.