News

NIWA has a multitude of great science stories to tell, but some stories demand that we go the extra mile.

Blue whales believed to be foraging in South Taranaki Bight

17 May 2013

A recent study indicates that blue whales in the South Taranaki Bight might be doing more than just passing through on their way to and from summer feeding grounds in Antarctica.

NIWA official forecaster for Fieldays

13 May 2013

NIWA is providing a state-of-the-art weather forecasting service for the Fieldays at Mystery Creek in Hamilton in June.

The Deep South drives New Zealand’s future

2 May 2013

One of the biggest drivers of New Zealand's climate is the influence of ocean currents and climate systems in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Even relatively subtle changes could have dramatic impacts on our climate and ability to work and live as we do.

Data with a bloody past has positive spin-off for endangered whale species

29 April 2013

Information gathered by whalers in the 19th century to support the systematic killing of southern right whales in Australasian offshore waters has been used by NIWA scientists to better understand – and ultimately help protect – the present-day habitats of this endangered species.

Fiordland’s depths reveal more new-to-science wonders

2 April 2013

Scientists from NIWA and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have used a remote operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with cameras and a grappling arm to locate and sample specimens of sea pen previously unknown to science, hidden in the undiveable depths of remote Fiordland.

NIWA survey work helps assess Kaikoura tsunami risks

22 March 2013

Surveying work carried out by NIWA scientists this week is helping provide new insights into the tsunami risk from undersea landslides in the Kaikoura Canyon.

Looking at undersea landscapes from the air – finding fish nursery “hotspots” in the Kaipara Harbour

11 March 2013

NIWA is sampling subtidal seagrass meadows, and other habitats, in the southern Kaipara Harbour, from February to March this year. This week, the scientists have been looking at the ‘hottest spots’ for juvenile snapper.

Summer Series 7: Little squirts that hang out around the coast

12 February 2013

When you are at the beach or harbours this summer, don't be surprised if you see sea squirts - marine animals we commonly see attached to rocks and wharf piles that have two siphons on the top of their bodies, one to draw in water and the other to expel it. When disturbed, sea squirts contract their siphons, expelling streams of water—hence their name.

New finds from the deep sea off New Zealand

4 February 2013

Scientists have returned from a two-week survey to the north of New Zealand, near the Kermadec Islands, with photos and footage of new-to-science fish.

NIWA’s Tangaroa sets sail to study how Antarctica affects ocean currents

30 January 2013

A team of 22 Australian, New Zealand and French scientists will depart Wellington next week, onboard NIWA's RV Tangaroa, for a 42-day voyage to the Mertz Polynya region of Antarctica.

Summer Series 6: Nippy creatures that share your swim

29 January 2013

There you are at the beach this summer. The water is cool and inviting. You go in for a dip. Then something small nips you.

Are antifouling paints harming our sealife?

28 January 2013

NIWA has recently completed a national project for modelling the leaching of copper from antifouling paints on vessels' hulls.

Summer Series 5: Paua is a summer delicacy. Dig deep for the blackfoot sea snail!

22 January 2013

Paua is a New Zealand summer delicacy.

When someone says "paua fritter" they are usually referring to something made from blackfoot paua. The blackfoot paua (Haliotis iris) species is endemic to New Zealand and found throughout the country. It is most abundant on shallow reefs.

NIWA's Kaharoa sets sail for the Kermadec Trench, in search of new and strange deep-sea fish

17 January 2013

Scientists set sail on NIWA's research vessel Kaharoa this week to film and explore many aspects of life in deep-sea habitats, and capture fish that are new to science, in the Kermadec Trench, northeast of New Zealand.

Summer Series 4: Life in the (ex) stream - exploring New Zealand's fabulous freshwater fauna

15 January 2013

A glow-in-the-dark limpet, a fierce-looking 'toe-biter' (which isn't fierce at all and would scarper at first sniff of your toe) and a mayfly that lacks a functioning mouth (and, not-surprisingly, lives as an adult for only a few days) are just some of the weird and wonderful critters to be found in New Zealand's 425,000 kilometres of streams and rivers.

Summer Series 3: A mako shark named Carol

7 January 2013

The mako shark is fast and fascinating. The shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus, has been recorded swimming at speeds of about 100km/h. It's the fastest of the world's shark species. Mako sharks are found in waters right around New Zealand. Only occasionally are they found close inshore.

Summer Series 2: Get summer sorted with NIWA’s online summertime toolkit

4 January 2013

Whether you're at the beach, in the bach, on the boat or by the barbecue, summer holiday fun hinges on knowing when conditions outside will be favourable and not-so-favourable for the activities you have in mind.

NIWA's website (www.niwa.co.nz) is the place to go for real-time information and forecasts on a range of summertime conditions – available to you free of charge.

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