Climate
NIWA's National Climate Centre works towards a better understanding of our climate and how it is changing.
Information about the New Zealand temperature record can be found here.
Research projects
Featured research project
Assessment of crop and tree species growing potential using climate, soil and topographic information
Date: May 14, 2010
This project demonstrates how to assess high value alternative land-use options by means of a quantitative analysis of the growing potential of selected niche crops and tree species. Read more about Assessment of crop and tree species growing potential using climate, soil and topographic information
Our Services
The National Climate Centre offers a range of commercial consultancy services to government, businesses and individuals. We help people make sustainable policy decisions, manage their operations and reduce the economic and environmental impact of a changing and variable climate. Read more about Our Services
Obtaining Climate Data from NIWA
NIWA maintains the national climate database for New Zealand, and can supply data in a variety of ways. Read more about Obtaining Climate Data from NIWA
Climate Mapping
NIWA can help answer your questions about the climate in your part of New Zealand by mapping data from its comprehensive climate databases. Read more about Climate Mapping
News
NZ temperature record
Date: July 20, 2010
There are many lines of evidence showing that NZ has warmed during the past century. These include the "seven station" temperature series, the "eleven station" temperature series, and information from ship measurements of sea-surface temperatures and marine night-time air temperatures over the oceans around NZ. Read more about NZ temperature record
Publications
The National Climate Centre issues monthly, seasonal and annual climate summaries and forecasts, as well as climate updates for the pacific islands. Read more about Publications
Seasonal Climate Outlook
Air temperature, rainfall, soil moisture and river flow predictions for the coming season. See these Forecasting Climate and More on Probabilities links for background information on climate outlooks and their interpretation. See this Baseline Tables link for historical rainfall and temperature data ranges for several locations within each climate outlook region. Read more about Seasonal Climate Outlook
Climate Summaries
Temperature, rainfall and sunshine data from across New Zealand. Read more about Climate Summaries
Information and resources
At NIWA we believe knowledge is there to be shared, which is why we make as much information as we can publicly available. Read more about Information and resources
Climate Variability and Change
We have prepared this information about climate variability and change from a New Zealand perspective as a public service. Read more about Climate Variability and Change
Common Climate & Weather Terms
Confused about El Niño, or can't tell the difference between an Anticyclone and an Isobar? Let us help.
Read more about Common Climate & Weather Terms
Climate and Māori
E ngā matāwaka, tēnei te mihi atu a NIWA ki a koutou e noho mai nā i tēnā koko, i tērā koko o te whenua o Aotearoa. Read more about Climate and Māori