Welcome to the latest edition of Instrument Systems Update. In this issue we look at measuring sea ice break up, highlighting the 'dark side' of groundwater management, revealing the complexities of the wind and tracking the sun.

How much irrigation water flows back into our groundwater?

NIWA is providing three very different types of specialised instrument system to help illuminate the ‘dark side’ of groundwater management.

I’ll follow the sun – even on cloudy days

NIWA is fitting new solar trackers to sites in the National Climate Network.

New SODAR makes the wind visible

NIWA’s new SODAR trailers reveal the complexities of the wind.

Measuring the forces that break up sea ice

Understanding and accurately modelling the behaviour of sea ice is key to improving our understanding of the climate system.