Scientific Tools & Data

NIWA offers a diverse range of scientific tools and data to support research, analysis, education and exploration across various fields of science and environmental studies.

Supporting research, education & exploration

NIWA offers a diverse range of scientific tools and data across various fields of science and environmental studies. Many of the data sets can be discovered via the National Environmental Data Centre. These include data from the atmosphere through to the ocean depths. CliFlo, New Zealand’s National Climate Database, is one of the most popular.

Explore our data sets

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    Eavesdropping on sperm whales in Antarctica

    The moorings team is bringing back precious data from long-term underwater listening devices which the researchers are using to search for signs that sperm whales are finally returning in numbers to the Ross Sea.
    Antarctica
    Marine mammals
    Marine protected areas

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    From sky to server

    Feature story
    11 February 2021
    A few drops of rain can go a long way. Campbell Gardiner explains.
    Climate and weather
    Stations
    Climate data

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    Scientists use an autonomous vessel

    A six metre-long autonomous trimaran fitted out with a NIWA echosounder is being used as part of an innovative research collaboration.
    Freshwater
    Oceans
    Acoustics

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    Rob Christie - Manager of Marine Resources

    Eurofleets+ aims at providing, integrating and improving access to key research vessels and associated major equipment.
    Acoustics

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    NIWA science: important international collaborations

    This campaign brings together two Eurofleets+ Infrastructures, the RV Tangaroa and the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) from Sweden’s University of Gothenburg (UGOT).
    Acoustics

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    2020 - Hoki eggs survey

    Voyage
    Hoki is New Zealand's largest finfish fishery. During this voyage, hoki eggs reveal a few secrets that surprise scientists.
    Fisheries
    Population modelling
    Acoustics

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    Can sound be used to characterise gas composition in the water column?

    Underwater gas bubbles acoustic monitoring and seabed mapping around Whakaari Island
    Bathymetry
    Acoustics

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    A flair for finding gas bubble flares

    NIWA marine geologist Arne Pallentin is looking for telltale gas bubble 'flares"—using a multibeam echosounder—that indicate new volcanic activity in the Calypso Vent Field.
    Acoustics
    Geological hazards

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    Using sound to see what's happening geologically

    Marine geologist - Dr Joshu Mountjoy - is mapping the seafloor landscape around Whakaari/White Island to understand how much sediment was dislodged in the eruption and where it has gone.
    Geological hazards
    Volcanic eruptions
    Acoustics

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    Autonomous vessels

    Service
    Fisheries researchers combine technologies to collect more data at a lower cost.
    Fisheries
    Acoustics
    Vessel capability

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    The Whatawhata Integrated Catchment Management Project

    Research Project
    The Whatawhata Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Project is the longest continuously monitored before-after-control-impact (BACI) catchment-scale study in New Zealand.
    Freshwater
    Stations

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    NIWA Essential Services: COVID-19

    Media release
    27 March 2020
    NIWA’s priority at all times is on the wellbeing, health and safety of our staff working across the country delivering excellent research and associated science services for the benefit of all New Zealanders.
    High Performance computing
    Hazards