News

Read about the important science being undertaken at NIWA, and how it affects New Zealanders

  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 1 May 2019

    Hotspot
    Hotspots in the North Island are currently found in Aupouri Peninsula, interior Manawatu-Whanganui, and interior Hawke’s Bay. South Island hotspots are currently found in interior Marlborough, a small area near Christchurch, coastal southern Canterbury, and a portion of Stewart Island.
  • Scientists discover solar heat drives rapid melting of Ross Ice Shelf

    Media release
    Part of the world’s largest ice shelf is melting 10 times faster than the overall average and solar-heated waters beneath the ice shelf are to blame, NIWA research has found.
  • Environment report a clear picture of change: NIWA

    Media release
    The latest state of the environment report released today provides New Zealanders with clear evidence that our climate, freshwater and marine systems are changing, says NIWA.
  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 17 April 2019

    Hotspot
    Across the North Island, soil moisture levels generally changed little during the past week. In the South Island, increases were observed along most of the West Coast, interior Otago, and Marlborough Sounds, while decreases occurred in Stewart Island.
  • World Earth Day: Air quality and its effects on respiratory health

    Media release
    A newly formed partnership between Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ and NIWA aims to provide the latest air quality research to over 700,000 people living with respiratory conditions in New Zealand.
  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 10 April 2019

    Hotspot
    Across the North Island, soil moisture levels decreased in big parts of the island during the past week due to meagre rainfall. In the South Island, soil moisture decreases were observed across much of the island.
  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 4 April 2019

    Hotspot
    An increase in soil moisture in many areas across the North Island, including Northland, Auckland, Waikato, eastern Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, and Taranaki. No significant change in the South Island. Outlook is for low to moderate rainfall, countrywide.
  • March temperatures more evidence of a warming climate

    Media release
    NIWA today released its March Climate Summary which confirms temperatures during the first month of autumn were at record highs in many places.
  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 29 March 2019

    Hotspot
    Hotspots continue to be found across a large part of Northland, Auckland, northern Waikato, and interior Bay of Plenty, as well as central Manawatu-Whanganui and Napier south to Wairarapa. South Island hotspots are currently located in a portion of interior Marlborough, eastern Banks Peninsula, south coastal Otago and parts of lower Southland.
  • Freshwater fish swim their all for science

    Media release
    In a secret training location on the outskirts of Hamilton, a squad of whitebait is being put through its paces by fish scientists.
  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 20 March 2019

    Hotspot
    Hotspots are now located across the majority of Northland, Auckland, northern Waikato, and interior Bay of Plenty, as well as central Manawatu-Whanganui and Napier south to Wairarapa. South Island hotspots are now located in a portion of interior Marlborough, eastern Banks Peninsula, and the lower Southland coast.
  • NIWA's Hotspot Watch for 13 March 2019

    Hotspot