News

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

  • Preparing coastal communities for change

    Feature story
    Our coastline is changing as sea levels rise. Lawrence Gullery looks at a five-year research programme designed to help communities with tough decisions ahead.
  • Fire in the sky

    Feature story
    New research suggests large-scale wildfires may be changing the chemical makeup of our atmosphere. Jessica Rowley explains.
  • Putting algae to work

    Feature story
    Can native freshwater algae help restore the mauri of local waterways? Lawrence Gullery investigates.
  • Bridging the forecasting gap

    Feature story
    Improvements in data and climate science mean forecasters are able to predict patterns much further ahead and in far greater detail. Melissa Bray looks at what this may mean for farmers.
  • Are you ready for your climate future?

    Feature story
    NIWA Chief Executive John Morgan asks whether New Zealanders are doing enough to prepare for what lies ahead.
  • New research indicates careful fish handling helps support sustainable fisheries

    News article
    The initial data on the survival rates of snapper that are caught and then released, suggests careful handling could help fishers save hundreds of thousands of fish per year.
  • Hotspot Watch 8 December 2022

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.
  • Marine heatwave developing

    Media release
    Coastal waters around Aotearoa New Zealand became unusually warm last month, say NIWA.
  • Hotspot Watch 1 December 2022

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.
  • Chinese and New Zealand Scientists dive to one of the ocean's deepest regions

    Media release
    A New Zealand scientist and a submersible pilot from China have become the first women to dive to Scholl Deep in the Kermadec Trench, 10 km below sea level.
  • Hotspot Watch 23 November 2022

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.
  • Tonga eruption confirmed as largest ever recorded

    Media release
    A New Zealand-led team has completed the fullest investigation to date into January’s eruption of the underwater Tongan volcano.