Atmosphere

World class research contributing to our understanding of greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, and urban air pollution.

MethaneSAT

Detecting and quantifying methane emissions by satellite. The core mission of this unique satellite is to support reductions in methane emissions around the world, primarily by reducing leaks from oil and gas production. NIWA's Dr Sara Mikaloff Fletcher is leading a science programme to develop capability to map agricultural emissions and determine the best places for the satellite to look for methane emissions around the world.

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    Auckland cityscape with view of Sky tower, motorway and the harbour, against clear blue skies

    Air Quality

    Understanding urban air through community-based monitoring programmes and measuring atmospheric air pollution.
    Air quality

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    Air aware: air quality lessons for teachers and experiments for curious kids

    Air Aware is a collection of air quality lessons for schools, made up of theory, videos, activities and quizzes. Air Aware is supported by MBIE’s Unlocking Curious Minds contestable fund.
    Air quality

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    UV and ozone

    CFCs have damaged the ozone layer and led to higher UV levels and increased health risks. NIWA works to understand the causes and effects of ozone depletion, to inform the public of the risk.
    UV and ozone

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    MethaneSAT Mission

    Scientists counting down to MethaneSAT satellite launch

    Media release
    16 February 2024
    NIWA scientists leading Aotearoa New Zealand’s MethaneSAT agricultural emissions science programme are gearing up for the launch of its satellite in coming weeks.
    Greenhouse and trace gases
    Satellite remote sensing

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    Assessing post-cyclone air quality across Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay

    Assessing post-cyclone air quality across Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay

    The vast quantities of silt deposited by flooding have resulted in high levels of silt dust in the air across Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay.
    Air quality

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    Some homes contain 3 times more air pollution, NIWA finds

    Media release
    18 October 2023
    A new study from NIWA has mapped outdoor air quality for Invercargill and Alexandra in more detail than ever before.
    Air quality

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    Clouds -

    UV and Ozone

    Service
    This is the home for NIWA's UV and ozone research, including maps and graphs showing daily predictions and measurements for UV levels across New Zealand.
    UV and ozone
    Environmental Information

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    2020_12_WESTLAND_parsonsking_DSC6603-Recovered

    UV Index

    Service
    Plots of today's UV index are available in graphical form for Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Lauder and Invercargill.
    UV and ozone

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    Air Action: enabling householders and building managers to trial air quality solutions

    Air Action

    Enabling householders and building managers to trial air quality solutions
    Air quality

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    Colin Anderson - Volunteer air watcher from Invercargill

    Air Watch

    Empowering the public to monitor air quality
    Air quality

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    Air Aware: Learning experiences to build awareness about air quality

    Learning experiences to build awareness about air quality
    Air quality

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    Early and long-lasting ozone hole, forecasts NIWA

    Media release
    05 September 2023
    UV and ozone
    Atmosphere