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

  • Link to source page

    The fine art of forecasting

    Feature story
    04 August 2021
    Susan Pepperell looks at how high-resolution forecasting is driving sharper decision making – from deep in the back country to the finish line of the America’s Cup.
    Climate and weather
    Ocean modelling
    Weather forecasting

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    Supercharging the view from above

    Feature story
    04 August 2021
    From the rocky shores of Wellington’s South Coast to the icy waters of Antarctica, NIWA scientists are combining drone technology with advanced computer skills to map, measure and analyse the natural environment as never before. Campbell Gardiner explains.
    Antarctica
    Climate data
    Coasts

  • Link to source page

    Know your snow

    Feature story
    04 August 2021
    With the winter snowpack starting to build, who’s keeping an eye out on conditions in the mountains?
    Climate and weather
    Weather hazards
    Stations

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    Putting the weather on ice

    Feature story
    04 August 2021
    Sam Fraser-Baxter catches up with a Fiji-born weather technician with a newfound love for the cold
    Weather forecasting
    Stations
    Scientific Tools & Data

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    The largest flood flow ever measured

    Media release
    29 July 2021
    Flood flows on the Buller River this month were the largest of any river in Aotearoa New Zealand in almost 100 years, NIWA measurements show.
    Climate change
    Floods
    Hydrology and flow

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    Murchison Mountains electronic weather station (EWS)

    The Murchison mountains SIN station is located at 1140 m elevation in Fiordland National Park. Because of the low elevation, snow often comes and goes throughout the winter season. Snow records start in 2012.
    Hydrology and flow
    Stations

  • Link to source page

    Castle Mount electronic weather station (EWS)

    Castle Mount electronic weather station is at 2000 m elevation on an exposed site above the Milford Track. Records here begin in 2012. Strong winds limit snow accumulation during the winter.
    Hydrology and flow
    Stations

  • Link to source page

    Mount Larkins electronic weather station (EWS)

    The Mount Larkins electronic weather station is located east of the main divide near Glenorchy and Lake Wakatipu at 1900m elevation.
    Hydrology and flow
    Stations

  • Link to source page

    Mueller Hut electronic weather station (EWS)

    Mueller Hut electronic weather station is at 1818m elevation and located in Mount Cook/Aoraki National Park. This site also measures solic precipitation and solar radiation. This is the deepest (~3m) of all the snow and ice network sites and records at this site start from 2010.
    Hydrology and flow
    Stations

  • Link to source page

    Mount Philistine electronic weather station (EWS)

    The Mount Philistine site is located at 1655m elevation on the Main Divide near Arthurs Pass and Rolleston Glacier. It is a high precipitation area and snow records here start in 2010.
    Hydrology and flow
    Stations

  • Link to source page

    Mahanga electronic weather station (EWS)

    Mahanga electronic weather station (EWS) is on Mount Mahanga in Tasman. It is at 1940 m elevation near the Nelson Lakes. It's our most northerly South Island site and our snow records here date back to 2009.
    Hydrology and flow
    Stations

  • Link to source page

    New weapon in fight against invasive aquatic weeds

    Media release
    20 July 2021
    A combination of artificial intelligence and scientific ingenuity looks set to be the next step forward in protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s lakes and rivers from invasive aquatic weeds.
    Estuaries
    Lakes
    Rivers