Water & Atmosphere 10, April 2014

New Zealand waterways are under attack from alien weeds. Mark Blackham takes a look at the people and technology patrolling the watery frontline against invasion.

Sea lions were once prolific around New Zealand, but hunting by humans decimated them. Susan Pepperell finds that saving the remaining 10,000 is by no means certain.

Each month, NIWA issues its official climate summary, noting the weather patterns of the previous month, recording highs and lows and including commentary about temperature, rainfall and sunshine hours.

Despite being the oldest type of living organism on earth, it’s only recently that scientists began uncovering the significance of bacteria in the world’s oceans. Mark Blackham looks at NIWA’s exploration into the role of marine bacteria.

Images from the latest Antarctica adventure.

New Zealand will get hotter, have more heavy rainfalls, and experience more days when the fire risk is extreme, according to the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

A new species of crustacean discovered this month could shed light on relationships between deepsea organisms.

The source of giant waves that broke on the beaches of Papamoa last November left residents and scientists scratching their heads. The mystery was solved by NIWA scientist Rob Bell who said that the description fits a rare type of tsunami called a ‘meteo-tsunami’.

A new study co-authored by NIWA marine ecologist Dr Ashley Rowden has found the first evidence that the biochemistry of fish may constrain how deep they can venture.

A citizen science experiment for weather enthusiasts has been launched by NIWA, in collaboration with researchers from the UK and Australia.

NIWA scientist Cliff Law has been awarded the prestigious 2013 Hutchinson Medal, by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).

NIWA’s research vessel Tangaroa returned from a five-week voyage to the Louisville Seamount Chain in March after completing a biological survey of this rarely sampled area.

Among the colour and spectacle of March’s Wairarapa Balloon Fiesta, a small but crucial flying contraption stood out from the crowd.

A research base proposed on Auckland Island would be perfectly situated to observe the effects of a warming climate.

Rebecca Gibson from Bay of Plenty and Lucy van Oosterom from Kerikeri joined NIWA’s 25-day deepsea voyage along the Chatham Rise in January.

After 23 years and an estimated 400,000km sailed on NIWA’s flagship research vessel Tangaroa, Captain Evan Solly still relishes the prospect of each new voyage.