NIWA's palaeoclimate research laboratory is located in Auckland. Our capabilities allow us to undertake a wide range of interdisciplinary research, specifically with:
- a Lintab6 tree ring measurement station with binocular microscope running TSAP-Win for development of tree ring chronologies
- a NewWave micromill dedicated to microscopic sampling of tree ring and carbonate material
- microfuges, multichannel pipettes, drying ovens and high-precision microbalances used to rapidly digest tree rings to alpha-cellulose ahead of isotopic analysis
- GIS capabilities supporting environmental mapping.
A full complement of field and sample processing equipment for tree ring work, including:
- a range of hollow-shaft hand-operated increment borers up to 1m length,
- a specialised kit for treatment of increment borers to mitigate spread of Phytopthera Taxon Agathis (PTA, or Kauri Dieback),
- three Husqvarna chainsaws (with bars up to 40cm for large diameter samples) and hand-held chainsaws.
- a band saw and large format belt sander for processing tree cross sections.
Tools for our physical geography work include:
- Mala Ground Penetrating Radar GX system with a 160Hz and 450Hz antenna
- D-section corer, hand-operated sediment probes and a stratigraphy sampling kit for work in peat/swamp environments
- cosmogenic radionucleide sampling kit constituting an portable angle grinder, cold chisel and sledge for work in glaciated landscapes
- three Ramset 2kw concrete drills and a 16” Husqvarna concrete saw for sampling coral cores and microatoll cross sections in the Pacific
- industrial grade bridge saw for cutting cross sections of corals and speleothems
- OmniRuptor 4000 sonicator for rapid cleaning of carbonate and sediment samples.