Coasts

Beach width (defined as the distance between dune crest and shoreline position at high tide) is an important parameter measuring the 'health' of a beach.

Learn about different kinds of beachs and how they form, with diagrams and examples of each type.

The waters around New Zealand have some of the highest waves in the world, due to Southern Ocean swell and storms in the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean.

Glass eels (about 5.5 to 7.0 cm) arrive in fresh water during spring, especially during September and October, although they may be present from July to December.

We are currently steaming out towards our survey area, the Louisville Seamount Chain, which is about 1500 km from Wellington.

Useful information and resources on New Zealand's marine flora and invertebrate fauna.

Hydrocarbons, although requiring increasingly responsible use, are still an essential part of our modern economy. NIWA has provided survey and consultancy services related to the exploration of offshore mineral resources for thirty years.

This system combines daily sea-level data from NIWA, regional councils, port companies, Antarctica NZ, Bureau of Meteorology and territorial authorities.

Submerged plants have a number of advantages that favour their use as indicators of lake ecological condition.

Dog Island levels

Estuaries are at the bottom of the freshwater drainage network and, effectively, are a part of it. This means that every time we act to protect and enhance streams and rivers we are also benefiting the estuary at the downstream end.