Hazards

NIWA researchers study geological, weather and coastal hazards, including the impact of climate change on some of these.

  • Forecast shows Auckland region to stay dry

    Media release
    Aucklanders should not expect any decent rain for more than 10 days, says NIWA principal scientist and forecaster Chris Brandolino.
  • The man of many pathways

    Feature story
    Dr Rob Bell worked out a long time ago that sea-level rise is much more than a scientific problem. No wonder then that people say his ability to listen is one of his best traits.
  • Weathering new technology in Tonga

    Feature story
    There are about 800km between the southern and northern tips of Tonga - and a lot of ocean.
  • Hotspot Watch 19 December 2019

    Hotspot
    Across the North Island, moderate to large increases in soil moisture levels were observed in many locations due to substantial rainfall in the past week. Across the South Island, substantial rainfall contributed to moderate to large increases in soil moisture levels in the vast majority of the island.
  • Projected regional climate change hazards

    This page provides a summary of projected climate change hazards. 
  • Scientist pieces together details of underwater landslides

    Media release
    New information about landslides that occur on the seafloor off New Zealand’s east coast will help scientists better understand why and where they happen, and the types of threats they pose.
  • The week it snowed everywhere

    Media release
    Novel handwriting recognition project casts new light on historic weather data.
  • Methane seep research bubbling along

    Media release
    A chance discovery off the Gisborne coast five years ago is prompting a NIWA scientist to find out more about the link between a field of methane seeps bubbling out of the sea floor and submarine landslides.
  • Adaptive futures: a serious game for climate change adaptation

    Research Project
    NIWA is using serious games to look at problems holistically and provide a framework for climate change adaptation decision-making.
  • Rare weather phenomenon possible

    Media release
    NIWA meteorologists are keeping an eye on an unusual atmospheric phenomenon that is amassing in the polar stratosphere.
  • New reports highlight flood risk under climate change

    Media release
    Two reports released today by NIWA and the Deep South National Science Challenge reveal new information about how many New Zealanders, how many buildings and how much infrastructure could be affected by extreme river and coastal flooding from storms and sea-level rise.
  • New Zealand to have world-leading hazard risk modelling tool

    Media release
    EQC, GNS Science and NIWA have joined forces to further develop world-leading natural hazards risk modelling for New Zealand.