News

Read about the important science being undertaken at NIWA, and how it affects New Zealanders

  • Huka Falls

    Half of NZ’s rivers blocked for migratory fish

    Media release
    Nearly half of New Zealand’s river network is partially or fully inaccessible to migratory fish, a new study shows.
  • Hotspot Watch 10 March 2023

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.
  • NIWA's Historic Weather Events website

    Media release
    Our official statement in response to Ian Wishart's report about NIWA's Historic Weather Events Catalogue website.
  • Online atlas provides understanding of marine life and habitats

    Media release
    Researchers have developed New Zealand’s most comprehensive online atlas, providing an overview of nearly 600 marine species.
  • Mangrove on Athenree Estuary

    Preparing coastal communities for change

    News article
    Our coastline is changing as sea levels rise. Lawrence Gullery looks at a five-year research programme designed to help communities with tough decisions ahead.
  • In numbers: New Zealand’s wild summer weather

    Media release
    It has been a summer to remember, but not in a good way.
  • Hotspot Watch 2 March 2023

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Hotspot Watch 24 February 2023

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent.
  • Record low sea ice levels mixed bag for Antarctic voyage

    Media release
    Scientists from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) have returned from a six-week voyage to Antarctica.
  • Research aims to quantify New Zealand’s Blue Carbon capacity of kelp seaweeds

    Media release
    A research project co-led by Blue Carbon Services and NIWA will aim to provide New Zealand’s first national estimate of natural kelp-carbon sequestration in the marine environment.
  • UV map of New Zealand for 21 Oct 2022

    High UV prompts SunSmart warnings

    Media release
    Ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels are averaging higher in 2022 compared to 2021, atmospheric scientists are warning.
  • Hotspot Watch 16 February 2023

    Hotspot
    A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.