NIWA - Home
Skip to content.
Contact Us
Careers with NIWA
Media Centre
Common Questions
Staff Login
Show image Hide image
Search
Our Science
Our Services
News amp; Publications
Education amp; Training
Events
About NIWA
do not display again
NIWA, National Institute of Water amp; Atmospheric Research
NIWA is a Crown owned research and consultancy company, with a global reputation as experts in water and atmospheric research. Our mission is to conduct leading environmental science to enable the sustainable management of natural resources for New Zealand and the planet.
Aquaculture amp; BiotechnologyAquaculture SpeciesAquaculture amp; Biotechnology - Research ProjectsAquaculture amp; Biotechnology - Our ServicesAquaculture amp; Biotechnology - NewsAquaculture amp; Biotechnology - PublicationsAquaculture - Q amp;AAquaculture amp; Biotechnology - Key ContactsAquatic Biodiversity amp; BiosecurityAquatic Biodiversity amp; Biosecurity - Research ProjectsAquatic Biodiversity amp; Biosecurity - Our ServicesAquatic Biodiversity amp; Biosecurity - NewsAquatic Biodiversity amp; Biosecurity - PublicationsAquatic Biodiversity amp; Biosecurity - Common QuestionsAquatic Biodiversity amp; Biosecurity - Key ContactsTools amp; ResourcesAtmosphereAtmosphere - Research ProjectsAtmosphere - Our ServicesAtmosphere - NewsAtmosphere - PublicationsAtmosphere - Common QuestionsAtmosphere - Key ContactsBaring HeadLauder Atmospheric Research StationClimateClimate - Research ProjectsClimate - Our ServicesClimate - NewsClimate - PublicationsClimate - Common QuestionsClimate - Key ContactsClimate - Information and resourcesCoastsAntarcticaCoasts - Research ProjectsCoasts - Our ServicesCoasts - PublicationsCoasts - Common QuestionsCoasts - Key ContactsTools and ResourcesEnergy SolutionsEnergy - Research ProjectsEnergy Solutions - Our ServicesEnergy - NewsEnergy - PublicationsEnergy - Common QuestionsEnergy - Key ContactsFisheriesTools amp; ResourcesFisheries - Research ProjectsFisheries - Our ServicesFisheries - NewsFisheries - PublicationsFisheries - Common QuestionsFisheries - Key ContactsFreshwaterFreshwater - Research ProjectsFreshwater - Our ServicesFreshwater - NewsFreshwater - PublicationsFreshwater - Key ContactsManagement ToolsNatural HazardsNatural Hazards - ResearchNatural Hazards - Our ServicesNatural Hazards - NewsNatural Hazards - PublicationsNatural Hazards - Common QuestionsNatural Hazards - Key ContactsOceansOceans - Research Projects Oceans - Our ServicesOceans - NewsOceans - PublicationsOceans - Common QuestionsOceans - Key ContactsAntarcticaNew Zealand BathymetryPacific RimInternational ProjectsOur ServicesInternational Research - NewsInternational Research - PublicationsInternational Research - Common QuestionsInternational Research - Key ContactsTe KūwahaTe Kūwaha - Research ProjectsTe Kūwaha - Our ServicesTe Kūwaha - NewsTe Kūwaha - Common QuestionsTe Kūwaha - Key ContactsTools and ResourcesVesselsRV TangaroaKaharoaIkaterePelorusOther VesselsVessels - Research Projects Vessels - Our ServicesVessels - NewsVessels - PublicationsVessels - Common QuestionsVessels - Key Contacts
Our Science
Aquaculture amp; Biotechnology
Aquatic Biodiversity amp; Biosecurity
Atmosphere
Climate
Coasts
Energy Solutions
Fisheries
Freshwater
Natural Hazards
Oceans
Pacific Rim
Te Kūwaha
Vessels
NIWA's National Centres
Our science activity is coordinated by our National Centres. Select the area of our work that you are interested in from the list on the left.
Each centre page has information about, research projects, services, news, contacts and much more.
NIWA – leading environmental science.
Read about NIWA's achievements in the last year.
Upgraded research vessel
Date: December 12, 2010
The return of the upgraded RV Tangaroa represents a huge advancement for New Zealand science and exploration Read more about Upgraded research vessel
See all news
Our services
Working with us amp; our technology
NIWA’s science services are delivered by our 13 National Centres. Each centre conducts a raft of research contributing to a high level outcome for New Zealand. Read more about Our Services
Consultancy ServicesOnline ServicesInstrumentsVesselsHigh Performance Computing FacilityLocalised Event ForecastingDatabasesSoftwareLibrary amp; Information Services
Careers with NIWA
Our people
Careers with NIWA
NIWA works at the forefront of some of the most critical environmental issues facing the planet, and our staff are recognised as international experts in their fields. Read more
about Careers with NIWA
See our latest vacancies
Our people
Chris Mace
Position: Chair
Read more about Chris Mace
See more of our people
Common questions
Is climate change real?
Yes, and it is a very serious problem. Find out about the international scientific consensus Read more about Is climate change real?
Does NIWA make rules?
No. NIWA is not a regulatory body. We provide research and expert environmental science services for customers. Read more about Does NIWA make rules?
Is NIWA a government department?
No. NIWA is a Crown Research Institute(CRI), a Crown-owned company established to undertake scientific research and related activities. See Our Company for more details. Read more about Is NIWA a government department?
What is a national centre?
NIWA has diverse range of scientists and labs across New Zealand. Our national centres co-ordinate them to work on research and consulting projects, and are your doorway into our science. Each centre often collaborates with other scientific organisations within New Zealand and overseas. Read more about What is a national centre?
Who does NIWA work for?
A lot of different customers, including central and local government. See our partners and funders for more information. Read more about Who does NIWA work for?
Are there any fish left?
New Zealand is fortunate to have a lot of ocean with a lot of fish around it, but the population of different species can easily be damaged by over fishing. Scientific monitoring is important in order to make sure we don’t damage our valuable resource. Read more about Are there any fish left?
What's happening to the Arctic?
2007 saw a surprise record low in summer sea ice in the arctic, much sooner than anyone was expecting. Read more about What's happening to the Arctic?
Where can I get climate stats?
See this page in our National Climate Centre. Read more about Where can I get climate stats?
Does NIWA sponsor events?
NIWA sponsors a limited of events of clear relevance to environmental science. Our General Manager Communications Marketing, Geoff Baird, manages sponsorship applications: g.baird@niwa.co.nz
For events in which NIWA is involved, see our events calendar Read more about Does NIWA sponsor events?
I have a media query
See who to contact in our media centre. Read more about I have a media query
Planning for the weather?
NIWA is developing an environmental forecasting service, EcoConnect, which provides subscribers with continually updated forecasts of weather-driven hazards such as flooding, suitable for port companies, regional councils, energy companies, and other customers. Read more about Planning for the weather?
Have you found something which might belong to us?
Call 0800 RING NIWA Read more about Have you found something which might belong to us?
What if there's a tsunami?
There’s a useful guide on www.getthru.govt.nz. Read more about What if there's a tsunami?
What does NIWA do?
NIWA are experts in environmental science. We have about 750 staff at 15 sites around New Zealand and in Perth, Australia. We conduct scientific research and provide applied science services. We work in environments from the bottom of the seafloor to the top of the atmosphere. Read more about What does NIWA do?
Can I get a scientist to come and speak at my event?
Contact the National Centre which covers the science you want to hear about. They are committed to public outreach, communicating science to people who can use it. Our scientists are busy, and often away on field work, but they make time to speak to many groups, such as professional societies, Rotary, Probus, rural women, schools and so on. Read more about Can I get a scientist to come and speak at my event?
How do we identify new aquatic species?
First we must be able to recognise if a species is new to science. There are several steps to the process. Read more about How do we identify new aquatic species?
What is ocean acidification?
Ocean acidification is the name given to the lowering of pH of the oceans as a result of increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. The pH of the ocean is determined by the level of hydrogen protons (H+) in sea water. The lower the pH, the more acidic the ocean. Read more about What is ocean acidification?
What impact did the Samoa tsunami have on New Zealand?
A powerful Magnitude 8.0 earthquake ruptured the seafloor south of Samoa on 30 September 2009, unleashing a destructive tsunami on Samoa, American Samoa, and northern Tonga (Niuatoputapu). Its impact on distant New Zealand shores was picked up by a sea-level monitoring system operated by NIWA and other agencies. The system showed that peak waves arrived between 1–2 and 13 hours after the arrival of the first tsunami waves, depending on locality. Read more about What impact did the Samoa tsunami have on New Zealand?
Did sea-level gauges in New Zealand detect the 2010 Chile Tsunami?
Rob Bell's analysis of the tsunami signature. Read more about Did sea-level gauges in New Zealand detect the 2010 Chile Tsunami?
See all common questions
Quick links
Year in Review 2010Natural Hazards 2009Climate DataNIWA's Tide Forecaster
Contact NIWA
Free phone within New Zealand
0800 RING NIWA
0800 746 464
Our Science NIWA's Science in Action
Aquaculture amp; Biotechnology
Aquatic Biodiversity amp; Biosecurity
Atmosphere
Climate
Coasts
Energy
Fisheries
Freshwater
Natural Hazards
Oceans
Pacific Rim
Te K #363;waha
Vessels
Contact us
Careers with NIWA
Media Centre
Back to top
Site map
Accessibility
Privacy Policy
copy; copyright NIWA 2008