Latest from Niwa

New insights: How quake shook seabed

Scientists have revealed astonishing new insights into how the 7.8-magnitude quake affected New Zealand's seabed.

Wellington pummelled by aftershocks

The Prime Minister's bodyguards directed traffic around a high rise close to collapse, slips caused traffic chaos and homes were evacuated in capital.

Supermoon link to quake? 'Poppycock'

Predicting large earthquakes is not as simple as looking to the moon or watching the pet cat. A post online predicting an earthquake

First the quakes, now the storm

Heavy rain and wind is forecast to batter the upper South Island and lower North Island this afternoon.

Drought unlikely this summer

Summer likely to be wetter than average according to long-term Niwa forecast.

Warm weather ahead - but not without wet

Hotter than average temperatures can be expected across the entire country over the next three months - but the warm won't come without rain.

How did Sophie the shark elude scientists?

Scientists who sought to solve mysteries about hammerhead sharks were only left with another when one of the first adults ever tagged ended up eluding them.

Incredible footage captured above NZ

A weather balloon with cameras attached has captured a stunning view of Central Otago from the sky.

Watch: Elderly weather man's daily grind

For almost a century, the Mason family have kept a close eye on the weather. But now, at 94, volunteer Alan Mason of Feilding is looking for a successor.

Chance of El Nino weather doubles

Niwa's yellow submarine

A state-of-the-art underwater glider - the first of its kind in New Zealand - is set to uncover new insights into our offshore environment.

Summer's long dry persists

Autumn starts with a sizzle

Summer may officially be over but forecasters are predicting average to above average temperatures for most of the country over autumn.

Pipi population dying in Whangarei harbour

A massive pipi bed in Whangarei harbour is dying and there are fears the change could destabilise the harbour - and Marsden Point itself, Radio NZ reports.

Co-ops need growth cash

Growing global market opportunities and the need to strengthen supply chains are creating a thirst for capital among agricultural co-operatives around the world, rural lending specialist Rabobank said.

Meat prices drop on drought cull

Drought in much of the country is helping to drive dairy prices higher, but farmgate prices for beef and sheepmeat are weakening.