2018 was NZ's second hottest year on record - Niwa
A warm ocean, subtropical airflow and greenhouse gases were all drivers of one hot year.
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Latest fromNiwa
Beach weather: Metservice's pick of the day
Napier, Hastings and Blenheim set to share high of 32C today.
Australia braces for extreme heatwaves as NZ gets drenched
While NZ is getting drenched, Australia is bracing for heatwaves not seen since the 1930s.
Mopping up and moving on: Kaiaua a year on from devastating flood
A year ago Kaiaua was devastated by a monster storm.
Underwater robots map 'ocean weather' in disaster planning
Scientists are deploying underwater robots to prepare for NZ's next big marine disaster.
Beach warning system abandons orange lights
"Swim with caution" option axed in Auckland but still used in all other regions.
Climate change: Revealing its hand in today's extreme weather
We'll soon be able to reveal climate change's hand in extreme weather - and in real time.
Summer set to be hotter than usual
This summer is going to make its mark as the one with no consistency.
The big one: Scientists reveal how lethal quake could hit NZ
Leading scientists explain their search for the secrets of the Hikurangi zone.
Scientists certain Pink and White Terraces buried under lake
Scientists say they're settled on the long-lost Pink and White Terraces' former location.
Typical or tropical? NZ's forecast for summer is in
There's a 50/50 chance of a typical NZ summer – or one even balmier than normal.
Scientists deploy quake sensors on big-risk quake zone
Scientists have successfully placed quake sensors along the East Coast seafloor.
Warm spring run continues ahead of cool change
Make the most of it because it is all about to change.
From New Caledonia to Northland: Shark tag's incredible trip
A chance find on a Northland beach now helping scientists learn more about mako sharks.
News in brief: Fashion show; dairy robbery; school band's success; tartan is tops
News in brief: Fashion on show; school success; aggravated robbery; council acquires land
Kiwi forecasters tipping rain, wind and cold to hit overnight
Rug up as a wet and wintry blast hits much of New Zealand, says Niwa.
Keeping future global warming within 1.5C demands 'truly heroic' effort
UN report on limiting warming to another 1.5C should "end magical thinking", expert says.
Overall improvement in many facets of freshwater
Mixed results in 10-year trend for region waterways.
Dinner time: Niwa solves riddle involving the seal, octopus and kayaker
The explanation isn't overly scientific either, NIWA says.
Rain, icy winds and snow on the way today
The good news is after today spring will slowly return.
Heavy rain, snow and gale force winds to hit South Island
However, centres on the east coast of the country will reach the low 20s today.
Born to be mild: NZ's sixth-warmest winter
If you haven't dug too far into the firewood this year, there's a reason.
Niwa forecast: NZ likely to get another El Niño
It's now likely New Zealand will see another El Niño climate system soon.
Wellington divers discover giant squid on beach
A monster from the sea has washed up near Wellington, we're not squidding!
How did NZ scientists count 2083 different dolphins?
NZ scientists have found a clever way to count thousands of individual dolphins.
Earth to be unusually warm until 2022, model predicts
A new forecast system has revealed the years 2018 till 2022 are going to anomalously warm.
Time to end commercial whitebaiting - Forest & Bird
Call to end whitebait sales to help alleviate pressure on the struggling native fishes.
Wet weekend on the way for most
Parts of the North Island's east coast are in for a drenching.
How much longer will Southern Ocean slow climate change?
The Southern Ocean below NZ absorbs 40 per cent of CO2 emissions. But for how much longer?
Stunning pic: Welly's whale a capital attraction
The fireworks could be called off due to the presence of a whale in the harbour.
Stunning pic: Welly's whale a capital attraction
But this tale could end up in disappointment for fireworks fans.
Record low temperatures possible in Auckland
Auckland could be zero degrees or lower on Saturday morning.
Lake snot-making algae now in Lake Taupo
An algae species that creates mucus-like lake snot has likely now spread to Lake Taupo.
Wild weather: Gale-force winds and heavy rain for midweek
North Island set to be buffeted by strong winds and heavy rains this week.