Displaying items by tag: NIWA

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has announced the creation of a new freshwater institute between NIWA and the University of Waikato.

September-November 2016 temperatures have a 50% chance of being above average in the north of the South Island and very likely (60-70% chance) to be above average in the remaining regions of the country, says NIWA.

The first six months of 2016 were the warmest start to a year on record in New Zealand.

$230 million is being spent over the next 10 years to produce definitive science on how to best manage land and water in New Zealand.

"Everyone's trying all sorts of combinations to get through" is how Cheviot's Emmet Daly describes North Canterbury farmers' efforts to cope with their sixth season of drought.

El Nino will still be the main climate driver for the next three months or perhaps even longer despite recent rain, says Chris Brandolino, principal scientist forecasting at NIWA.

Despite recent rain, farmers in drought-affected parts of New Zealand will continue to feel the impacts of El Niño for months, as NIWA's latest seasonal outlook indicates.

The water quality target of the West Coast's Lake Brunner has been achieved five years ahead of schedule, says Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith.

The current El Nino is tracking to the level of the 1997-98 event which was the strongest since 1950, NIWA says.

With strong indications of an El Nino this summer, farmers are being urged to plan how they will use their seasonal irrigation volume.