Access Keys

Online Services

NIWA offers a variety of online services, some free to use, some that require pay-per-use or paid subscription, and some that have basic information for free with more detail available at cost.

Free Services 

CliFlo

CliFloThis icon means that the accompanying link will open in a new browser window. is our new subscription-based web service that provides access to the National Climate Database - New Zealand’s national repository of high quality climate data. It comprises historical paper-based archives dating back to 1860, together with extensive digital, computer-accessible data series amounting to about 20 gigabytes of data.

Cam-Era Video Monitoring

Cam-Era is a network of computer-controlled video cameras that monitor the New Zealand environment (for research and resource management) while simultaneously providing images for surfers, swimmers, and other beach users.

Canterbury Wave Conditions

Canterbury Wave Conditions uses a wave refraction model to simulate wave heights across the Canterbury continental shelf and along the coast. This modelling provides near real-time information on wave heights for use by surfers, fishers and coastal planners and engineers.

Cloud Imagery

Our Free Cloud Imagery service provides a satellite view of New Zealand’s weather updated hourly and spanning the last 24 hours.

Freshwater Biodata Information System (FBIS)

Freshwater Biodata Information System (FBIS)This icon means that the accompanying link will open in a new browser window. – NIWA has completed (under contract to the Department of Conservation), development of an information system that integrates all NIWA-held freshwater biodata – both native and introduced (initially including fish, invertebrates, submerged macrophytes, and algae including diatoms). FBIS provides web-based GIS-supported interactive map searching and display of freshwater biodata from NZ’s freshwater ecosystems. FBIS is available both as a data repository and as a source of freshwater biodata for other freshwater data-holding institutions to use. For a summary of FBIS and its functionality see: http://www.niwa.co.nz/pubs/wa/12-3/fbis

Marlborough Sounds Environmental Monitoring

The Marlborough Sounds Environmental Monitoring service provides weekly maps of chlorophyll a concentration, temperature and salinity for the Marlborough Sounds.

New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database

The New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database (NZFFD) records fish found in New Zealand and the major offshore islands. The database includes locations, species, abundance and size, fishing method, habitat and substrate, nearby vegetation, and water quality. There is no charge for use of the database but registration is required and users are encouraged to contribute to the database.

Water Quality Information System (WQIS)

The Water Quality Information System (WQIS)This icon means that the accompanying link will open in a new browser window. contains data and metadata on a range of common water quality indicators (e.g. nutrient concentrations, water clarity) gathered from New Zealand's freshwater streams, rivers and lakes

Water Resources Explorer NZ (WRENZ)

Water Resources Explorer NZ (WRENZ)This icon means that the accompanying link will open in a new browser window. is a GIS based web application that allows the user to display selected layers of water resource related spatial information on a map of New Zealand.

Environmental Data Explorer New Zealand (EDENZ)

Environmental Data Explorer New Zealand (EDENZ)This icon means that the accompanying link will open in a new browser window. provides access to near real-time and archive data from NIWA's extensive automated monitoring network (river flow, sea level, climate, air quality)

Reefton Climate Data record

The Reefton Climate Data recordThis icon means that the accompanying link will open in a new browser window. is available for statistical analysis. Access is through the CliFloThis icon means that the accompanying link will open in a new browser window. system. Data are updated daily. Records from other sites are available only to registered subscribers

Sea Levels and Long Waves

Sea Levels and Long Waves is an added-value service that uses sea-level datastreams from NIWA, regional councils, port companies and territorial authorities to provide a daily update on local sea levels around New Zealand.

Statistical Calculators

Statistical Calculators including the detection calculator, which is used to calculate performance of various hypothesis tests (including equivalence tests), the kappa calculator, which is used to assess the degree of agreement between two dichotomous variables, and the Lin’s concordance calculator, which is used to assess the degree of agreement between two continuous variables, such as chemical or microbiological concentrations.

Tide Forecaster

The Tide Forecaster will give you a table with tide times and heights and a graph for any location in open coastal and ocean waters around New Zealand. This innovative approach has been achieved by using an ocean tide model developed by NIWA scientists. Forecasts (or hindcasts) can be generated for any periods of up to 28 days.

UV and Ozone

UV and Ozone maps and graphs show daily predictions and measurements for several sites around New Zealand. The UV Index shows how much ultraviolet radiation reaches the Earth and acts as a warning against over-exposure.

Wave Forecast for the New Zealand Region

The Wave Forecast for the New Zealand Region uses the WAM wave generation model to predict wave conditions across the Southwest Pacific and Southern Ocean.

NIWA Screensavers

Each year we create a screensaver based on our calendar. It depicts some of NIWA’s great science, great services, and great staff. These are available for free download.

Online Services