News

Core workshop findings indicate past Ross Ice Shelf collapse and West Antarctic Ice Sheet retreat

Analysis of a 228m Antarctic sediment core retrieved by an Earth Sciences New Zealand co-led team last summer supports initial observations made in the field – the core holds a record of an open marine environment, far closer to the centre of West Antarctica than has been seen before.

Some regions expected to be hit harder than others, as flood damage to infrastructure grows

New research by Earth Sciences New Zealand, commissioned by the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga, explores how flood damage to infrastructure could change under different climate scenarios.

Much of New Zealand in for stargazing success this Matariki weekend

New Zealanders hoping for a glimpse of the Matariki stars over the long weekend will have mostly good conditions, except in the east of the North Island, according to Earth Sciences New Zealand’s 2026 Matariki cloud cover forecast.

El Niño declared, expected to intensify into one of the strongest on record

Earth Sciences New Zealand has confirmed El Niño conditions have been reached in the tropical Pacific and are expected to strongly influence New Zealand’s weather into 2027.

Earth Sciences New Zealand and Ara Ake join forces to accelerate geoheat with new action plan

Celebrating 100 years of science impact

A nationwide campaign launching today celebrates a century of publicly funded science in Aotearoa New Zealand and showcases how research and innovation have shaped our economy, environment, health and everyday life.

Blue cod researchers need fishers’ help in Marlborough Sounds

Fishers who catch blue cod in the Marlborough Sounds are invited to take part in a new blue cod release research project with Earth Sciences NZ.

New company RockXtract tackles cement’s carbon problem at its source

Cement is the second most widely used substance in the world after water, with global demand reaching billions of tonnes each year. Its production also generates an estimated 2.3 to 2.8 billion tonnes of CO₂ each year, which is around 8–9 percent of total global emissions.

New energy calculator helps glasshouse growers cut fuel risk and future‑proof food production

As New Zealand grapples with rising energy costs and uncertain supply chains, questions about our fuel security and food security are becoming tightly knotted together.

Research voyage seeks out natural climate regulator

Earth Sciences New Zealand scientists and crew will set out this week on the research vessel Tangaroa to investigate the natural uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) by the ocean.

Formidable El Niño expected to arrive this winter

Earth Sciences New Zealand meteorologists are anticipating a significant El Niño influence on weather patterns across the country from winter onwards, potentially bringing reduced rainfall for some areas.

Fifty years of observations, no reversal of glacier climate damage

Fifty years on from the first aerial survey of our Southern Alps glaciers, late snow and variable summer weather delivered a temporary reprieve from rapid ice loss, says Earth Sciences New Zealand.