National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research science platforms

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) receives $42.7 million per year for 3 science platforms - Marine environment, Freshwater environment, and Climate and weather hazards.

MBIE funding details

In July 2017, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) received $42.7 million Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) funding per year for 7 years to June 2024 for 3 science platforms - Marine environment, Freshwater environment, and Climate and weather hazards.

In 2022/2023, they received a further $830,000 SSIF funding to support the provision of urgent science advice before, during, and after North Island Extreme Weather Events.

Extreme weather science response

About the research

Marine environment (receiving $16.9 million of NIWA’s annual SSIF funding) for deep understanding of coastal and oceanic environments, fisheries, seafloor resources and aquaculture e.g. stock assessments, biodiversity and biosecurity.

Freshwater environment (receiving $11.5 million of NIWA’s annual SSIF funding) for deep understanding of freshwater environments and the effect of human use and other factors on their quality and quantity e.g. setting nutrient limits, predicting water availability, biodiversity.

Climate and weather hazards (receiving $14.3 million of NIWA’s annual SSIF funding) for understanding large scale weather and climate systems through numerical prediction techniques, monitoring and advanced measurement e.g. predicting extreme weather events and impacts, climate adaption and mitigation.

Below is the public statement from our contract with NIWA.

Annual updates

Recipients of SSIF funding are required to report yearly on the progress of their work programme.  Below are the public updates from NIWA’s annual reports.

Last updated: 19 February 2024