Land and freshwater

This page provides an overview of Earth Sciences New Zealand’s research into land and freshwater. The links below take you to further detail about each specific research area on the NIWA and GNS Science websites.

Aquatic Biosecurity ESNZ
NIWA

Aquatic Biosecurity

Protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s freshwater and marine environments from pests and diseases now and in future.

Find out more
coastal change
GNS

Coastal Change

Helping Aotearoa New Zealand’s communities adapt effectively to the physical, social and economic impacts of climate and environmental change in coastal and near-coastal settings.

Find out more
contaminants
GNS

Contaminants

Contaminants impact human health, livelihoods, ecosystems and the environment. We use our expertise in monitoring, modelling and chemical analysis to better understand the contaminants present in our environment.

Find out more
earth dynamics
GNS

Earth Dynamics

Aotearoa New Zealand is positioned astride the active Pacific-Australian plate boundary. This provides an ideal natural laboratory for a global community of researchers to better understand processes that control natural hazards.

Find out more
fresh water
GNS

Freshwater

Our freshwater resources are increasingly under pressure from land use, a growing population and climate change.

Find out more
Future Freshwater ESNZ
NIWA

Future Freshwater

Predicting Aotearoa New Zealand’s future water flows for better water management and planning to support water security.

Find out more
geology of nz
GNS

Geology of New Zealand

The land and continental shelf areas, together named "Zealandia", have had a long and varied geological history.

Find out more
Healthy Freshwater ESNZ
NIWA

Healthy Freshwater

Understanding the future of freshwater ecosystems in a changing environment, for improved ecosystem health and water quality.

Find out more
landscapes and seascapes
GNS

Landscapes and Seascapes

Research focused on understanding surface processes through integrated geological, geochemical and geophysical investigations to inform predictive modelling of sedimentation and erosion.

Find out more
Rivers to sea ESNZ
NIWA

Rivers to Sea

Understanding catchment to sea connections and estuarine processes to ensure a healthy coastal marine environment and effective carbon sequestration in a changing climate.

Find out more
Back to top