Earth Sciences New Zealand

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October 2026

• 22 OctCanterbury prepares for El Niño summer as drought concerns grow
• 21 OctWhakaari/White Island alert level raised to 3 amid ash eruption
• 14 OctUp to 11 tropical cyclones forecast for Southwest Pacific
• 13 OctNational geohazards monitoring centre closes twice in four days
• 9 OctQuake and tsunami monitoring centre closed for hours due to staff shortages
• 6 OctNew Zealand experienced a mild September with varying rainfall patterns
• 3 OctTemperatures to drop as cold front sweeps across New Zealand
• 2 OctEl Niño poses environmental risks for Hawke’s Bay

September 2026

• 28 SepSnow and frost hit South Island as cold southwesterlies arrive
• 26 SepGreenpeace activists occupy research vessel in Wellington protest+1
• 4 SepNew Zealand records third warmest winter since 1909
• 2 SepStrengthening El Niño could be one of the strongest on record+1

August 2026

• 3 AugRecent earthquakes are not a sign of a larger event

July 2026

• 31 JulStrengthening El Niño to bring unsettled spring weather

December 2025

• 18 Dec 2025Unsettled weather predicted for Canterbury and South Island during Christmas

November 2025

• 25 Nov 2025Tauranga flights cancelled following Whakaari White Island volcanic activity
• 17 Nov 2025Atmospheric river to bring heavy rain and warm temperatures to New Zealand
• 4 Nov 2025Ash plume observed rising from Whakaari/White Island

October 2025

• 31 Oct 2025Two short-lived eruptions observed at Whakaari/White Island
• 30 Oct 2025Whakaari/White Island alert level raised after possible eruption
• 2 Oct 2025Heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast for upper North Island
• 1 Oct 2025Canterbury facing drier spring as La Niña conditions develop
• 1 Oct 2025Study identifies nitrate contamination risks in rural drinking water

September 2025

• 30 Sep 2025Study finds nitrate contamination in rural drinking water samples

August 2025

• 19 Aug 2025La Niña could bring heavy rain or heat domes this summer
• 19 Aug 2025Cyclone Gabrielle caused over 800,000 landslides according to new report
• 2 Aug 2025Unusual currents expected after magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia

July 2025

• 18 Jul 2025Tasman stopbanks repaired ahead of forecast wet weather
• 17 Jul 2025More heavy rain forecast for Nelson Tasman region

May 2025

• 14 May 2025Chairs and board members appointed for new science research institutes

March 2025

• 26 Mar 2025Small tsunami observed after 6.8 magnitude South Island earthquake
• 25 Mar 2025Strong earthquake strikes off the lower South Island+2
• 25 Mar 2025Explosive activity recorded at Whakaari/White Island+1
• 14 Mar 2025Milford Sound landslide risk could exceed Whakaari disaster impact

February 2025

• 24 Feb 2025Large steam plumes observed at Whakaari/White Island

January 2025

• 31 Jan 2025More than 50 small earthquakes recorded near Taupō overnight
• 13 Jan 2025Aviation code raised for Whakaari/White Island due to volcanic ash