NIWA (National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research) is New Zealand’s largest provider of climate, atmospheric, marine, and freshwater sciences. Approximately half of its effort is in developing new knowledge and the other half is in applying it.

NIWA’s areas of expertise cover: Coasts and Oceans, Freshwater and Estuaries, Climate, Atmosphere and Weather.

Through BLAKE’s partnership with NIWA, in 2024/2025 we are offering five young New Zealanders the incredible opportunity to take part in scientific research encompassing climate, atmospheric and freshwater sciences around New Zealand.

These programmes allow environmentally-passionate young Kiwis to contribute to NIWA’s scientific research while advancing their career opportunities and inspiring others.

They do this by working in the field with world-class experts and developing invaluable skills, relationships and leadership qualities that can influence their career pathways.

Further information about the 2024/25 programmes are outlined below.

BLAKE NIWA Ambassador – Climate & Atmosphere, Wellington/Lauder
One position available
Early December 2024 – DATES TBC (2 weeks)

In this role, the BLAKE Ambassador will join NIWA science teams and become engaged in the day-to-day activities of measurement programmes at the key NIWA measurement sites of Lauder (Central Otago) and Wellington (Baring Head).

They will be actively involved in NIWA’s Climate and Atmospheric research programmes, learning how the measurements and samples are used and contribute to NIWA, New Zealand and international science programmes.

Activities will include conducting field measurements of climate and atmospheric variables and assisting with processing and analysis of measurements. 

BLAKE NIWA Ambassadors – Aquaculture, Bream Bay
Two positions available
Late February to March 2025 – DATES TBC (2-4 weeks)

In this role, the BLAKE Ambassadors will join NIWA’s highly-skilled aquaculture team at the Northland Aquaculture Centre, which is home to New Zealand’s largest on-land marine research facility.

Here they will be part of a well-disciplined and efficient operation at the cutting edge of research and production to farm marine finfish and participate in the day-to-day operations of this vibrant and successful sight. They will learn good and ethical fish husbandry, how to look after large broodstock (fish as large as 40kg), larval rearing and the production of live microfeeds, size grading, health management, basic system management, feed management and finally harvesting.

BLAKE NIWA Ambassador – Freshwater, Waikato
Two positions available
Sometime between November 2024 – February 2025 – DATES TBC (2-3 weeks)

In this role the BLAKE Ambassadors will spend two weeks with NIWA contributing to ongoing experiments by learning to conduct monitoring of experiments and analyse improvements in water quality.

They will work with NIWA to develop novel marae and rural property wastewater treatment and resource recovery.

A key focus in this role is contributing to ongoing experiments by learning to conduct monitoring of experiments and analyse improvements in water quality.