White letters arranged in a circle spelling 'EVERYONE' on a black background.
STORIES
STUDIO
CONNECT
WHERE WATER
MEETS THE SKY
Close-up of a stylized sphere with layered blue and gray abstract topographic contours.

NIWA

NIWA, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading provider of climate, freshwater and ocean science. In 2016, NIWA sought a brand refresh that reinforce their unique story,  reflect their dynamic and innovative research, and strengthen their ability to extend the brand across multiple products and channels. NIWA are world class independent thinkers, our goal was to create a brand identity that would support such globally recognised environmental experts.

Inspiration for the identity came from the Māori name Taihoro Nukurangi which describes NIWA’s work in studying the waterways and the interface between the earth and the sky. Taihoro is the flow and movement of water (From tai ‘coast’ and horo which means fast moving). Nukurangi is the interface between the sea and the sky (i.e. the atmosphere). Together, NIWA have taken it to mean ‘where the water meets the sky’.

www.niwa.co.nz
NIWA logo with a blue circular abstract design and the text 'NIWA' and 'Taihoro Nukurangi' below.

This led us to develop the NIWA globe symbol, representing the dynamics of the interrelated world they operate in and their close relationship with the land and people. The globe illustrates NIWA’s three main science platforms – climate, freshwater and ocean science – with graphical elements that can be interpreted as isobars, braided rivers and bathymetry around a stylised Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Snow-covered NIWA Lauder Atmospheric Research Station sign in a snowy rural landscape.
Research vessel Tangaroa sailing on calm ocean water near a coastline at sunset.
Modern building housing the Northland Marine Research Centre with NIWA logo on the exterior wall and landscaped greenery in front.
Outdoor sign welcoming visitors to NIWA, highlighting climate, freshwater, and ocean science, with a directional arrow to Moana New Zealand.Blurred person in red shirt walking in a bright room with large windows and a door featuring ocean and mountain mural.

The NIWA signage programme has been implemented across Aotearoa, with striking hero plinths signalling main research centres and internal environmental graphics celebrating the innovation of NIWA’s local scientists. The focus of NIWA’s aquaculture research was captured through large scale Haku Kingfish murals throughout their Northland office.

Audience watching a large screen showing a digital globe with text 'Climate, Freshwater & Ocean Science' in a dark auditorium.
Laptop displaying a 3D digital island with mountains, water, trees, and animals, floating among clouds.Laptop screen displaying a 3D model of a NIWA research vessel named Tangaroa on water with a background of mountains and trees.

The NIWA Globe App was developed as an internal presentation tool to support NIWA’s position as the world leaders in Climate, Freshwater & Marine Science. The interactive globe allows users to present their research through editable slides while ensuring NIWA’s brand is presented consistently and professionally.

Two colorful gradient weather app logos on a dark background, one labeled NIWA Weather with a sun and cloud icon, the other NIWA Forecast with a sun and swirling cloud icon.Three smartphones display weather apps for Napier, Wellington, and Dunedin, showing partly cloudy weather with temperatures from 9 to 16 degrees Celsius and wind speeds.

The NIWA Weather App was developed on the premise that people look for the weather window in the day. Harnessing NIWA’s ability to provide hourly forecasts up to 5 days out, we used a graphic spectrum of colour to create an accurate at-a-glance view of the weather.