Rovibrational transitions associated with tunneling states in the water bending vibration of the atmospherically significant N-2-H2O complex have been recorded using a cw supersonic jet quantum cascade laser spectrometer at 6.2 mu m. Analysis of the observed spectra is facilitated by incorporating fits of previously recorded microwave and submillimeter data. This accounts for Coriolis coupling to obtain the levels of the ground vibrational state and confirmation of assignment of the excited water bending vibration. The results are used to explore the nature of the associated water bending vibrationally excited states of the complex compared to those in other corresponding water complexes. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.