NIWA is pleased with the announcement today by the Science, Innovation and Technology Minister of the Government’s response to a recent review of New Zealand’s weather forecasting system.
The Government has agreed to start work on how we might bring together the significant capabilities and resources of NIWA and MetService. This follows the findings of the independent review and aims to ensure that our weather forecasting system is more integrated and better able to prepare for and respond to severe weather events and climate change.
To achieve this, NIWA will acquire MetService, and MetService will continue to report on the weather as New Zealand’s authorised meteorologist.
There is more work to be done to implement this in-principle decision. It will require changes to legislation, and we are working closely with MBIE and Treasury and MetService to ensure our weather forecasting system is set-up to provide the best service for New Zealand into the future.
We anticipate that legislation will be introduced in mid-2025 and the exact timing of any change will depend on the progress of this legislation through Parliament and of the process that follows. It will not happen overnight. More information on when a Bill will be introduced is expected in 2025 and we will keep you updated.
We know our weather forecasting system is critically important, not only to give us warning of severe weather so that we can prepare, but for daily operations of the aviation, marine and energy industries and many businesses across New Zealand. It will be critical to ensure adequate capability is in place to maintain continuity of weather forecasting services, particularly during this transition and this will be top of mind as we work through the process.