Paula Jackson
Chair
Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited
s9(2)(a)
Dear Paula
OUTCOME OF WEATHER FORECASTING SYSTEM REVIEW AND ACQUISITION
OF METSERVICE
I am writing on behalf of shareholding Ministers in relation to the Weather Forecasting
System Review (the Review). As you wil be aware, there is wide support for change to
our weather forecasting system to ensure New Zealand can meet future weather-related
chal enges by improving the integration between climate science, forecasting, hydrology
and coastal hazards.
The Review provides recommendations on the optimal arrangements of our weather
under the
forecasting system, changes to the structural configuration of the Meteorological Service
of New Zealand Limited (MetService) and the National Institute of Water and
Atmospheric Research Limited (NIWA), and arrangements for access to weather data.
We appreciate your efforts and contributions throughout the review process, which has
helped the reviewer develop an informed view of the system.
Ministers have received and considered advice from officials on the recommendations
of the Review. The reviewer’s key recommendations included:
1. The reintegration of meteorology services, climate science, hydrology, and
oceanography through NIWA acquiring MetService initial y as a whol y-owned
subsidiary,
while MetService is retained as a brand as New Zealand’s authorised
Released
meteorologist.
2. Subsequent to the acquisition, NIWA and MetService work on assessing the merits
of a full amalgamation and, where appropriate, making a robust amalgamation
proposal to shareholding Ministers.
3. Improving access to data, particularly publicly funded data, to support the application
Official Information Act 1982
of weather data and model ing and third party uses.
Shareholding Ministers agree with these recommendations in principle and plan to take
them to Cabinet for consideration. We expect NIWA and MetService wil take actions
that are consistent with these recommendations and facilitate their implementation if
agreed by Cabinet.
It is critical that New Zealand’s weather forecasting services continue, and that capability
and infrastructure are maintained during any change transition and into the future, and I
expect the board to guide MetService through this process.
To avoid confusion during the transition, shareholding Ministers expect that warning
messages are provided from MetService as the authorised voice in times of severe
weather, while MetService and NIWA collaborate closely during these events.
Officials wil engage with you in relation to further advice on the implementation process,
including in relation to competition law, access to weather data, retention of critical
capability and business continuity.
I look forward to your continued contribution to this important work.
Yours sincerely
Hon Paul Goldsmith
Minister for State Owned Enterprises
on behalf of shareholding Ministers
under the
cc
Stephen Hunt, Chief Executive, MetService, [email address]
Released
Official Information Act 1982
Barry Harris
Chair
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
s9(2)(a)
Dear Barry
OUTCOME OF WEATHER FORECASTING SYSTEM REVIEW AND ACQUISITION
OF METSERVICE
I am writing on behalf of shareholding Ministers in relation to the Weather Forecasting
System Review (the Review). As you wil be aware, there is wide support for change to
our weather forecasting system to ensure New Zealand can meet future weather-related
chal enges by improving the integration between climate science, forecasting, hydrology
and coastal hazards.
under the
The Review provides recommendations on the optimal arrangements of our weather
forecasting system, changes to the structural configuration of the Meteorological Service
of New Zealand Limited (MetService) and the National Institute of Water and
Atmospheric Research Limited (NIWA), and arrangements for access to weather data.
We appreciate your efforts and contributions throughout the review process, which has
helped the reviewer develop an informed view of the system.
Ministers have received and considered advice from officials on the recommendations
of the Review. The reviewer’s key recommendations included:
1. The reintegration of meteorology services, climate science, hydrology, and
Released
oceanography, through NIWA acquiring MetService initial y as a whol y-owned
subsidiary, while MetService is retained as a brand as New Zealand’s authorised
meteorologist.
2. Subsequent to the acquisition, NIWA and MetService work on assessing the merits
of a full amalgamation and, where appropriate, making a robust amalgamation
proposal to shareholding Ministers.
Official Information Act 1982
3. Improving access to data, particularly publicly funded data, to support the application
of weather data and model ing and third party uses.
Shareholding Ministers agree with these recommendations in principle and plan to take
them to Cabinet for consideration. We expect NIWA and MetService wil take actions
that are consistent with these recommendations and facilitate their implementation if
agreed by Cabinet.
It is critical that New Zealand’s weather forecasting services continue, and that capability
and infrastructure are maintained during any change transition and into the future, and I
expect the board to guide NIWA through this process.
To avoid confusion during the transition, shareholding Ministers expect that warning
messages are provided from MetService as the authorised voice in times of severe
weather, while MetService and NIWA collaborate closely during these events.
Officials wil engage with you in relation to further advice on the implementation process,
including in relation to competition law, access to weather data, retention of critical
capability and business continuity.
I look forward to your continued contribution to this important work.
Yours sincerely
Hon Judith Col ins KC MP
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology On behalf of shareholding Ministers
under the
cc
John Morgan, Chief Executive, NIWA, [email address]
Released
Official Information Act 1982
