4 August 2025
RC
[FYI request #31778 email]
By email
Tēnā koe RC,
Official Information Act request regarding water temperature data.
I refer to your request for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) dated
28 July where you requested:
1. Information on whether the Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited holds any
water temperature data collected by sensors fixed in place (for example, moorings,
buoys or loggers) within New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone. If such datasets
exist, please advise:
a. The sampling frequency or interval between measurements (e.g., minutes or
hours); and
b. The geographic location(s) or area(s) where the sensors are deployed.
MetService does not have fixed water temperature sensors (including moorings,
buoys, or loggers) within New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone. As a result, we
are declining your request under s18(e) of the OIA as we do not hold the
information you are seeking. Because your request was confined to whether
MetService itself holds any water temperature data, we decided it would be
inappropriate to transfer your request to another agency.
While out of scope of your request, MetService does use a network of 35
drifting buoys that float within 900 nautical miles of New Zealand. These measure water
temperature on an hourly basis.
I understand that Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA/GNS) hold fixed-
buoy sea temperature observations for Leigh in the Hauraki Gulf and other
locations. Further, it is possible that some district or regional councils have fixed-
buoy observation networks. We note that you have already requested this
information from several councils and Earth Sciences NZ (formerly NIWA/GNS).
PO Box 722
Level 2, 110 Featherston
Ph: 04 470 0700
Street, Wellington 6011
Wel ington 6140
Fax: 04 473 5231
Meteorological Service of New Zealand Ltd - ISO 9001 Certified
metservice.com
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this
decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to get in touch.
Ngā mihi
Nick Fagerlund
Legal Counsel and Company Secretary
PO Box 722
Level 2, 110 Featherston
Ph: 04 470 0700
Street, Wellington 6011
Wel ington 6140
Fax: 04 473 5231
Meteorological Service of New Zealand Ltd - ISO 9001 Certified
metservice.com
