Wellington Greta Point Office
301 Evans Bay Parade
Hataitai
Wellington 6021
Private Bag 14901
Kilbirnie
Wellington 6241
New Zealand
T +64 4 386 0300
www.earthsciences.nz
24 March 2026
Nigel Gray
Via email: <[FYI request #33198 email]>
Kia ora Nigel
Our apologies for the delay in responding to your refined request.
On 1 July 2025, NIWA and GNS Science merged to become Earth Sciences New Zealand. The responses below
reflect this, in that they refer to work conducted in the past by GNS Science.
In response to your first two requests for:
1. Any monitoring systems, datasets, or responsibilities NIWA holds regarding ship emissions regulated under
Annex VI (SOx, NOx, PM, VOCs) in New Zealand’s territorial waters (within 12 nautical miles) and Exclusive
Economic Zone (12–200 nautical miles).
2. Any reports, datasets, or scientific assessments that consider the potential impacts of ship emissions on
atmospheric conditions, cloud formation, or weather/climate in New Zealand. Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA) does not hold datasets regarding ship emissions regulated
under Annex VI of Marpol, nor does it have any responsibilities in respect of monitoring, implementing or
enforcing Annex VI regulations for New Zealand. However, Earth Sciences New Zealand’s particulate matter
monitoring and compositional analysis has picked up contributions from shipping emissions at monitoring
sites near ports in New Zealand. This information is publicly available through the following publications and
reports:
• ANCELET, T., DAVY, P. K., TROMPETTER, W. J., MARKWITZ, A. & WEATHERBURN, D. C. 2014. Sources
and transport of particulate matter on an hourly time-scale during the winter in a New Zealand urban
valley. Urban Climat
e. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2014.06.003
• DAVY, P.K. & TROMPETTER, W.J. (2019)
Composition, sources and long-term trends for Auckland air
particulate matter: Summary Report. GNS Science Consultancy Report 2019/151. Prepared for Auckland Council. PDF available via the
Ministry for the Environment / Auckland Council supporting documentation:
https://environment.govt.nz/assets/publications/acts-regs-and-policy-
statements/supporting_info_ac_exceptionalevent_25022020.pdf [environment.govt.nz]
• DAVY, P.K., TROMPETTER, W.J. & MARKWITZ, A. (2008)
Source apportionment of airborne particles at
Seaview, Lower Hutt. GNS Science Consultancy Report 2008/160. Prepared for Greater Wellington
Page 1 of 2
Regional Council. PDF available via Victoria University of Wellington repository:
https://ir.wgtn.ac.nz/items/a26210e5-438e-4f73-b50a-2a0a2bf45ec6/full [ir.wgtn.ac.nz]
• DAVY, P.K. & TROMPETTER, W.J. (2019)
Analysis of air particulate matter composition from Napier
Port. GNS Science Consultancy Report 2019/97 LR. Prepared for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. This
report was issued as a letter report and is publicly available via supporting regulatory material:
https://environment.govt.nz/assets/publications/acts-regs-and-policy-
statements/supporting_info_ac_exceptionalevent_08012020.pdf [environment.govt.nz]
GNS Science has prepared several reports on airborne particulate matter under other commercial contracts
that may technically include some limited information that falls within the scope of your request. This
information is withheld under sections 9(2)(i) and 9(2)(ba)(i) of the Official Information Act 1982 (
OIA). We
have considered the public interest in release of this information and are satisfied that it does not outweigh
the need to withhold.
You also requested:
3. Any correspondence between NIWA and other agencies (Ministry for the Environment, EPA, Maritime NZ)
between 1 January 2022 and 1 December 2025 that references Annex VI compliance and potential weather or
climate impacts of ship emissions.
We hold no correspondence between NIWA, GNS Science or Earth Sciences New Zealand and the other
named agencies between 1 January 2022 and 1 December 2025 that references Annex VI compliance and
potential weather or climate impacts of ship emissions. This part of your request is therefore refused under s
18(e) of the OIA on the basis that the information requested does not exist.
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.
Nāku noa, nā
Sarah Fraser
National Manager - Communications
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