Legislation to be introduced to enable NIWA’s acquisition of MetService

Bringing meteorology, climate science, hydrology and oceanography together, creates a stronger, more connected weather forecasting system for a more resilient New Zealand. Additionally, it is important to have one authorised voice, especially as the country faces the challenge of an increasing number of severe weather events.

Legislation is expected to be introduced later this year to remove MetService from the State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986 and allow the acquisition to take place. This change will be fiscally neutral, as it will involve one wholly Crown-owned company purchasing another wholly Crown-owned company.

NIWA and MetService will also be required to make some improvements to access to weather related data and publish their weather data access policies including pricing principles and processes on their websites.

This acquisition aligns with the wider reform of the science, innovation and technology system. As part of the reforms, a new public research organisation (PRO) focussed on Earth Sciences, including climate and hazards will be formed by bringing together NIWA and GNS Science. This work is continuing, meaning the Earth Sciences PRO will also include MetService, initially as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Read the Minister’s announcement.

Change forecast for Govt’s weather agencies(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz