Project Hau Nuku: Weather forecasting system review

The review is named Project Hau Nuku, which means shifting winds.

The focus of Project Hau Nuku is to:

• identify and recommend the optimal arrangements and responsibilities in the weather forecasting system that will best position New Zealand to meet future weather-related challenges and impacts within the context of climate change
• based on the system’s optimal arrangements, consider the most appropriate structural configuration in relation to MetService and NIWA
• identify whether changes in access to weather data should be considered and if so, what these should be.

Project Hau Nuku is being led by Te Tai Ohanga the Treasury and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Hikina Whakatutuki (MBIE), with support from Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport.

The review was undertaken by the Sapere Research Group, with oversight from the Treasury, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Ministry of Transport. The reviewer engaged with over 50 stakeholders and received significant input from MetService, NIWA and key stakeholders.

Update on the review

The Government has agreed in-principle for work to commence on bringing together the significant capabilities and resources of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited (NIWA) and the Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited (MetService).

Work is underway to explore the changes necessary to ensure a more integrated weather forecasting system including the implementation pathway. 

Read the Minister’s announcement on the Beehive website.

Building a stronger weather forecasting system(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

Terms of Reference 

The Terms of Reference (ToR) sets out the scope and process for the review:

Proactive release of papers

This release contains information regarding the Government’s weather forecasting system review.