Weather and climate experts set to unite

State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown and Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Shane Reti today jointly announced that Cabinet has agreed to proceed with NIWA’s acquisition of MetService. Both organisations are pleased to be able to start work on combining their capability to create a truly world-class climate and weather forecasting service for New Zealand.

MetService Chair, Paula Jackson says, “Our combined capabilities are vital to support New Zealand’s resilience given the increasing impacts of climate change. It will enable us to better connect climate and weather research and weather forecasting and warning services.”

Noting the wider science sector changes, NIWA Chairman Barry Harris says, “The addition of MetService to the planned merger of NIWA and GNS will result in a combined organisation with the scale, capability and international collaborations to enhance economic resilience and benefit from New Zealand’s natural resources. The new organisation will also significantly advance our understanding of climate, weather and geological hazards, allowing our nation to better prepare for and respond to them.”