Information for media
MetService spokespeople can provide media commentary around all types of weather especially during severe weather events.
MetService is the source of Aotearoa New Zealand’s official Severe Weather Warnings and Watches (under the Meteorological Services Act). We work closely with NEMA and local agencies to get the most important weather information to the people that need it. We value working closely with New Zealand media, to ensure this safety-critical message reaches the biggest audience, as clarity of message is important for public safety.
MetService.com has all the updated forecasts and warnings. The Severe Weather Watches and Warnings page on MetService.com is also intended to help understand the regions at risk of forecasted severe weather.
We send out regular Weather News media releases – you can find the latest on our website MetService.com homepage, or to receive these direct to your inbox, sign up here.
Our social media channels which are updated daily with the latest graphics which can be used by you, are
Facebook: @MetService
Twitter: @MetService
Call us 24/7
Feel free to call us to clarify or verify anything weather related or for quotes and stats to support your weather stories.
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You can also email MetComms@metservice.com monitored everyday 7am – 3pm. |
Our weather communicators are available to help with any media weather needs, daily from 7am to 3pm including weekends. (In the lead up to a big weather event the above hours often extend, covering 6am – 10pm.)
Outside of this, the media phone line will be answered by meteorologists - we’ve got you covered 24/7.
Our Weather Communications Team
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Lisa Murray
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Meteorologist Lisa Murray heads the Weather Communication team at MetService Te Ratonga Tirorangi where she specialises in emergency weather communication to ensure people’s safety during severe weather events. She is an experienced science communicator/educator and co-author of the book New Zealand’s Wild Weather. |
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John Law
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John presents the daily weather videos on MetService.com. Originally from the United Kingdom, John has spent most of his time since 2011 in the Southern Hemisphere either here at MetService as one of the team of meteorologists or working with the British Antarctic Survey at their Rothera Research Station. |
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Mmathapelo “Thapi” Makgabutlane
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Mmathapelo is a meteorologist with experience forecasting weather in her home country of South Africa and here in Aotearoa New Zealand. She has a deep interest in how weather affects people’s lives and counts a 100-day expedition to Antarctica as one of her “coolest” weather experiences. |
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Andrew James
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Growing up in a family involved in horticulture cemented a strong sense of importance in the weather for Andrew. After a few years as a teacher, Andrew completed his Master of Meteorology in 2016 and has since worked right across the forecast room at MetService. Andrew is equally comfortable fronting videos in the studio, monitoring volcanic ash and writing forecasts for pilots as he is at answering your weather questions. |
Alongside the team here we have the great support of a wide range of meteorologists from the forecast room: Pete, Jessie, Dan, Clare, Al, Stephen, April, Alain, Amy, David, Dom, Karl, Ashlee, Luis, Rob, Alec, Julie and Ngaire.