The MetService and Niwa are finally working together on weather forecasting, even though Niwa technically no longer exists.
The state-owned enterprise is taking on the expertise of its former competitor when it comes to issuing severe weather warnings.
Until less than a year ago, the two science agencies were often at odds over storm forecasts. On several occasions, the MetService, the government-authorised provider of warning services, complained about dangerous competing narratives coming from Niwa.
While the government decided Niwa should absorb the MetService, ironically it was Niwa, and six other Crown research institutes, which ceased to exist on Tuesday when the government’s science reforms kicked into action.
Niwa and GNS Science have become the public research organisation (Pro) Earth Sciences New Zealand, while the MetService retains a degree of independence, for now.
Earth Sciences NZ’s acquisition of the MetService is expected to take place towards the end of the year or early 2026.
Interference from Niwa was one of the catalysts for change. But now the know-how of the former CRI’s NiwaWeather unit and its supercomputer are routinely used by the MetService.
The MetService declined an interview with the Otago Daily Times. However, in a statement, a spokeswoman said co-operation with Niwa began in December.
"We instituted weekly severe weather discussions with Niwa forecasters to align our analysis and messaging, which strengthens the severe-weather programme.
"We have been working with Niwa on the vision for, and benefits of, the enhanced weather forecasting system. We believe that this system will position New Zealand at the forefront of weather and climate forecasting services and provide [a] single, joined-up, authoritative voice in severe-weather events."
The collaboration with Niwa included working more closely with its computer forecast modelling team and its High Performance Computing Facility.
In a joint statement to the ODT, State-owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown and Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Shane Reti said the MetService would continue to operate "as normal" for now.
Once legislation was passed to remove it from the State-Owned Enterprises Act, it would be able to be acquired by the new Pro.
Regulatory and competition law matters would be part of that legislation, expected to be introduced this year, the ministers said.
"Following the acquisition, MetService will continue to have an executive team as it operates as a fully owned subsidiary of [the] New Zealand Institute for Earth Science Ltd. The senior management of MetService would then be a matter of (sic) the boards of [the] New Zealand Institute for Earth Science Ltd and MetService."
The MetService said in its statement it had begun "some early transition planning" for that merger.
"We understand that legislation to allow this acquisition to take place will pass later this year or early next. However, we’re not able to confirm the exact timing as it pertains to government legislative process," the spokeswoman said.
Documents released after a series of Official Information Act requests last year revealed how fraught the relationship between the two agencies had become over more than a decade.
In a written submission to Project Hau Nuku, which recommended to the government the two should merge, the MetService said there were "potentially fatal consequences" of having Niwa commenting on severe weather.
MetService chief executive Stephen Hunt had written to Niwa boss John Morgan in June 2023 outlining three occasions on which Niwa comments were at odds with the MetService’s official warnings for heavy rain and strong winds.
"Again, I ask your NiwaWeather spokespeople to use the official severe-weather watch and warning information that MetService provides during warning-level events, and to play their part in consistent public-safety messaging," Mr Hunt’s letter said.
Asked for comment, a Niwa spokeswoman said at that time the organisation was "aware of MetService’s perspectives".
By Paul Gorman
