Review for the future of weather forecasting

The review, whose name translates to ‘shifting winds’, will look at the most efficient and effective arrangements for the provision of national weather research, observation, modelling, forecasting, warning, severe weather impacts, data access, and communication services in New Zealand.

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. It will be conducted by an independent party.

The focus of this review 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.

As of February 2024, the review is progressing well and has received significant input from MetService, NIWA, and other key stakeholders. It is expected that the weather forecasting system review report will be finalised by the end of April 2024, and advice provided to the Government in May 2024.

The Terms of Reference for the review can be viewed on the MBIE website at: 

Project Hau Nuku: Weather forecasting system review

Media release on Beehive website:

Government review weather forecasting system(external link)