A Government bill to fold MetService into Earth Sciences New Zealand has passed its first reading, setting up a merger of the state’s core weather and climate functions and creating a single public voice for severe weather.

The Meteorological Services (Acquisition and Policies) Legislation Amendment Bill allows Earth Sciences New Zealand, a Crown research institute, to acquire MetService. Ministers say the move is aimed at reducing duplication between two government-owned forecasters and improving New Zealand’s ability to understand and respond to climate and natural hazards.

Key changes in the bill include:

• Removing MetService from the State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986.
• Amending the Crown Research Institutes Act 1992 to require Earth Sciences New Zealand to publish an observational weather data access policy.
• Exempting the acquisition from Part 3 of the Commerce Act 1986 on public policy grounds. Standard competition law will continue to apply after the deal is done.

The Government says the MetService brand will remain, and MetService will continue as New Zealand’s internationally authorised meteorological service, preserving a single authorised source for public safety warnings in severe weather.

Ministers argue integration will enable clearer climate insights, more accurate long-range forecasting and quicker alerts, with scientists able to collaborate across a broader network of stations and new computing infrastructure.

The release does not detail the timeline for completion, costs, staffing implications, or how the data access policy will change what is currently available to the public and private sector. It also does not address potential impacts on private weather providers.

With first reading complete, the bill now moves into the next stages of the parliamentary process, including select committee scrutiny and public submissions.