By Jamie Morton, Science Reporter, NZherald — Niwa and MetService have faced a fresh grilling from MPs over why taxpayers are funding two weather forecasting units.

MetService, a state-owned enterprise, is New Zealand’s official weather forecasting service – but in recent years the Crown research agency Niwa has expanded into the area, setting up its own dedicated forecasting unit, Niwa Weather.

Private forecaster WeatherWatch has been calling on the Government to address the double-up and accused the two of running a “duopoly” over public weather data.

Both agencies – which are being investigated by the Commerce Commission for possible anti-competitive behaviour – today delivered their annual briefings to Parliament’s Economic Development, Science and Innovation select committee.

Both acknowledged there was “an overlap” in forecasting – and it was also revealed their boards had recently met and made a “mutual commitment” to operate in a way that was best for the country.

No sooner had Niwa’s chairman Barry Harris and chief executive John Morgan finished giving their report, committee member Parmjeet Parmar raised the double-up issue.

“I’d say it’s an interesting rhetoric – but the reality is that we do some things that are similar and a lot of things that are very different,” Morgan responded.

Niwa had a focus on impacts from weather – such as flooding, soil moisture and pastoral growth – while MetService did an “outstanding job” in its role, he said.

Parmar, who is also National’s science spokesperson, replied: “So you are saying when it comes to forecasting weather, there is no duplication?”

Morgan said there would be “inevitably some” as both agencies began with the same information. He likened the situation to a car and a truck both being vehicles but each serving different purposes.

Later in the session, National MP Stuart Smith again quizzed Morgan and Harris, pointing out that both Niwa and MetService had well-developed websites providing freely available forecasts.

“It must cost quite a lot of money. Why are we doubling up on this? I would have thought you would have just linked and one would be using the other entity’s forecast, rather than doubling up,” Smith said.

“And it is doubling up. I know your explanations and I’ve listened to them, but it doesn’t satisfy me, quite frankly.”

Harris replied that Niwa was using the data to do its science anyway – and he didn’t believe there was a “cost duplication”.

“I admit there is overlap, but I’m not actually seeing duplication that would warrant only providing one product to those who want to use it.”

‘This is crazy’

MetService chief executive Peter Lennox – who described his organisation as the “single authoritative voice for severe weather” – faced more hardball questions when he and chairman Anthony Howard fronted.