MenuMain navigation

Feature article

New leader of the National Climate Centre

Dr Andrew Tait - New leader of the National Climate Centre

Dr Andrew Tait is the new leader of the National Climate Centre (NCC) at NIWA, taking over from Dr David Wratt, who is now the General Manager for Climate Change at NIWA.

Andrew studied at the Universities of Otago and Colorado and has been working as a climatologist at NIWA since 2000. His recent projects include delivering map-based output for land-use management, for example identifying potential growing areas for alternative crops and tree species; also producing site-specific climate data estimates for water quality and quantity assessment, for example estimating daily rainfall in ungauged catchments for input into stream flow models.

Andrew sees the primary role of the NCC as one of connecting New Zealanders to the resources they need to better understand and adapt to our variable and changing climate.

What is the NCC?

The National Climate Centre is a ‘virtual’ centre whose scientists work at NIWA sites throughout the country. The NCC maintains a national environmental observing network, and archives climate data. NCC scientists use data and models to monitor climate variability, produce seasonal climate outlooks, refine global scenarios of future climate change for the New Zealand region, and assess climatic impacts on New Zealand’s economic activity. The NCC adds value to the data through analysis, public interpretation, and research initiatives,including collaboration with an international network of scientists and agencies.

What can the NCC do for you?

Through the NCC, New Zealanders now have free access to international-standard environmental data, to assist with determining the impacts of weather and climate on their work and leisure, to provide high quality, routine input to operational models and decision making, and to plan forward decisions onvarious timescales. NCC scientists frequently present public talks on the current state of knowledge of climate science and the likely impacts of climate variability and change for New Zealand. Central and local government are able to use the NCC’s information for public administration, and the maintenance and conservation of New Zealand’s landscapes and resources.

What are the benefits?

The NCC assists New Zealanders to understand our natural environment, to help prepare for exposure to climate risks, and to maximise use of the climate as a resource. It enables us to preserve our natural heritage so that we can both meet our current needs and provide for the enjoyment and prosperity of future generations.

For further reading on the National Climate Centre, see:
www.niwa.co.nz/ncc/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0-4-386 0300

Archived

This page has been marked as archived, and is here for historical reference only.

Information provided may be out of date, and you are advised to check for newer sources in this section.

This content may be removed at a later date.