About
Climate scientist
National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA)
andrew.tait@niwa.co.nz
Summary
I am the leader of several large research projects in New Zealand, focussing on adaptation to climate variability and change. I participated in the Samoan Climate Early Warning System project (part of the Samoan National Adaptation Plan of Action) through input to the Agriculture, Health and Forestry sectors project design. I regularly interact with NMHS and sector representatives to identify climate data and information needs and preferred delivery mechanisms. I am involved in the GFCS. I am involved in various Pacific activities, focussing on climate observations, climate outlook and early warnings, training and capacity building, fundamental climate research, and climate and health. I am a co-chair of WMO CCl OPACE-4 and the chair of the PICS Panel.
Publications
Title: Australasia. In: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. Link: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/wg2/WGIIAR5-Chap25_FINAL.pdf
Qualifications
Degree: PhD Period: 1993 - 1996 Status: Completed Education institution: University of Colorado
Degree: MSc (Hons) Period: 1991-1992 Status: Completed Education institution: University of Otago Country: New Zealand
Degree: BSc Period: 1987 - 1990 Status: Completed Education institution: University of Otago Country: New Zealand
Training: First Aid Period: 2015 Status: Completed Education institution: Fire & Emergency Training Solutions Ltd Country: New Zealand
Professional society: Meteorological Society of New Zealand Highest position held: President Period: 2000 - present
Professional society: World Meteorological Organisation Highest position held: Co-Chair, OPACE-4 (User Interface for Climate Adaptation and Risk Management) Period: 2011 - present
Language: English Reading: Excellent Speaking: Excellent Writing: Excellent Understanding: Excellent
Degree: MSc (Hons) Period: 1991-1992 Status: Completed Education institution: University of Otago Country: New Zealand
Degree: BSc Period: 1987 - 1990 Status: Completed Education institution: University of Otago Country: New Zealand
Training: First Aid Period: 2015 Status: Completed Education institution: Fire & Emergency Training Solutions Ltd Country: New Zealand
Professional society: Meteorological Society of New Zealand Highest position held: President Period: 2000 - present
Professional society: World Meteorological Organisation Highest position held: Co-Chair, OPACE-4 (User Interface for Climate Adaptation and Risk Management) Period: 2011 - present
Language: English Reading: Excellent Speaking: Excellent Writing: Excellent Understanding: Excellent
Work Experience
Area of expertise: Climate services development Experience: 10
Employment date: Mon, 01/05/2000 - 12:00 Current: No Company: National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA) Position: Principal Scientist, Climate Location: Wellington, New Zealand Projects: Project date: Thu, 01/01/2009 - 12:00 - Sat, 01/12/2012 - 12:00 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Position: Leader Title: Climate Change and Urban Impacts Description: This project produced a comprehensive set of tools for assessing and adapting to climate change impacts for NZ cities and towns [see https://www.niwa.co.nz/climate/urban-impacts-toolbox]. Project date: Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Position: Leader Title: Climate Change Impacts and Implications Description: CCII (Climate Changes, Impacts & Implications) is a targeted research project that will update and improve projections of climate trends, variability and extremes across New Zealand out to 2100, based on the latest global projections. It will generate new knowledge about the potential impacts of climate change and variability on New Zealand’s environment, including our natural ecosystems and native species, and the impacts on the many productive activities which depend on the environment and enable continued growth and prosperity [see http://ccii.org.nz/].
Project name: Climate Change Technology Trasfer Client: Ministry of Primary Industries, New Zealand Project period: Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00 - Mon, 01/12/2014 - 12:00 Position: Scientist Location: Wellington, New Zealand Deliverables Helped to develop a climate change bureau of resources (a digital library). Completed ~100 reviews and helped produce five summary documents (condensing and summarising technical reports).
Project name: Extreme Weather Seminars Client: Beef and Lamb NZ Project period: Fri, 01/07/2011 - 12:00 - Fri, 01/06/2012 - 12:00 Position: Scientist Location: Wellington, New Zealand Deliverables Attended and presented at 14 Beef and Lamb NZ workshops project around the country.
Project name: Climate Change and NZ Transport Client: Land Transport NZ Project period: Wed, 01/07/2009 - 12:00 - Tue, 01/06/2010 - 12:00 Position: Scientist Location: Wellington, New Zealand Deliverables Two reports on the impacts of climate change on New Zealand's road, rail and port infrastructure and facilities.
Employment date: Mon, 01/05/2000 - 12:00 Current: No Company: National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA) Position: Principal Scientist, Climate Location: Wellington, New Zealand Projects: Project date: Thu, 01/01/2009 - 12:00 - Sat, 01/12/2012 - 12:00 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Position: Leader Title: Climate Change and Urban Impacts Description: This project produced a comprehensive set of tools for assessing and adapting to climate change impacts for NZ cities and towns [see https://www.niwa.co.nz/climate/urban-impacts-toolbox]. Project date: Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Position: Leader Title: Climate Change Impacts and Implications Description: CCII (Climate Changes, Impacts & Implications) is a targeted research project that will update and improve projections of climate trends, variability and extremes across New Zealand out to 2100, based on the latest global projections. It will generate new knowledge about the potential impacts of climate change and variability on New Zealand’s environment, including our natural ecosystems and native species, and the impacts on the many productive activities which depend on the environment and enable continued growth and prosperity [see http://ccii.org.nz/].
Project name: Climate Change Technology Trasfer Client: Ministry of Primary Industries, New Zealand Project period: Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00 - Mon, 01/12/2014 - 12:00 Position: Scientist Location: Wellington, New Zealand Deliverables Helped to develop a climate change bureau of resources (a digital library). Completed ~100 reviews and helped produce five summary documents (condensing and summarising technical reports).
Project name: Extreme Weather Seminars Client: Beef and Lamb NZ Project period: Fri, 01/07/2011 - 12:00 - Fri, 01/06/2012 - 12:00 Position: Scientist Location: Wellington, New Zealand Deliverables Attended and presented at 14 Beef and Lamb NZ workshops project around the country.
Project name: Climate Change and NZ Transport Client: Land Transport NZ Project period: Wed, 01/07/2009 - 12:00 - Tue, 01/06/2010 - 12:00 Position: Scientist Location: Wellington, New Zealand Deliverables Two reports on the impacts of climate change on New Zealand's road, rail and port infrastructure and facilities.