Meteorological Society of New Zealand awards
In support and celebration of the scientific community, the Meteorological Society of New Zealand has created two new awards and welcomed an honorary member.
Chris Webster – Operational Excellence in Meteorology and Climatology Award (December 2025). This individual or team award recognises a major or lifelong contribution, or development of a significant innovation or tool, that advances operational meteorology or climatology in Aotearoa New Zealand. Widely regarded as New Zealand’s meteorological guru, Chris has dedicated his life to advancing meteorological science, meteorological education and the craft of telling the story of the weather.
Neelesh Rampal – Early Career Scientist Award (December 2025). This award recognises a recent major scientific publication, outstanding thesis, or other publicly available contribution by an early career scientist that advances meteorology or climatology, or applies these sciences in an innovative and meaningful way. Our inaugural winner, Neelesh, led the development of New Zealand’s first deep learning model for downscaling rainfall and rainfall extremes, a model with both international impact and immediate national benefit.
In addition to these new awards, in December 2025, John Crouch was awarded Honorary Membership of the Meteorological Society of New Zealand. This honour celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to meteorology, climatology or atmospheric science. John is one of New Zealand’s most respected operational meteorologists, his career spans more than forty years, and his work affects public safety and the reliability of New Zealand’s warning services.
Find out more at the Meteorological Society of New Zealand.