AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Aug. 13, 2024 — The New Zealand government has announced the purchase of a new NZ$20 million (approximately US$12.12 million) supercomputer. This next-generation system marks the fourth high-performance computer acquired by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) since its initial HPC investment in 1999.

“As the biggest research computer in New Zealand, it represents a $20 million investment in NIWA’s world-leading climate, marine and freshwater science and advanced technologies,” said NIWA Chief Executive John Morgan. “The new computer will have 2.5 to 3 times more generational power than its predecessor, allowing for higher resolution, more frequent processing and additional AI workloads.”

It will be housed at two state-of-the art data centers in Auckland, with the highest security and sustainability credentials.

Morgan said the new supercomputer is an investment in New Zealand’s future.

“This is a substantial investment in New Zealand science which will benefit all New Zealanders and our friends throughout the Pacific Islands. With our nation increasingly disrupted by extreme weather events, NIWA’s new supercomputer will enable high-resolution weather and climate forecasting 24/7, using data from weather stations all around the world.

“It’s not just weather forecasting that the supercomputer will significantly enhance. NIWA is the science lead in the international satellite mission (MethaneSat) detecting global emissions of methane – including those from agricultural sources. But if it’s windy, the methane will be blown away from its source, so we need high-resolution weather models to show us the origin of the methane. That requires huge computational resources.

“It will also be used to help keep us all safe in the outdoors through weather forecasting services for the Department of Conservation and by supporting FENZ in their fire and emergency services. The supercomputer is also capable of tailored expansion to meet the supercomputing requirements of other science institutions – here and throughout the Pacific,” said Morgan.

About NIWA

Established in 1992, NIWA – with its global reputation for excellence in water and atmospheric research – is one of New Zealand’s seven Crown Research Institutes, organizations tasked with carrying out scientific research for the benefit of New Zealand. The mission of NIWA is to conduct leading environmental science to enable the sustainable management of natural resources for New Zealand and the planet. NIWA’s purpose is to enhance the economic value and sustainable management of New Zealand’s aquatic resources and environments, to provide understanding of climate and the atmosphere, and to increase resilience to weather and climate hazards to improve the safety and wellbeing of New Zealanders.

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Source: NIWA