A job-cut at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Lauder station will not affect the important contribution the centre makes to the national and international science community, a Niwa spokesman said yesterday.
An atmospheric physicist has been made redundant at the Lauder station after a nationwide review of atmospheric science and support-staff roles at Niwa.
"There was insufficient funding for the Lauder position," the Niwa spokesman, who declined to be named, said.
Any contracted work would be carried out by others in the Niwa team so the job loss would not affect the contribution Lauder made to science in New Zealand and overseas.
Information gathered at the research station was a vital cog in global climate research, international climate scientists said last month.
More than 30 scientists toured the station after meeting to discuss a new global network to improve the quality of climate data.
Overseas scientists told Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean that Lauder had a well-earned reputation and played a big role in the international atmospheric scientific community.
Lauder staff members specialise in measuring CFC (chlorofluorocarbons), ozone, ultraviolet light and greenhouse gases. About 20 people work there.
The Public Service Association last month said the nationwide review would lead to 34 jobs being lost at Niwa. No figures were available on total job losses, the Niwa spokesman said.
However, there were no proposals for any further job cuts at Lauder, he said.
