WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

 

INFORMATION NOTE

 

IMPLEMENTATION-COORDINATION MEETING ON THE gts AND iss IN ra V
8 - 12 December 2003

 

EXPERT MEETING ON ENHANCED UTILIZATION OF DATA COMMUNICATION SERVICES, ESPECIALLY THE INTERNET

11 - 16 DECEMBER 2003

 

Wellington, New Zealand

 

Working Arrangements

1.              The Implementation-Coordination Meeting on the GTS and ISS in RA V will be open at 9.30am on Monday 8th December 2003 at the offices of the Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited (MetService), 30 Salamanca Road, Kelburn, Wellington. The Expert Meeting on enhanced utilization of data communication services, especially the Internet, will be open at 9.00am on Thursday 11th December 2003 at the same venue.  Both groups will meet together on 11 December 2003 to hold a workshop on the utilization of the Internet by NMHSs for the exchange of meteorological and related information.  The working language of both meetings will be English.

                

The venue is located on in the Botanic Gardens approximately 2 km west of the city centre, and is easily accessible from the central city by Taxi or the Wellington Cable Car.

 

Immigration and Health requirements

2.        Participants requiring a visa to enter New Zealand can apply for it from the Embassy of New Zealand in their respective countries or at a nearby country.

 

Registration of participants

3.        Registration of participants will take place at the meeting venue on the morning of 8 December and of 11 December 2003 respectively.  Participants will receive identification badges at the time of registration.

 

Arrival and Transport

4.        Wellington International Airport is situated approximately 7 km from the city centre.  Taxis and Shuttle Buses are readily available at the arrival terminal. Indicative fares from the airport to the city centre are NZD25.00 for taxis and NZD12.00 for shuttle buses.

 

Currency exchange

5.        Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks in the airport. The exchange rate is approximately US$1 to NZD1.80. All commercial banks are authorized currency exchange dealers.

 

Local climate in December

6.        Climate for December in Wellington

 

        Mean daily maximum                                     :               18.60C

        Mean daily minimum                                 :               11.90C

        Mean monthly rainfall                                      :               88.9 mm

        Number of days with rain ³ 1.0mm                     :               9 days

 

Weather forecasts for New Zealand are available at the MetService home page. The address is: http://www.metservice.co.nz/

 

Information about Wellington City including accommodation is available on the Wellington City Tourism website. The address is: http://www.wellingtonnz.com/

 

 

Hotel reservation

8.      A number of suitable hotels are located within the Central Business District of Wellington City.

 

a)        Hotel Ibis Wellington                                             Room rates      

                153 Featherston Street

                      Wellington                                                              Standard Room NZ$135.00 (inc. tax)

                Tel:    64-4-4961880                                          (Does not include breakfast)

                Fax:   64-4-4961881

(5 minutes walk to Cable Car)

 

b)        James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor                    Room rates  

                147 The Terrace                            

                Wellington                                                              Standard Room NZ$175.00 (inc. tax)

                Tel:    64-4-4999500                                          (Does not include breakfast)

                Fax:   64-4-4999800

( 5 minutes walk to Cable Car)

 

c)          Novotel Capital Wellington                                    Room rates

133-137 The Terrace

Wellington                                                              Standard Room NZ$171.00 (inc. tax)

Tel:     64-4-9181900                                                (Breakfast included)

Fax:   64-4-9181901

(5 minutes walk to Cable Car)

       

d)          West Plaza Hotel                                                     Room rates

110-116 Wakefield Street

Wellington                                                              Standard Room NZ$140.00(inc. tax)

Tel:     64-4-4743551                                                (Does not include breakfast)

Fax:   64-4-4743555

(15 minutes to Cable Car)

       

        e)        Copthorne Hotel Wellington Plimmer Towers        Room Rates

                Cnr. Boulcott Street & Gilmer Tce                           Standard Room NZ$145.00(inc. tax)

                Wellington                                                              (Does not include breakfast)                       

                Tel:     64-4-4733750

                Fax:   64-4-4736329

                (5 minutes walk to Cable Car)

       

Hotel pricing information is average prices only as room rates during the week differ from weekend rates. Please check with the hotel concerned for up to date pricing. Participants are requested to make their reservations directly with the hotel. If you require assistance, please e-mail Kevin Alder (contact details below).

Additional Information

9.        MetService will assist with any arrangements related to the meeting.  Should you require further information, please contact:


Kevin Alder

E-mail: Kevin.alder@metservice.com

        Tel            +64 4 4729379

Fax:         +64 4 4735231