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Database Title

9.10 Waves Database
Keywords
Type1.
Type 11.		 New Zealand EEZ; marine; oceans; waves
Abstract This consists of wave data collected and held by a number of organisations. The data is of varying forms and reliability. Recently satellite data has become an important source of information.
Geographical Coverage NZ EEZ
Ship observations are sporadic while satellite data is more comprehensive.
Dataset start date.
  • Ship observations 1940's/1950's
  • Wave measurements-1960's-1970's
  • Satellite data 1985
Dataset end date. Current
Status/currency. In progress
Update frequency. As new information is collected
Maintenance. Each organisation that collects data

 

Technical Evaluation

  
Parameters- what is measured
  • Wave height
  • Wave period/frequency
  • Wave direction
  • Peak wave period
Parameters- what is calculated
  • Significant wave height (average of largest 33% of waves)
  • Mean wave period
  • Full wave spectrum (way energy spread over wave period).
Methods used to measure parameters
  • Visual observations from shipping (mostly in the National Climate Database)
  • Coastal visual observations (eg. surf clubs, old lighthouses)
  • Wave buoys moored in coastal waters- these measure waves over weeks/months/year. They are collected by a range of organisations and most records are short term. The longest record is 11 yr (Maui in 1970's-1980's). Current active buoys include: NIWA (Wellington Harbour, Hawkes Bay, Banks Peninsula); Auckland Regional Council (Mokohinau); Port of Napier; BHP Steel (Taharoa)
  • S4 current meters-measure currents induced by waves. In shallow (<20m) water
  • Pressure transducer- measures pressure changes on the seafloor due to the passage of waves.
  • Satellites carrying radar altimeters. The accuracy of measurements is comparable with wave buoy measurements. This provides information on significant wave height and wave period. It does not give information on wave direction or wave spectrum.
  • Synthetic wave data generated by a computer model. This has been run 1979-1993.
Scale of use. The method used, location and timing affects how big an area the data can be generalised over.
Number of records Many
GIS compatibility. Not tried. Each measurement set has latitude and longitude
Available formats for users. Varied depending on the dataset
Access constraints. Varied depending on the dataset. Some data is used commercially and is not freely available.
Measurement Accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Completeness of dataset To be completed by database manager.
Positional accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Database custodian N/A
Database custodian contact person Andrew Laing
Database custodian Contact
Address
Phone
Fax
Email		 NIWA
P O Box 14 901
Kilbirnie
Wellington
+64 4 386 0003
+64 4 386 2153
a.laing@niwa.co.nz
References Laing, A.; Gorman, R. 2000. The ocean wave climate around New Zealand: from satellites and modelling. Water and Atmosphere 8(1): 20-23.
Pickrill, R.A.; Mitchell, J. 1979. Ocean wave character around New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research: 13: 501-520.
Stanton, B. 1992. New Zealand ocean wave data inventory. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research :26: 175-8.
Date metadata record prepared. June 2000
Author of metadata record. Victoria Froude

 

Management Evaluation

  
Original purpose.
  • Ship routing and safety
  • Port operation and design
  • Oil company operations
  • Regional council coastal protection and management, safety
  • Engineering company coastal work
  • Research
Relationships with classification systems. N/A
Relationships with other databases National Climate Database (ships' observations)
Known relationships with proposed EPIP indicators. Not known.
Database uses?
  • Shipping companies
  • Port companies
  • Oil companies
  • Regional councils
  • Engineering companies
  • NIWA and other researchers
Public awareness of the database Low  
Database strengths.
  • Techniques for measuring wave data are relatively standard
  • Satellite data gives good coverage
Database limitations.
  • Not in one central database
  • Much of the data is site specific rather than representative
  • Ships data needs to be linked with other data

 

What are the Current and Emerging Uses of the Database for:

  
Assisting with determining historic state/baseline. This can be done for the time measured. The Wave Model has a 15 year hindcast from 1979-1993 for deep water wave conditions off the New Zealand coast
Assisting with determining current state/baseline. This is done with present day measurements
Assisting with modeling possible future outcomes. The Wave Model simulates the wave environment and there is a 15yr simulation of deep water wave conditions.
Risk assessment. The Wave Model can help do this. Occurrence statistics for wave height, direction and period can be calculated for a coastal development site. Wave energy at a beach can help in determining how sediment is moved around. The wave information can be combined with sealevel, meterological and tsunami information to identify coastal hazards.
Monitoring site selection and sample design. This is possible.
Aggregating and reporting data locally, regionally or nationally. Satellites can generalise data to give New Zealand patterns. Simulated data can be at different levels.