KEY POINTS:
MetService has distanced itself from former chief meteorologist Augie Auer over his stance on global warming.
Dr Auer is one of several high-profile figures involved in the New Zealand Climate Science Coalition - a group that challenges what it maintains are unfounded claims about global warming.
MetService chief executive John Lumsden said the latest World Meteorological Organisation report confirmed the global warming trend.
"We are certain of this observation and would like to point out that the views recently made public by Augie Auer in relation to climate change are his own, and in no way do they reflect those of MetService."
Dr Auer was MetService's chief meteorologist until late 1998, but has had no association with the organisation since then.
The present chief meteorologist, Neil Gordon, said the issue involved the use of the term "former MetService chief meteorologist" in Dr Auer's public statements.
"There is an implication when he uses that phrase. We want to make it very clear in the public's mind that we do not agree with what he is saying," Dr Gordon said.
"An increasing body of observations gives a collective picture of a warming world and other changes in the weather and climate system," he said.
Dr Auer was, however, unperturbed.
"I find it kind of amusing.
"They're going along with the herd, you might say."
