Founder Q&A : Weather Radar

Weather Radar founder, Luke Sutherland-Stacey, stands next to a single-frequency Vertically Pointing Radar at Orewa, Auckland.

What products, services, solutions or technology have you developed?

We operate in two main product areas :

• Software as a Service
• New Weather Radar Hardware

1. Software as a Service

Understanding where, when, and how much rain has fallen is crucial for optimizing New Zealand’s “Three Waters” infrastructure, especially with climate change impacts. While NZ MetService provides a modern radar network, their data products often don’t meet the specific needs of sophisticated users like Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters Department. We address this by translating their requirements into precise science activities, delivering reliable rainfall data through a partnership with Mott MacDonald’s GIS platform, Moata. We currently analyze radar data for Auckland, Northland, and Wellington.

2. New Weather Radar Hardware

Given the complexities of the national radar network, we’ve developed a network of vertically pointing radars around Auckland to monitor and correct biases in the main radar system, supported by an MBIE “Smart Ideas” project to develop new radar receivers.

What key customer problems does your solution solve?

Our clients seek accurate past and future rainfall data, but physical and technological limitations prevent perfection. We provide enhanced observations and forecasts to assist local government in managing infrastructure and responding to rainfall events. Our products enable instant access to detailed rainfall information, transforming post-event reports into real-time decision support dashboards.

Who and where are your target customers?

Primarily NZ local government Three Waters agencies responsible for drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater services.

How and when did you first come up with the idea for your business?

Inspired by mentors like Geoff Austin and experiences in university and industry, I recognized the challenges in measuring and forecasting rainfall and saw an opportunity to translate complex radar science into practical solutions, leading me to start this business instead of pursuing a post-doctoral position.

What are three things about your business that you are proud of?

How do you market your business and what advice do you have for others?

We focus on building long-term professional relationships through presentations, stakeholder engagement, and pilot projects, guiding stakeholders to envision solutions to their rainfall observation challenges.

Biggest challenge faced?

Bootstrapping the business with financial precarity, supported by my wife’s understanding and support during the early hard years and family start.

Entrepreneur lesson for others?

Understand your customers’ needs deeply, build a capable team to deliver a viable product, and aim for measurable incremental progress, investing personally to ensure quality and commitment.

Story created in partnership with Grid AKL.

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