Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Archive of NZ Weather & Climate
Forum rules
These topics are a read-only archive and may be subject to out-of-date information.

For today's weather discussion head to: New Zealand Weather & Climate
Manukau heads obs
Posts: 12305
Joined: Mon 10/03/2003 16:30
Location: West Coast Road, Manukau Peninsula, North Island
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

whats the story, Jim Salinger loses his job

Unread post by Manukau heads obs »

On TV1 news 2 nite....he has been sacked.....from NIWA....
whats going on?
seemed to be the new article about the glaciers retreating was the nail in the coffin
Image
Brian Hamilton, weather enthusiast. My weather dataEmail: [email protected]
NZ Thunderstorm Soc
Posts: 18486
Joined: Wed 12/03/2003 22:08
Location: Raukapuka Geraldine
Has thanked: 1769 times
Been thanked: 1412 times

Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by NZ Thunderstorm Soc »

I was saddened/surprised to hear on the news tonight that Jim Salinger has been 'Given the sack from NIWA' :(
I've always liked what Jim has said and have enjoyed his lectures. :smile:

JohnGaul
NZThS
JohnGaul
NZThS
User avatar
03Stormchaser
Moderator
Posts: 4428
Joined: Tue 09/12/2003 12:11
Location: Prebbleton
Has thanked: 104 times
Been thanked: 184 times
Contact:

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by 03Stormchaser »

NZ Thunderstorm Soc wrote:I was saddened to hear on the news tonight that Jim Salinger has been 'Given the sack from NIWA' :(
I've always liked what Jim has said and have enjoyed his lectures. :smile:

JohnGaul
NZThS
Ive always thought he was a good sort, what was the reason??
NZ Largest Storm Chasing Facebook Pagehttp://www.facebook.com/nzstormchasers
NZ Largest Storm Chase Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/NZStormchasersGroup
NZ Stormchasers TV https://www.youtube.com/@NZStormchasers
User avatar
03Stormchaser
Moderator
Posts: 4428
Joined: Tue 09/12/2003 12:11
Location: Prebbleton
Has thanked: 104 times
Been thanked: 184 times
Contact:

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by 03Stormchaser »

NZ Largest Storm Chasing Facebook Pagehttp://www.facebook.com/nzstormchasers
NZ Largest Storm Chase Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/NZStormchasersGroup
NZ Stormchasers TV https://www.youtube.com/@NZStormchasers
User avatar
Nev
Moderator
Posts: 6215
Joined: Tue 07/03/2006 15:24
Location: Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf
Has thanked: 468 times
Been thanked: 1064 times

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by Nev »

Here's a few excerpts from the original TVNZ story...
Face of NIWA sacked for being too public - ONE News
6:59PM Friday April 24, 2009

Dr Jim Salinger has been the public face of the organisation for three decades, but says it was his unauthorised talking to the media that's got him sacked.

Salinger, whose work as a science communicator has earned him accolades and even contributed to a Nobel Peace Prize, says he is now planning to sue his former employer for unjustified dismissal because according to him, he cannot understand why he was sacked.

What got Salinger fired is something that in the past brought him high praise - talking to the media.

And indeed, NIWA is not claiming any concern about what their principal scientist actually said to the media. It's that he defied new policy - speaking publicly without gaining prior approval.

(full story...)
User avatar
tgsnoopy
Posts: 3653
Joined: Fri 25/03/2005 21:17
Location: Tauranga, NZ (Curse you COVID-19 :-( )
Has thanked: 814 times
Been thanked: 283 times

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by tgsnoopy »

That's disgusting. I hope the employment court fines the heck out of them, awards most of the fine to him and re-instates him in the job.

Whomever made that decision needs to be called on it. At best it would be a written warning, certainly not dismissal on a first offense!
RWood
Posts: 3745
Joined: Sat 24/01/2004 16:56
Location: Wellington
Has thanked: 188 times
Been thanked: 123 times

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by RWood »

I think it's appalling, and suspect some government-friendly individual is behind it. I've known Jim Salinger for almost 30 years.
User avatar
Nev
Moderator
Posts: 6215
Joined: Tue 07/03/2006 15:24
Location: Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf
Has thanked: 468 times
Been thanked: 1064 times

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by Nev »

Seems to me that Jim Salinger is being victimised for not towing the new government's party line and being too outspoken on 'Climate Change' issues?

Some disturbing reading in this morning's NZ Herald...
Niwa man fired for media talk
4:00AM Saturday Apr 25, 2009 - By Mathew Dearnaley

...Dr Salinger, 62, says he was summarily dismissed from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) at 4pm on Thursday, and given three and a half hours to clear out his Auckland office. He told the Weekend Herald he received no formal written warnings leading to his dismissal, which followed a 27-year career as a Government scientist, and no criticism of his work.

...He [Salinger] said that of three instances cited against him of talking to media organisations without proper approval, two involved Television New Zealand, with which Niwa had a contract under his management to provide weather information. In one of those cases, he said he gained clearance from Niwa's national communication manager for a reporter to join a snow-line survey flight, only to be told afterwards that he should have sought approval from someone else.

(full story)
southernthrash
Posts: 339
Joined: Sun 12/08/2007 15:48
Location: Invercargill / Dunedin / Queenstown
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by southernthrash »

It is pretty crap that this has happened.

A lot of thoughts on the issue.
User avatar
Willoughby
Site Admin
Posts: 4433
Joined: Sat 14/06/2003 16:18
Location: Darwin, Australia: Storm city
Has thanked: 264 times
Been thanked: 288 times
Contact:

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by Willoughby »

Sounds like they really wanted to get rid of him and pounced at the opportunity.
Andrew Massie
Posts: 1032
Joined: Fri 10/03/2006 14:03
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by Andrew Massie »

Shocking! Well, from what I've heard, NIWA isn't a very good employer, so this cements that for me.
Manukau heads obs
Posts: 12305
Joined: Mon 10/03/2003 16:30
Location: West Coast Road, Manukau Peninsula, North Island
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by Manukau heads obs »

i read that they recently moved premises too, closer to the waterfront, in Auckland.....
Image
Brian Hamilton, weather enthusiast. My weather dataEmail: [email protected]
tich
Posts: 3466
Joined: Sat 15/03/2003 18:32
Location: Christchurch (St Albans)/Akaroa
Has thanked: 21 times
Been thanked: 91 times

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by tich »

That's disgusting. I hope the employment court fines the heck out of them, awards most of the fine to him and re-instates him in the job.
I agree. NIWA management's refusal to comment on the reasons for the sacking is an act of cowardice in my opinion - maybe let's mail them some white feathers.
Razor
Moderator
Posts: 5120
Joined: Fri 10/02/2006 15:14
Location: Halswell, Christchurch
Has thanked: 717 times
Been thanked: 923 times

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by Razor »

What a shocker. I hope NIWA gets done over in the employment court. At my job (involves the South Island rural High Country) we understand NIWA is an acronym for "No Idea Whats Ahead"
Christchurch Rocks
Manukau heads obs
Posts: 12305
Joined: Mon 10/03/2003 16:30
Location: West Coast Road, Manukau Peninsula, North Island
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by Manukau heads obs »

I see that other people (e.g met service) have commented that they have been told not to comment....
really is a very bizzare thing....
and sends a bad image around the world and must be damaging to niwa's reputation...I would say they are shooting themelseve in the foot badly...
maybe its spurred on by someone who wants his job...i.e next in line...
Image
Brian Hamilton, weather enthusiast. My weather dataEmail: [email protected]
ScottyD
Posts: 248
Joined: Tue 10/06/2003 15:34
Location: Mission Heights, Auckland
Has thanked: 33 times
Been thanked: 29 times
Contact:

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by ScottyD »

Manukau heads observer wrote: maybe its spurred on by someone who wants his job...i.e next in line...
Either that or there was someone new in charge who just wanted to flex some muscle, or gets satisfaction out of a showing they have power. Could they have small man syndrome?
jrj
Posts: 462
Joined: Tue 18/03/2003 18:00
Location: Havelock North, New Zealand
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by jrj »

I don't understand the adulation afforded to him. Whenever he came on, I switched off :-$
Manukau heads obs
Posts: 12305
Joined: Mon 10/03/2003 16:30
Location: West Coast Road, Manukau Peninsula, North Island
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by Manukau heads obs »

but knowone desrves to be treated the way he has , after 27 years of service
(mind you Paul Holmes was similar marched off too!)
Image
Brian Hamilton, weather enthusiast. My weather dataEmail: [email protected]
RWood
Posts: 3745
Joined: Sat 24/01/2004 16:56
Location: Wellington
Has thanked: 188 times
Been thanked: 123 times

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by RWood »

James wrote:I don't understand the adulation afforded to him. Whenever he came on, I switched off :-$
Perhaps because you're a climate change cynic? I've known Jim Salinger for about 30 years and his international reputation is well-merited. NIWA will pay for this - in more ways than one - I predict.
User avatar
tgsnoopy
Posts: 3653
Joined: Fri 25/03/2005 21:17
Location: Tauranga, NZ (Curse you COVID-19 :-( )
Has thanked: 814 times
Been thanked: 283 times

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by tgsnoopy »

Like I said, no written warnings, NIWA look out in the employment court, you are going to get what's coming to you.

Unbelievable treatment of a world class respected scientist :(
jrj
Posts: 462
Joined: Tue 18/03/2003 18:00
Location: Havelock North, New Zealand
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by jrj »

Got it in one :wave:
Andrew Massie
Posts: 1032
Joined: Fri 10/03/2006 14:03
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by Andrew Massie »

Ha ha! Gives new meaning to "No Idea What's Ahead!" We'll sit back and see... :popcorn:
jrj
Posts: 462
Joined: Tue 18/03/2003 18:00
Location: Havelock North, New Zealand
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by jrj »

Hopefully they will desist in publishing the "seasonal outlook forecasts", which are about as useful as forecasting by the m**n :-)
Manukau heads obs
Posts: 12305
Joined: Mon 10/03/2003 16:30
Location: West Coast Road, Manukau Peninsula, North Island
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by Manukau heads obs »

they should though only be used as a rough guide (and then fine tune yourself :) )
Image
Brian Hamilton, weather enthusiast. My weather dataEmail: [email protected]
spwill
Posts: 9903
Joined: Sun 29/06/2003 22:39
Location: Mt Eden Auckland
Has thanked: 839 times
Been thanked: 864 times

Re: Jim Salinger's Dismissal

Unread post by spwill »

they should though only be used as a rough guide
Yes, but Niwa had 80% confidence levels for their Autumn prediction for the North of the country, average to above average temps /rainfall. We had a cool and dry March, April should finish closer to their prediction .
Last edited by spwill on Mon 27/04/2009 15:52, edited 1 time in total.
Locked