Met Shop FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How long have you been in business?

Founder Bill Lee started Met Instruments in 1970. Initially it was a mail-order business specialising in selling and servicing weather and science instruments. In the late 80s the shopfront side of the business (The Met Shop) was developed, mainly through Bill's daughter Sue. This business initially occupied the old Post Office in Aro St. In the late 90s it moved to Swan Lane off Cuba St in Wellington CBD. In September 2013 it shifted to a new address, 66 Dixon Street, still within the Cuba precinct. In September 2016 the bricks and mortar shop was closed and the Met Shop is now online only, sort of back where it started!

From October 2019 new ownership continues the spirit of The Met Shop onwards a new family have taken on the store.

Why the "Met" Shop?

"Met" is short for meteorological, as in weather-related. The name is unique and well-established, and in New Zealand is widely associated with us even if the weather section nowadays occupies only a fraction of the shop. Other Met Shops overseas are associated with public transport or museums/galleries.

What relation do you have to the Met Service?

The Meteorological (or Met) Service is New Zealand's official weather recording and forecasting agency. We are a separate private retail business. We sell some Met Service products - but not, for example, weather balloons. We recommend and point you to use Met Service readings for your locality to calibrate weather instruments (especially barometers).

Do you have a branch in my town/city?

Sorry,  we are currently online only.