The authors calculated atomic partition functions (APF) for nickel ions, Ni I - Ni X, using recent compilations of atomic energy levels. Observed sets of atomic energy levels were filled through levels predicted in quantum mechanics and autoionization levels. Therefore, our APFs include levels above those tabulated. APFs are functions of temperature T and the lowering of ionisation energy (LIE). LIE is the result of emitter-plasma interactions in gas that cause dissolution of the highest energy levels and is applied here in a cut-off approximation.