Exploring the book Kiwis in Climate
Kiwis in Climate is a new book about Aotearoa New Zealand-based perspectives on climate change. The book grew out of the community of the same name, which has been connecting New Zealanders working in climate and related fields around the world since 2018.
Kiwis in Climate book
Kiwis in Climate is a 2026 collection of writings about climate change from Aotearoa New Zealand authors.
“The focus of this book is to share stories of progress and offer practical visions for climate action,” says editor Tessa Vincent in her introduction. “If any population is to lead on climate action, it can be us.” The book brings together writings from 31 New Zealanders explaining how climate solutions can improve our lives.
The context
Chapters are organised into four sections: Context, Community, Business and Government. The Context section sets the stage, with climate scientist and 2024 New Zealander of the Year Jim Salinger laying out the latest science behind climate change. Salinger quotes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land.” He says it’s important for scientists to communicate clearly and for citizens to be alert. “With the advent of social media,” says Salinger, “disinformation spread by a small number of users has become widespread and is disproportionately undermining trust in climate science.”
Elsewhere in this section, Kiwis in Climate and Net Zero Tracker founder John Lang lays out the thinking behind net zero – the goal of bringing greenhouse gas emissions down to the same level as removals, slowing global warming – and indigenous advocate Kaeden Watts (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) suggests solutions from te ao Māori for the climate emergency facing all New Zealanders. “The drive to sustain the whenua is driven by whakapapa,” says Watts, “a respect for who have come before, and a desire to preserve the land for future generations.”
John Lang
Kiwis in Climate and Net Zero Tracker founder John Lang speaking at the Wellington book launch of Kiwis in Climate.
Community
The first chapter title in the Community section lays out the theme of these writings: it’s about individuals as the foundation for collective action. “It’s easy to succumb to feelings of helplessness and despair,” say authors Barry Coates and Ben Gleisner. “Yet as individuals, we possess far more power to effect change than we typically realise.” Youth advocates Sophie Handford and Mary Moeono-Kolio echo this sentiment, pointing to how the School Strike 4 Climate NZ movement helped encourage politicians across different parties to pass the Zero Carbon Act.
“To co-create a healthy, peaceful and more sustainable world we need to transform our education system,” write Heidi Mardon and the Toimata team. They lay out ways for whānau, ako and educators and those active in policy and business to drive this transformation. Food systems expert Emily King lays out plans for a resilient, climate-friendly way of producing and consuming food, transport thinkers Tim Adriaansen and Marie Guerreiro offer thoughts towards a similar renewal of the way we get about and journalist Marc Daalder suggests ways for media to talk about climate change so as to empower citizens, rather than driving them to despair.
Business
“Imagine the impact if every employee saw sustainability as part of their job description,” suggest sustainability professionals Izzy Fenwick and Carolyn Mortland in their opening to the Business section of Kiwis in Climate. Sustainability is good for business, argues Nick Morrison. “If businesses do not adapt and evolve,” he says, “they will not survive – let alone thrive.” A huge example is provided by Sam Lang and Sam Hogg, who put forward ecological farming as our biggest climate opportunity. “There is a growing network of farmers taking an ecological approach,” say the Sams, laying out the benefits to farmers from such an approach – a true win-win.
“New Zealand is blessed with one of the highest levels of renewable energy in the world,” says Genesis CEO Malcolm Johns, “yet only 30% of our total energy consumption today comes from renewable sources.” He examines this disconnect and looks forward to Aotearoa’s transition to more renewable energy. Carl Vink and Rohan McMahon explore ways of doing good by the climate while making money, and Simon Millar and Olivia Grainger use the massively influential 100% Pure New Zealand campaign as a springboard for exploring why businesses should think like a forest. Lawyer Jessica Palairet then explores how the law can play a part in our efforts towards net zero.
Government
Wellington City Councillor Laurie Foon heads up the Government chapter with an exploration of the capital’s successes in becoming a globally leading city on climate change, and former He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission Chair Rod Carr discusses some of the impacts and limitations of the commission. Jacinta Ruru’s hope is for states to embrace being led by indigenous peoples, exploring how colonial governments can more meaningfully connect with tangata whenua. Former Minister Tim Groser’s chapter tells stories from his time in international climate negotiations, highlighting New Zealand’s key role in shaping the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Mary Moeono-Kolio and Laurie Foon
Wellington City Councillor Laurie Foon listens to Youth Advocate and founding member of Pacific Climate Warriors Mary Moeono-Kolio at the Wellington launch of Kiwis in Climate.
“We need a radical shift in how the world approaches the climate crisis,” says former Ministry for the Environment advisor Lindy Fursman in her chapter on Aotearoa New Zealand’s potential for climate leadership. David Hall bemoans the outsized impact of the notion of economic scarcity, arguing for transformation through ideas like innovation and community and editor Tessa Vincent suggests Aotearoa New Zealand’s climate leadership void can be overcome by cross-party collaboration on climate issues.
Kiwis in Climate is packed full of ideas and suggestions. It’s a lively, colourful book about innovation, transformation and what matters in our current moment. The book will start conversations and offer paths forward where movement has stalled. There’s something here for every Kiwi.
Related content
Climate action – the scientific consensus is that the Earth’s climate is warming, largely through greenhouse gas emissions due to human activity. What we do about this is up to all of us.
The carbon cycle and climate change – key terms – build the literacy needed to understand the complexity of Earth systems and climate change.
Understanding the basics of climate change – in this recorded webinar Associate Professor Chris Eames explains the key science ideas we need to understand in order to teach climate change effectively.
Climate change – challenging conversations – this activity uses concept cartoons to encourage conversations about climate change. Concept cartoons put forward a range of viewpoints designed to motivate and engage people and stimulate discussions.
Climate change resources – planning pathways provides pedagogical advice and links to the New Zealand Curriculum. It includes an interactive planner that groups Hub resources into key science and teaching concepts.
Drive it Down! – a context for learning curates resources about the global and urban carbon cycles for younger learners.
Useful links
Kiwis in Climate – visit publisher Bateman Books’ website to find out more and order a copy.
Visit the Kiwis in Climate website.
See all news