Drivers of extreme weather in Aotearoa & the need for a stronger political response to climate change w/ Climate Scientist Dr Kevin Trenberth & University of Auckland Lecturer in Sustainability Sasha Maher: 27th January, 2026

As New Zealanders across the motu witness the fallout of extreme weather including landslips and flooding, climate experts reiterate the importance of connecting these events to a wider trend of increased frequency and intensity climate events. 

In particular, experts including Dr Kevin Trenberth and Sustainability lecturer Sasha Maher say that New Zealand’s existing infrastructure needs to be upgraded to account for how future natural disasters and climate events will impact Aotearoa.

For Green World this week, Wire host Sara spoke to both of these experts about the challenges New Zealand will face on this issue.

First, Sara spoke to University of Auckland affiliated climate scientist Dr Kevin Trenberth about the drivers of extreme weather conditions, starting by asking how they reflect a larger pattern of temperature change. 

Next, Sara spoke to University of Auckland lecturer Sasha Maher about the political response to these observable climate impacts.