Robert McLachlan
@robertmclachlan.bsky.social
New Zealand mathematician, writing on climate & the environment at http://planetaryecology.org
Would like to see a @musicalchairs.bsky.social vs Blair Turnbull showdown www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
Retirement age will rise to cover superannuation cost, investment company predicts
Milford Investments CEO Blair Turnbull said unless the retirement age rises to 72 or 73, New Zealand can't afford to pay superannuation.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 13, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Would like to see a @musicalchairs.bsky.social vs Blair Turnbull showdown www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
Dame Prof Anne Salmond and I have a chapter in this new book published by @springer.springernature.com. If you're interested in the content, maybe ask your local library to get a copy... link.springer.com/book/10.1007... Chapter summary: Tairāwhiti geology, colonial legacies, Māori-led restoration.
February 13, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Dame Prof Anne Salmond and I have a chapter in this new book published by @springer.springernature.com. If you're interested in the content, maybe ask your local library to get a copy... link.springer.com/book/10.1007... Chapter summary: Tairāwhiti geology, colonial legacies, Māori-led restoration.
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
I’d add two more.
We need government that will end fossil fuels, NOT invest in more, and will shift NZ away from intensive dairy to plant-based organic food production.
Four lessons NZ should take from another summer of climate-charged weather disasters www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
We need government that will end fossil fuels, NOT invest in more, and will shift NZ away from intensive dairy to plant-based organic food production.
Four lessons NZ should take from another summer of climate-charged weather disasters www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Four lessons NZ should take from another summer of weather disasters
Another summer of extreme weather has destroyed and damaged homes, cut off communities and, in the most tragic cases, left families mourning their loved ones.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 13, 2026 at 6:32 AM
I’d add two more.
We need government that will end fossil fuels, NOT invest in more, and will shift NZ away from intensive dairy to plant-based organic food production.
Four lessons NZ should take from another summer of climate-charged weather disasters www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
We need government that will end fossil fuels, NOT invest in more, and will shift NZ away from intensive dairy to plant-based organic food production.
Four lessons NZ should take from another summer of climate-charged weather disasters www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
33 minutes left to submit on the RMA replacements bills.
www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/mak...
www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/mak...
February 13, 2026 at 2:57 AM
33 minutes left to submit on the RMA replacements bills.
www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/mak...
www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/mak...
The Clean Car Standard review has started already but it appears that only a select and secret group have been invited to provide input.
driveelectric.org.nz/policy-submi...
driveelectric.org.nz/policy-submi...
DRIVE ELECTRIC SUBMISSION: Review of the Clean Car Standard (Stage One). - Drive Electric
In November 2025, Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced significant amendments to the Clean Car Standard (CCS), marking a major shift in Aotearoa New Zealand’s effort to cutting transport emission...
driveelectric.org.nz
February 13, 2026 at 1:53 AM
The Clean Car Standard review has started already but it appears that only a select and secret group have been invited to provide input.
driveelectric.org.nz/policy-submi...
driveelectric.org.nz/policy-submi...
Rod Carr: "The government’s levy-funded foreign gas proposal for an LNG terminal shows New Zealand’s politicians being outmanoeuvred yet again by the multi-trillion dollar energy industry." www.carbonnews.co.nz/news/36547/n...
Carbon News
Carbon News NZ Climate Policy Carbon Markets
www.carbonnews.co.nz
February 13, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Rod Carr: "The government’s levy-funded foreign gas proposal for an LNG terminal shows New Zealand’s politicians being outmanoeuvred yet again by the multi-trillion dollar energy industry." www.carbonnews.co.nz/news/36547/n...
From the Govt's own website:
"Subsidies for fossil fuel consumption and production create trade and investment distortions. Making GHG emitting fuels cheaper to produce or buy is an incentive to use more and discourages investment in renewable energy."
Hear hear
www.mfat.govt.nz/en/environme...
"Subsidies for fossil fuel consumption and production create trade and investment distortions. Making GHG emitting fuels cheaper to produce or buy is an incentive to use more and discourages investment in renewable energy."
Hear hear
www.mfat.govt.nz/en/environme...
Fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR)
MFAT leads New Zealand's effort for eliminating energy subsidies that encourage the consumption of green house gas-producing fossil fuels.
www.mfat.govt.nz
February 12, 2026 at 8:37 PM
From the Govt's own website:
"Subsidies for fossil fuel consumption and production create trade and investment distortions. Making GHG emitting fuels cheaper to produce or buy is an incentive to use more and discourages investment in renewable energy."
Hear hear
www.mfat.govt.nz/en/environme...
"Subsidies for fossil fuel consumption and production create trade and investment distortions. Making GHG emitting fuels cheaper to produce or buy is an incentive to use more and discourages investment in renewable energy."
Hear hear
www.mfat.govt.nz/en/environme...
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
Your daily #petrotech - the NZ gas lobby just flat-out saying out loud that data centres are going to be powered by their lovely fossil fuels
February 12, 2026 at 5:15 AM
Your daily #petrotech - the NZ gas lobby just flat-out saying out loud that data centres are going to be powered by their lovely fossil fuels
Interesting article on emissions "decoupling" in Romania. But it has a bit of a blind spot on transport where emissions are skyrocketing. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
February 11, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Interesting article on emissions "decoupling" in Romania. But it has a bit of a blind spot on transport where emissions are skyrocketing. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
Righto. I've read the papers released by MBIE on the LNG analysis. This will be a longish thread on my thoughts, which I'll add to progressively. Docs are here. 🧵 1/-
Document library | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
A filtered search to all the documents stored on the MBIE website.
www.mbie.govt.nz
February 10, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Righto. I've read the papers released by MBIE on the LNG analysis. This will be a longish thread on my thoughts, which I'll add to progressively. Docs are here. 🧵 1/-
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
The "global aviation regime [is] adept at shaping user practices & culture to enable & encourage unconstrained air travel… This has influenced the public’s perception of possible regulatory regimes…"
"confront…artificial[] acceleration [of] demand."
OPEN ACCESS: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
"confront…artificial[] acceleration [of] demand."
OPEN ACCESS: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
February 4, 2026 at 8:56 AM
The "global aviation regime [is] adept at shaping user practices & culture to enable & encourage unconstrained air travel… This has influenced the public’s perception of possible regulatory regimes…"
"confront…artificial[] acceleration [of] demand."
OPEN ACCESS: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
"confront…artificial[] acceleration [of] demand."
OPEN ACCESS: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Another record day of utility solar in New Zealand on 7 Feb – 2200 MWh. Because of the way the market operates, it only earned $6800 for its owners. The government now wants to charge them $8800 towards the LNG terminal. And then what?
February 10, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Another record day of utility solar in New Zealand on 7 Feb – 2200 MWh. Because of the way the market operates, it only earned $6800 for its owners. The government now wants to charge them $8800 towards the LNG terminal. And then what?
David Hall: The LNG decision is "a critical test for New Zealand's strategic capacity. It's one which I fear we're going to fail, with implications for our future economy, and our ability to adapt in a changing technological and geo-political landscape."
the-transitions-lab.ghost.io/the-pointill...
the-transitions-lab.ghost.io/the-pointill...
February 9, 2026 at 8:56 PM
David Hall: The LNG decision is "a critical test for New Zealand's strategic capacity. It's one which I fear we're going to fail, with implications for our future economy, and our ability to adapt in a changing technological and geo-political landscape."
the-transitions-lab.ghost.io/the-pointill...
the-transitions-lab.ghost.io/the-pointill...
NZ Clean Vehicle Standard
In 2025 passenger cars scarcely improved & ended up missing the target by 26 gCO2/km. Utes (& vans) did improve and, thanks to a weakened target, just squeaked in.
In 2025 passenger cars scarcely improved & ended up missing the target by 26 gCO2/km. Utes (& vans) did improve and, thanks to a weakened target, just squeaked in.
February 9, 2026 at 2:39 AM
NZ Clean Vehicle Standard
In 2025 passenger cars scarcely improved & ended up missing the target by 26 gCO2/km. Utes (& vans) did improve and, thanks to a weakened target, just squeaked in.
In 2025 passenger cars scarcely improved & ended up missing the target by 26 gCO2/km. Utes (& vans) did improve and, thanks to a weakened target, just squeaked in.
Children of Men
February 8, 2026 at 7:03 AM
Children of Men
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
“The flying Dragon is somewhat troublesome to compose...”
From The Mysteries of Nature and Art (1634) — an illustrated manual for building devices relating to water works, fireworks, drawing, painting + miscellaneous experiments "confusedly intermixed": publicdomainreview.org/essay/t...
From The Mysteries of Nature and Art (1634) — an illustrated manual for building devices relating to water works, fireworks, drawing, painting + miscellaneous experiments "confusedly intermixed": publicdomainreview.org/essay/t...
February 7, 2026 at 3:15 PM
“The flying Dragon is somewhat troublesome to compose...”
From The Mysteries of Nature and Art (1634) — an illustrated manual for building devices relating to water works, fireworks, drawing, painting + miscellaneous experiments "confusedly intermixed": publicdomainreview.org/essay/t...
From The Mysteries of Nature and Art (1634) — an illustrated manual for building devices relating to water works, fireworks, drawing, painting + miscellaneous experiments "confusedly intermixed": publicdomainreview.org/essay/t...
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
The future of Christchurch as inspired by Butler's Erewhon; of Napier inspired by Guthrie-Smith's Tutira; of Auckland inspired by Mulgan's Man Alone. Alan Marshall, Arts and Culture Journal of the Lower Moon River 14(1) 2025. so07.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ac...
February 5, 2026 at 2:55 AM
The future of Christchurch as inspired by Butler's Erewhon; of Napier inspired by Guthrie-Smith's Tutira; of Auckland inspired by Mulgan's Man Alone. Alan Marshall, Arts and Culture Journal of the Lower Moon River 14(1) 2025. so07.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ac...
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
Environmental activists in New Zealand protest cruise ships with a 7’ planet ⚓️
A spokesman said they were protesting the "floating apartment building[’s]" conspicuous consumption as it floated around the world. "The environmental risks are just too high," he said.
A spokesman said they were protesting the "floating apartment building[’s]" conspicuous consumption as it floated around the world. "The environmental risks are just too high," he said.
War of the worlds
Climate protesters dropped a large inflatable Earth in front of cruise ship The World as it departed from the Otago Harbour yesterday. The action...
www.odt.co.nz
January 31, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Environmental activists in New Zealand protest cruise ships with a 7’ planet ⚓️
A spokesman said they were protesting the "floating apartment building[’s]" conspicuous consumption as it floated around the world. "The environmental risks are just too high," he said.
A spokesman said they were protesting the "floating apartment building[’s]" conspicuous consumption as it floated around the world. "The environmental risks are just too high," he said.
Yesterday the Climate Change Minister Simon Watts said "We’ve cut the red tape, fast-tracked new projects... We’ve got a plan, and it’s working. More renewable energy projects have been commissioned in the last 18 months than in the previous 15 years."
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
You might’ve seen this headline recently: New Zealand is running on nearly 100% renewable electricity.
That means we’re harnessing the power of our wind, our water, and our sun to charge your phones…...
You might’ve seen this headline recently: New Zealand is running on nearly 100% renewable electricity.
That means we’re harnessing the power of our wind, our water, and our sun to charge your phones ...
www.linkedin.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Yesterday the Climate Change Minister Simon Watts said "We’ve cut the red tape, fast-tracked new projects... We’ve got a plan, and it’s working. More renewable energy projects have been commissioned in the last 18 months than in the previous 15 years."
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Fully electric cars overtake pure petrol in the EU in December 2025! (www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-evs...)
Already happened in NZ in December 2023!
Already happened in NZ in December 2023!
January 27, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Fully electric cars overtake pure petrol in the EU in December 2025! (www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-evs...)
Already happened in NZ in December 2023!
Already happened in NZ in December 2023!
It seems Mt Maunganui was NZ's deadliest landslide in a century. Have to go back to Brunner in 1904 (8 deaths, landslide hit village) and Ongarue in 1923 (17 deaths, train hit a landslide) to find more deadly events.
www.linkedin.com/posts/robert...
www.linkedin.com/posts/robert...
List of known deaths in New Zealand from landslides etc | Robert McLachlan
To follow up on Martin Brook's excellent article about the dangers of landslides (https://lnkd.in/eYFnrKvk), to me the data I can find suggest that the Mt Maunganui event is exceptional in our recent ...
www.linkedin.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:01 AM
It seems Mt Maunganui was NZ's deadliest landslide in a century. Have to go back to Brunner in 1904 (8 deaths, landslide hit village) and Ongarue in 1923 (17 deaths, train hit a landslide) to find more deadly events.
www.linkedin.com/posts/robert...
www.linkedin.com/posts/robert...
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
"We should be demanding a government-wide commitment to climate risk reduction, incl. binding emissions cuts, adaptation plans, and a national programme to stabilise vulnerable landscapes using science-informed, Indigenous-led land stewardship." manucaddie540258.substack.com/p/a-brief-hi... #nzpol
January 25, 2026 at 1:12 AM
"We should be demanding a government-wide commitment to climate risk reduction, incl. binding emissions cuts, adaptation plans, and a national programme to stabilise vulnerable landscapes using science-informed, Indigenous-led land stewardship." manucaddie540258.substack.com/p/a-brief-hi... #nzpol
Now out from paywall! Good piece from Max Rashbrooke.
“This week’s floods show why we need to talk about climate change - and keep talking” (paywalled) www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3609...
This week’s floods show why we need to talk about climate change - and keep talking
OPINION: It is not a comfortable conversation for many New Zealanders – but it is the conversation we need to have.
www.thepost.co.nz
January 24, 2026 at 3:53 AM
Now out from paywall! Good piece from Max Rashbrooke.