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James Renwick

James Renwick

The Conversation

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An ‘ordinary’ storm with extraordinary impacts: what made Wellington’s deluge so intense?

Wellington’s extreme deluge was caused by an unfortunate combination of weather factors. But a warming climate is upping the odds of more of these...

20.04.2026 7

The Conversation

James Renwick

NZ’s sodden January explained: what’s driven this month’s big wet?

A run of damaging storms that has spoiled midsummer and caused floods and landslides isn’t bad luck, but a combination of local, regional and global...

27.01.2026 10

The Conversation

James Renwick

Thunderstorms are noisily kicking off summer in NZ – what’s driving them?

A burst of early-summer thunderstorms has swept across NZ, fuelled by unstable air and a shifting seasonal pattern. Here’s what it means for summer...

03.12.2025 10

The Conversation

James Renwick

A ‘lack of ambition’ over livestock emissions targets now threatens NZ’s reputation and trade

The government’s weakened methane reduction target mirrors the approach promoted by industry lobby groups but rejected by the Climate Change...

14.10.2025 10

The Conversation

James Renwick

Curious Kids: if heat rises, why does it get colder in the mountains?

Warm air rises, but it also expands because air pressure decreases with height. The latter effect wins out and air becomes colder in the mountains.

21.04.2025 10

The Conversation

James Renwick