Framing the Emergency: Climate Journalism in Aotearoa New Zealand

The climate emergency challenges how we understand the relationship between our economy, environment, and society. It is framed in different ways by different people, and a journalist’s job is to cover all of the action and the angles. How can they do this and still be a part of the solution?

This symposium will investigate climate journalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, discussing its current practices and challenges, and exploring different ways we can tell media stories about the climate emergency.

We will hear from leading climate journalists about their work in a news media industry under extraordinary stress, and from prominent climate news sources striving for urgent political, economic, and social change. Each panel discussion will include an audience Q&A session.

Join us in conversation with some of Aotearoa’s leading climate journalists, climate activists and communication scholars for this free AUT live event brought to you by the Communication for Social Change research centre and the Journalism, Media and Democracy research centre. 

WHERE:
AUT City Campus
Room: WA224 A/B (downstairs next to the atirum)
55 Wellesley St East

WHEN:
Thursday 29 May 2025

10.00-11.00am 

• Welcome – Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies, Acting Dean, Prof Suzanne Wilkinson
• Opening Remarks – Prof Geoffrey Craig

11.00am-12.30pm Panel Discussion

• Eloise Gibson, RNZ
• Marc Daalder, Newsroom
• Miriama Kamo, (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga) TVNZ
• Moderator: Dr Greg Treadwell

12.30-1.30pm – Lunch (included with in-person tickets)

1.30-3.00pm Panel Discussion 

• Dr Russel Norman, Greenpeace
• Jessica Palairet, Lawyers for Climate Action
• Joe Nagera, Pacific Climate Warriors
• Moderator: Assoc. Prof. Vijay Devadas

3.00-4.00pm Concluding Discussion (Q&A)

• Respondents: Dr Greg Treadwell, Matt Halliday
• Moderator: Prof Geoffrey Craig