Enabling transformational adaptation in the primary sector: Possible, Plausible, Preferable?

Are there limits to adaptation in Aotearoa? Is it plausible: and if so, what is stopping us? And just what IS the future we want? A series of experts will present short talks on hot topics before being joined by Lauren Rickards and Rod Oram for a robust panel discussion on the challenges of enabling effective adaptation.

Nicholas Cradock-Henry

Nicholas Cradock-Henry is the Principal Social Scientist with GNS Science and Co-leader, Resilience, Policy & Governance for Resilience to Nature’s Challenges. He received his PhD in Geography from the University of Canterbury (2011), and holds a Masters of Environmental Science and post-graduate diploma in Geographic Information Systems. His doctoral research investigated adaptation to climate change and other, non-climatic stressors in agricultural systems in eastern New Zealand.


John Reid

John (Ngāti Pikiao; Tainui) leads research programmes attempting to solve complex socio-economic problems by utilising systems thinking and indigenous wisdom traditions. John’s programmes bring together science, industry, and indigenous communities to address sustainability challenges related to New Zealand’s oceans, freshwater, land and biodiversity.


Jenny Christie

Jenny is the Principal Scientist Climate Impacts at the Ministry for the Environment. She has an extensive background in climate adaptation at a central government level, having worked previously for the Department of Conservation and was responsible for developing their adaptation and research plans.

Rod Oram

Rod Oram has more than 40 years’ experience as an international business journalist. He is a frequent public speaker on deep sustainability, business, economics, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, in both NZ and global contexts.

Rod was a founding trustee of Akina Foundation, which helps social enterprises develop their business models in areas of sustainability.

Discussion filmed at the Adapting Aotearoa symposium, held at the Christchurch town hall on the 20th of November, 2023. proudly brought to you by the Deep South Challenge in collaboration with Resilience to Nature’s Challenges and Our Land and Water.