THIN ICE 2026 (4 Aug 2026)

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 03:30:00 GMT

Royal Society Event-

An urgent update on our changing climate

THIN ICE was filmed more than 15 years ago. Since that time, atmospheric CO2 levels and global temperatures have risen dramatically, threatening to melt polar ice sheets, with very real consequences for society.

Join noted raconteur Te Radar and Film Director Simon Lamb for a showcase of clips from the film alongside current assessments of the evidence from those same scientists featured in the original – now internationally recognised experts. We’ll also hear from policy and governance experts about potential solutions.

About the event

The event is initiated by Emeritus Professor Peter Barrett HonFGS NZAM FRSNZ, Executive Producer of the film. Peter and colleagues pioneered multi-national projects between 1973 and 1999, using the sea ice as a platform to drill core samples from the strata beneath to reconstruct the history of the Antarctic ice sheet over 34 million years. He was the Founding Director of the Antarctic Research Centre.

This event is supported by the Antarctic Research Centre of Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, the New Zealand Antarctic Society, and the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Invitations are being extended to all Members of Parliament.

Speakers

Te Radar, compere for the evening, is a raconteur and Antarctic history enthusiast. His acclaimed show Antarcticana is a comedic look at the history of exploration of the great Southern Land. He travelled there by ship on Garth Morgan’s 2012 Our Far South expedition, directing the documentary of the voyage via the Subantarctic Islands, and the Ross Sea.
Adjunct Professor Simon Lamb has had a long-standing involvement in public understanding of science, and has worked on many BBC science documentaries. He was Lecturer in Geology at Oxford University for many years. He co-directed Thin Ice (2013), a joint project with Oxford University.
Emeritus Professor Dave Lowe FRSNZ FNZSSS is an atmospheric chemist and the first person to make continuous atmospheric CO2 measurements in the Southern Hemisphere. He is a lead author on work that was recognised with a Nobel Peace Prize.
Professor Nancy Bertler is a glaciologist at the Antarctic Research Centre, and Principal Scientist for Earth Sciences New Zealand. She has led major Antarctic ice coring projects and heads the National Ice Core Research Facility. She is now directing a nine-nation investigation of recent abrupt changes in sea-ice and their global consequences.
Professor Tim Naish NZAM FRSNZ is a climate scientist at the Antarctic Research Centre interested in past and future ice-sheet and sea-level changes, Co-Leader of the Aotearoa programme Our Changing Coast, and Chair of the Joint Scientific Committee for the World Climate Research Programme.
Dr Andy Reisinger is an independent consultant working on climate modelling, mitigation, and adaptation who has led workstreams at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Ag Emissions Centre, and the Ministry for the Environment. He is currently a Commissioner at He Pou a Rangi, New Zealand's Climate Change Commission, but is contributing to this event in his capacity as independent expert.
Emeritus Professor Jonathan Boston ONZM is a public policy researcher with interests in public management, tertiary education, long-term governance, environmental policy and the design of the welfare state. In recent years he has published extensively on climate change adaptation.
Rt Hon Simon Upton PC FRSNZ, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. Rhodes Scholar, Privy Councillor, and former politician having held several Ministerial portfolios including Environment. In his current role, he provides independent reports and advice, and has broad powers to investigate environmental concerns.

Doors will open at 4:00pm, with talks from 4:30 to 6:00pm, and refreshments served until 7:30pm.

This event will be recorded for later release. Livestream is not available.

Meteorological Society of New Zealand Annual Conference 2026 (25 Nov 2026)

Tue, 24 Nov 2026 12:00:00 GMT

The Meteorological Society of New Zealand’s annual conference will be held in Pōneke Wellington, at Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn campus, from 25-27 November. The conference will feature a welcome function on Wednesday 25th and a social dinner on the evening of Thursday 26th (venues TBC).

The theme for the conference this year will be:

Connecting Weather, Climate and Earth Systems

As New Zealand's weather, climate and Earth science communities enter a new chapter of collaboration, this conference provides an opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and showcase the science that supports forecasting, environmental stewardship, hazard resilience, and adaptation to a changing climate. MetSoc invites contributions on any topic associated with meteorology and climate. These include (but are not limited to): the large-scale circulation of the atmosphere and oceans; synoptic and operational meteorology; ocean-atmosphere interactions and physical oceanography; remote sensing; atmospheric chemistry; urban meteorology; aerosol and air pollution; hydrological applications; weather and climate hazards and impacts, climate change; and the history of New Zealand meteorology and oceanography. In particular, we encourage reports on interdisciplinary activities, applied science and operational experiences and updates on strategic projects and policy as it relates to our fields.

There will be three presentation options:

· Poster presentations, with one-minute introduction.

· Standard oral presentations of 20 minutes duration, including Q&A.

· Shorter “Lightning Talk” format of five minutes duration, plus group Q&A at the end of each group of talks.

The number of standard oral presentations may be limited. Abstract submission will close 12th August 2026.

Submit Abstract

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGmE8vk5rBOzcb8j_3Nso0lSfirDzcYyNRI6x5eRWeFdrPtw/viewform

Student Member Benefits

A strong focus of MetSoc is the support of student members. This year, any student member who wishes to give a Standard (oral) presentation reporting on work undertaken as part of their thesis or dissertation work will have guaranteed acceptance of their talk and qualify for an attendance bursary equivalent to the conference registration fee, social dinner ticket, and in the case of out of town students, a generous subsidy for travel expenses. The travel component of bursaries will be set in consultation with student members later in the year, and paid on presentation of proof of travel expenses. Students can apply for a grant via the abstract submission form.

Students from developing countries are invited to apply for a new incoming student conference attendance grant.

Details of both grants are available on the MetSoc website: https://www.metsoc.org.nz/Student-Travel-Grants

Conference Excursion

There will be a social excursion to Soames Island following the conference. More details will be circulated soon.

The Meteorological Society of New Zealand upcoming events

THIN ICE 2026 (4 Aug 2026)

Meteorological Society of New Zealand Annual Conference 2026 (25 Nov 2026)