9 Jul 2026 07:00
Planning for the Future: Climate Resilience & Indigenous Knowledge with Prof. Iain White
What is the biggest misunderstanding people have about urban planning? How do we design cities for extreme climate events when nature is acting unpredictably?
In this episode of the Nature Recovery Podcast, hosts Dr. Wendee Zhang and Ada Grabowska-Zhang sit down with Professor Iain White from the University of Waikato. They explore the delicate politics of climate adaptation, the necessity of designing "safe to fail" infrastructure, and how we can better translate academic research into real-world impact. Professor White also shares fascinating insights into New Zealand’s role as a "living laboratory" for multi-hazard resilience and how Indigenous Māori perspectives (Mātauranga Māori) are reshaping long-term environmental governance.
The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.
The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.
