Researchers from Victoria University of Wellington have identified significant skepticism toward climate science within a high-country farming community in Canterbury, underscoring challenges for New Zealand’s climate policy efforts. The findings stem from a case study published this week, which involved detailed interviews with 10 farmers to explore their attitudes toward climate change.
Of those interviewed, only one acknowledged human-caused climate change, while six expressed doubt about the role of human activity, and three viewed climate variations as part of natural cycles. The study, led by master’s student Zoë Brown and funded by the Te Pūnaha Matatini research network, forms part of a broader investigation into trust in science across the country.
Professor Rebecca Priestley, one of the study’s authors, highlighted that the extent of mistrust in climate science was unexpected, given farmers’ routine reliance on scientific knowledge in daily operations, particularly weather forecasting. She noted that the farmers interviewed exhibited significant skepticism toward climate scientists, as well as distrust of government policies perceived as targeting rural communities unfairly.
The interviews were conducted under a Labour-led government actively pursuing environmental regulatory changes affecting the agricultural sector. Participants expressed feeling sidelined by policies they believed neglected their perspectives and interests. At the time of the research, farming accounted for approximately 53% of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions, a notably higher proportion than in many other nations.
The study also revealed farmers’ limited confidence in mainstream media, with many preferring information from farming-focused publications or alternative sources, while placing greater trust in personal observations and knowledge shared among peers. The researchers cautioned that this case study reflects the views of a single community and that attitudes in other rural areas may differ widely.
Priestley emphasised the urgent need for the nation to address climate change comprehensively, describing it as an existential crisis that requires action across all sectors. Despite the prevailing skepticism, the researchers noted farmers’ strong connection to their land and animals, and a genuine desire to care for their environment—though often on their own terms, rather than through government direction.
Looking ahead, the researchers underscored the importance of rebuilding trust between the government and farming communities. They advocated for collaboration and the development of practical, sustainable farming policies that consider farmers' perspectives, alongside efforts to counter misinformation. Priestley added that meaningful climate action depends on political will, which she characterized as currently insufficient.
The study sheds light on the complexities facing New Zealand’s rural communities in the context of climate change debates and highlights trust as a critical factor in shaping future environmental strategies.