New director of Ngā Ara Whetū calls for urgent environmental fixes at University of Auckland

Professor Dan Tompkins has taken over as director of Ngā Ara Whetū, the Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society at the University of Auckland. He says environmental problems need solutions now because human wellbeing depends on healthy ecosystems. Tompkins previously led science at Predator Free 2050, where he helped restore native bird populations across over 100,000 hectares in New Zealand. Tompkins plans to combine academic research, mātauranga Māori, and community knowledge to drive practical environmental outcomes. He wants research to have direct on-the-ground impact, not just sit in journals. The centre brings together experts from across the university to develop complex solutions for climate and biodiversity challenges. The article notes that two former co-directors have resigned but remain at the university. Tompkins' background includes work on sustainable harvesting in Borneo and predicting climate change impacts on conservation in New Zealand.