Climate politics to get an airing | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

Wairarapa people are in line for a rare insight into the politics of international climate change by one of the country's leading experts.

Adrian Macey, New Zealand's first climate-change ambassador and former chairman of the Kyoto Protocol negotiations, will give a talk on the subject at the Masterton Town Hall next week.

As well as being the country's first climate-change ambassador from 2006-2010, Dr Macey is a senior associate of the Institute of Policy Studies at Victoria University.

The talk has been organised by the adult-learning group, the University of the Third Age (U3A), and is the group's first such public event.

Organiser Chris Cassels said the visit was a coup for the region.

"I think climate change is a hugely important issue and it's a unique opportunity because Adrian is not the sort of person people often get the chance to hear," Ms Cassels said.

Climate change was a really hot issue at the moment, with the Kyoto Protocol due to expire next year and a recent meeting in Durban leading to some important advances, she said.

U3A chairman Brett Clark said the talk would not be heavy on science, instead focusing on the twists and turns of the international responses.

"He will be giving us an insight into the negotiation process and how you can manoeuvre around the different interest groups," Mr Clark said.

He said the group hoped to bring other speakers to the region later in the year.

Before his work in climate change, Dr Macey served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including as ambassador to Thailand, chief trade negotiator, and ambassador to France, Algeria and the OECD in Paris.

Adrian Macey will speak at the Cody Room, Masterton Town Hall, at 1pm on January 17. Entry is free, with queries to Brett Clark (06) 379 9182 or Keitha Roberts (06) 304 8534.