About
Associate Professor Hamish Rennie serves in the Department of Environmental Management at Lincoln University's Faculty of Environment, Society and Design. He currently holds the position of Head of Department (since 2023) and is a Key Investigator in the Coasts and Catchments Area of the Centre for Land Environment and People. Rennie also serves as a Member of the Severe Weather Recovery Review Panel for the New Zealand Government (2023-2025) and maintains extensive professional engagement with regional councils, iwi, and community organizations.
Professor Rennie's research focuses on geography, environmental planning and management, with particular emphasis on commons management (oceans, freshwater, biodiversity), especially multi-layered commons. His work examines how to empower people and establish formal and informal institutions to minimize resource use conflicts and achieve sustainable resilient livelihoods. As a professional planner, he views planning as a form of social technology or applied geography, with geography providing knowledge on spatial relationships with place. His research has directly shaped coastal policy and law in New Zealand.
Analysis of Rennie's recent publications reveals a strong focus on ecosystem-based management, particularly in marine and coastal environments. His work bridges academic theory with practical application, addressing critical issues like climate change adaptation, resource management conflicts, and the integration of indigenous knowledge systems. A significant portion of his research addresses Aotearoa New Zealand's specific environmental challenges, while maintaining international relevance through comparative studies in the Philippines, Nepal, and other regions.
- 2020 NZ Geographical Society President's Award for Research Supervision
- 2011 NZ Planning Institute Award of Merit (for Lincoln Planning Review)
- New Zealand Planning Institute Distinguished Service Award
- Fellow of the New Zealand Geographical Society
Professor Rennie has supervised numerous graduate students, currently overseeing 8 research students while having completed supervision of dozens of Master's and PhD candidates since 2018. His academic service includes extensive editorial work as Editor-in-Chief of the Lincoln Planning Review, service on multiple editorial boards (Coastal Management, MAST-Maritime Studies, Planning Quarterly), and examination of over 30 theses and dissertations. Rennie actively engages with professional bodies as a member of the New Zealand Planning Institute, NZ Association of Resource Management, New Zealand Geographical Society, Resource Management Law Association, NZ Association for Impact Assessment, and NZ Coastal Society.
Rennie leads significant collaborative projects including the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge and maintains active partnerships through the Waihora Ellesmere Trust and Te Pātaka o Rākaihautu/Banks Peninsula Geopark Trust. His work bridges academic research with practical application through advisory roles with communities like Mangamaunu and as an Expert Planning witness in Environment Court hearings.
