In an article published yesterday by Centrist, journalist Ian Wishart accuses RNZ of misleading the public by omitting historical temperature data that contradicts its claims of unprecedented heatwaves linked to climate change.
RNZ reporter Eloise Gibson, citing climate scientist Luke Harrington, claimed Hamilton experienced its hottest 10-day streak on record in early 2025, averaging 28.63°C—surpassing previous highs in 2018, 2019, and 1998.
Wishart presents historical newspaper records showing Hamilton experienced a much hotter and longer heatwave in 1934-35, with a 10-day average of 32.66°C and a continuous 63-day period of temperatures exceeding 27°C. This significantly surpasses the heatwaves recorded in the climate change era.
RNZ is accused of ignoring or suppressing this historical data, with Gibson and Harrington choosing not to amend the story even when confronted with contradictory evidence.
Wishart contends that RNZ and Harrington have focused on maintaining a “broader messaging” about climate change rather than ensuring factual accuracy, reflecting bias in their climate reporting, favouring alarmist narratives over objective analysis.
Read the full article at Centrist