Rate My Professor Hamish Rennie

Hamish Rennie is an Associate Professor of Planning and Environmental Management and Head of the Department of Environmental Management in the Faculty of Environment, Society and Design at Lincoln University, New Zealand. He earned his PhD in Geography and Planning from the University of Waikato, an MA in fisheries geography from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and a BSc (Hons) specializing in coastal geomorphology from the University of Otago. Rennie commenced his professional career as a land-use planner for Christchurch City Council, followed by roles as a consultant planner and in central government. He joined Lincoln University in January 2007 as a Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Management, progressing to Associate Professor in July 2016. He also serves as convenor for the Master of Planning and Master of Environmental Policy and Management programmes.

His research specializations encompass coastal and marine planning, human dimensions of commons, ecosystem-based management, environmental governance, disaster risk reduction, natural resource management, climate change adaptation, sustainability in planning, and marine spatial planning in Aotearoa New Zealand. Additional interests include surfing, coastal and marine tourism, aquaculture, freshwater management, development studies, indigenous coexistence, and rural resilience. Rennie has authored or co-authored over 45 publications, accumulating 546 citations. Key works include 'Broadening environmental governance ontologies to enhance ecosystem-based management in Aotearoa New Zealand' (2022), 'Designing Law and Policy for the Health and Resilience of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems—Lessons From (and for) Aotearoa New Zealand' (2023), 'DEVELOPING REGULATIONS TO AID RECOVERY FROM SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS' (2023), 'Facilitating the ecosystem-based management transition in Aotearoa New Zealand' (2025), and 'Regenerating Small Settlements - One Small Pier at a Time' (2025). He is a member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and the New Zealand Association for Impact Assessment, and received the Distinguished Service Award from the New Zealand Planning Institute in November 2022 for his long-standing contributions to planning education and practice since 2007. Rennie has experience as an expert witness and planning commissioner.