NZ News

$180 billion of homes sitting on flood-prone land, government report finds

Published

1 year ago

October 8, 2025

A major new report is warning that more than a thousand seaside homes could suffer significant damage from extreme weather by 2060.

And hundreds of thousands of homes worth an estimated $180 billion are located in flood-prone areas, according to Our Marine Environment 2025 from the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ.

The fourth and latest stocktake draws together peer-reviewed research, government reports, mātauranga Māori and official statistics.

The report said climate change and human activity is putting increasing pressure on the oceans and coasts, affecting communities, industries and ecosystems.

Among its findings are that New Zealand’s oceans are warming faster than the global average, marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, the risk of invasive species and marine disease is increasing with climate change, and wetlands, dunes and native vegetation are being degraded.

Environment Ministry chief science advisor Alison Collins told Nine to Noon New Zealand’s oceans were warming at a rate of 34 percent faster than the global average likely because of the country’s position as a small island in the middle of the South Pacific.

“It is likely that it’s to do with changes in ocean circulation and also wind patterns, and we’re seeing something similar around the coast of Australia as well.”

In terms of species impacts, 91 percent of New Zealand’s seabirds and 35 percent of its marine mammals were threatened or at risk, she said.

Warming seas almost opened the door to invasive species with climate change creating conditions for pests, she said.

Coastal homes and infrastructure at increasing risk of damage

The report found that in 2023, about 219,000 homes worth $180b were located in coastal inundation and inland flood zones.

An estimated 1300 homes – worth $900 million at current property prices – are set to experience greater than 20 percent damage in one or more extreme events between 2026 and 2060.

It gives the example of major erosion for Southland’s Bluecliff residents, where between 5 and 30 metres of erosion occurred along the shore of the Waiau River estuarine lagoon after a storm on 21 September 2023.

It points out that thousands of kilometres of roads, water pipes, and buildings worth a combined value of $26.18b were assessed in 2019 as being vulnerable if sea levels rise by 0.6 metres.

Under current climate conditions, about 288 landfills may be exposed to coastal flooding, and this increases to 379 with a sea-level rise of 0.4m, the report said.

It found that over the next 20 years, New Zealanders are expected to build up to 76 percent more seawalls and similar coastal protection structures, in an effort to try and stop erosion and sea level rise.

“We can build some resilience for our coastal communities with seawalls, levees and other engineering options. But these options can have an environmental cost as coastal habitats and ecosystems are trapped between rising seas and built structures,” the report said.

Collins said some of the most exposed areas were in Wellington and Dunedin because land subsidence, high water tables, particularly in Dunedin, and sea level rise.

Sea level rise was variable across the country, she said.

“Some parts of New Zealand are obviously rising due to land uplift which slows down sea level rise, but in other places we are seeing sinking which makes it much worse. Even without land movement sea levels are expected to rise by at least 20 to 30cm by 2050, compared to 2005 levels.

“Once sea levels reached that height, a coastal storm that used to happen perhaps only every 100 years could start happening every year.”

Warming seas affecting industry

The report found that warming seas and ocean acidification are affecting the fisheries and aquaculture industries, which contribute $1.1b to GDP, and support more than 14,000 jobs.

New Zealand’s oceans are warming 34 percent faster than the global average warming rate, due to changes in atmospheric circulation and ocean currents.

Marine heatwaves, which the report finds will become more frequent, intense and long-lasting with climate change, have caused substantial decreases in fish catch and large losses in farmed salmon and mussels.

The report said warmer seas change the migration of fish populations and may reduce the growth rate of flat oysters and blue cod.

While warmer seas might increase certain types of fish – such as snapper and trevally – it is also likely to increase fish and shellfish diseases – such as ‘milky white flesh syndrome’ in snapper.

Increasing sea-surface temperatures, and ocean acidification are likely to increase toxic algal blooms, which accumulate in shellfish and fish and can also make people seriously ill.

Collins said in the west of the North Island spent 88 percent of 2022 in marine heatwave conditions which was putting stress on the marine environment.

A circulation shift, or subtropical front, had moved 120km west, she said.

“And that has massive impacts, that’s like a conveyor belt moving delivery of food and affecting our food webs and our ecosystems quite significantly.”

Culturally important sites under threat

The report also outlined how significant cultural and archaeological sites are vulnerable to climate change, which could affect New Zealand’s cultural identity, connection to the environment and tourism industry.

It said marae and urupā (burial sites) were at risk of damage from extreme weather and that throughout the country, 191 marae are within 1km of the coast. That put cultural identity – through the passing on of knowledge and tikanga – at risk.

Nearly 2000 archaeological sites along the coastal zone are highly vulnerable to erosion from sea-level rise, and 1564 are at risk of flooding from the sea.

Over 120 public conservation sites and parts of 21 walking tracks are vulnerable to erosion, the report found. That includes four Great Walks – the Abel Tasman, Heaphy, Queen Charlotte and Rakiura tracks.

Some experiences for New Zealanders and international visitors could be lost altogether without action on climate change, the report said.

Report aims to make evidence clear – Collins

Collins said the research was about making the evidence clear so people understood what was happening.

“Not just for government, and yes of course it will be feeding into our adaptation work thinking about what we need to be considering as part of the reform of the Resource Management Act, but it’s also to inform communities, iwi, individuals so that we can all work together.

“And I know that climate change can feel huge and distant but this report I suppose is really trying to make sure that we understand what’s at risk – you know things like the Hauraki Gulf, Kaipara, Fiordland, they’re all really important things for us.”

A companion report that was released alongside the technical report uses case studies to give some examples of what was possible, she said.

“For example Kaipara Moana is reducing sediment and planting native species, Fiordland Marine Guardians are protecting biodiversity.”

The report aimed to make something that seemed huge “actionable” by “connecting those global drivers to very local choices,” she said.

Source: RNZ

Latest News

Police say person who fired gun at officers still at large

Published

3 days ago

November 12, 2026

News Staff

Police say a person who fired a gun at officers in Napier is still at large.

Eastern District Commander Superintendent Joel Lamb said Police tried to stop a vehicle in the Pirimai Area at about 10pm on Tuesday.

He said someone in the back seat pointed what was presumed to be a firearm at officers pursuing the vehicle.

“Staff have then heard two distinct gunshots as the firearm was discharged.

“Fortunately, neither of our officers were injured, and the patrol vehicle did not sustain any damage.”

He said hours later, the vehicle was seen travelling north on the Waikato Expressway towards Auckland.

Police seized the vehicle at an address in Manurewa, but they had not found the alleged offender.

Lamb said people who lived at the Manurewa address were engaging with Police.

He said Eastern District and Counties Manukau Police were making enquiries.

“Presenting a firearm at a Police officer is a serious escalation that puts our staff and the wider community at risk. This behaviour is entirely unacceptable.

“We are taking this incident extremely seriously and will be pursuing all lines of enquiry to locate the offender and hold them accountable.”

Police asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Police on 105 or online using the reference number 261111/3764.

Information could also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

rnz

Latest News

New Zealand sides named for RLWC finals

Published

4 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The players tasked with ending Australia’s Rugby League World Cup dominance have been named.

The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns have announced their squads for this Sunday’s World Cup finals in Brisbane.

Both sides are chasing their first titles since 2008, and both are looking to end their opponents run of three crowns in a row.

“Our Kiwi Ferns have been so dominant in years gone by, and we want to bring dominance back to this jersey, so I think it will be a case of who wants it more,” said co-captain Georgia Hale of the impending clash.

The Kiwis get a major boost for the final as they welcome back Ronaldo Mulitalo after he served a one-match ban for a high tackle against Fiji Bati.

Mulitalo replaces Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who moves to the six-man bench, which again includes utility Te Maire Martin, middle forwards Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison plus fullback Keano Kini.

Loose forward Joseph Tapine will make his 30th Test appearance in a familiar pack again, including second-rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Briton Nikora, and props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.

Winger Jamayne Isaako is on the cusp of claiming the New Zealand record for most Test points.

His five goals against Tonga lifted his career points tally to 225 – level with Shaun Johnson – while centre Casey McLean goes into the final with 16 tries in just eight Tests.

Fisher-Harris will again captain the team.

Fullback Ponga said the goal of the group was clear.

“We have high expectations around what we want to achieve, and obviously winning a world Cup is one of them.”

Meanwhile, Ricky Henry has selected a settled side to take on the Jillaroos, led by their lethal centre combination of Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga.

Veteran Apii Nicholls takes the number one jersey, Leianne Tufuga and Mackenzie Wiki on the wings.

Henry has stuck with his halves pairing of Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Raecene McGregor with Alexis Tauaneai, Georgia Hale and Otesa Pule up front.

Rounding out the starting pack is Shaniece Monschau, Kaiyah Atai, and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

“We have been building well throughout the tournament; we understand the Jillaroos side, and will give it our all to make New Zealand proud this weekend,” said Henry.

RLWC Finals:

Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos- 6.10pm

Kiwis vs Kangaroos – 9.35pm

Sunday November 15

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Live blog updates on RNZ

Kiwi Ferns:

1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Stacey Waaka 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Georgia Hale 10. Otesa Pule 11. Shaniece Monschau 12. Kaiyah Atai 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Annessa Biddle 16. Shannon Mato 17. Ivana Lauitiiti.

Reserves: 18. Brooke Anderson 19. Zahara Temara 20. Brianna Clark 21. Abigail Roache 22. Tenika Willison.

Kiwis:

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine (v/c).

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison.

Reserves: 18. Keano Kini, 19. Phoenix Crossland, 20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 21. Scott Sorensen, 22. Leo Thompson.

rnz

Latest News

Opportunities to mitigate multi-million-dollar RNZ budget blowout likely missed – experts

Published

5 days ago

November 10, 2026

News Staff

Multiple opportunities to identify and mitigate a multi-million-dollar budget blowout at RNZ appear have been missed, according to the former executive director at Audit New Zealand.

The public broadcaster on Monday revealed a near $12 million shock financial loss after a litany of financial blunders, which will now lead to sweeping job cuts.

The $11.8m loss is more than 25 times the $470,000 RNZ had expected to lose over the year to June.

CEO Paul Thompson took responsibility for the result, and said internal reports gave an inaccurate picture of the finances, meaning the scale of the loss only became clear in October.

RNZ’s former chief financial officer Hilary Parker resigned unexpectedly in early October.

The board said it would commission an independent review into what went wrong.

Independent contractor Stephen Walker, who left the Audit Office earlier this year, said the size of the loss was surprising, as was the length of time it took to identify it – months after the financial year ended.

“Probably more of a concern is that they had seemingly been unaware that they were running up a significant deficit until they were in the preparation stage of their annual report in October.”

Walker said public entities typically produced monthly financial reports.

An interim audit also took place before the end of the financial year, he said, but if the organisation hadn’t identified significant losses at that stage, the auditor could also be in the dark.

“It seems that there’s a real weakness in forecasting and budgeting that’s occurred here and that the monthly accounts, when they’re produced, either haven’t identified these significant variances against budget or the magnitude of them really hasn’t come to light until right towards the end of the financial year,” Walker said.

“And really at that point, there’s no opportunity for the chief executive, the leadership team to take, and the board to take, any corrective action because the year has effectively been completed.”

Walker said the “significant miss” was difficult to account for given it was more than 10 percent of RNZ’s total funding.

He said based on RNZ’s annual report, financial complexity didn’t appear to be a factor.

“This $11.8m loss isn’t made up of one particular item … it seems to have been contributed to by a number of separate expense lines running over budget. So I don’t think it’s necessarily to do with complexity.”

Among the errors, RNZ wrongly counted $2m from land sales as income in its budget. Staff costs also came in $3.2m over budget, including $1.4m in redundancy payments.

Professor at Auckland University’s business school Norman Wong said based on media reports the issues identified were “significant and troubling”.

“But recognising the sale of land as income in their budget is a basic error that one would have expected to have been caught and corrected well before it got to this point.”

With funding reductions at RNZ over the past two years, Walker expected greater scrutiny of financial results.

“Virtually every public entity has had their annual budget reduced. And so you would expect … the leadership team on a monthly basis and board – I’m not sure how frequently the board will consider the information – but you would expect them to be interrogating the results on a regular basis throughout the year,” he said.

Walker said initiating an independent review was the correct course of action and that he’d want to understand what information the leadership team and the board were regularly receiving.

He said he’d “love to say” surprising financial results were rare, but conceded they occured on a semi-frequent basis during his time leading the Audit Office.

“The benefit of independent scrutiny by the Audit Office – and the auditors providing that support to the Auditor General – [is] that the reporting is fairly presented at the end of the year, whether it’s good, bad or ugly.”

rnz