The New Zealand government has unveiled its first National Adaptation Framework, establishing a coordinated approach to address the country’s growing exposure to climate-related risks.
The Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ) has described the framework as a foundational measure for enhancing climate resilience and ensuring continued access to insurance for New Zealanders.
ICNZ chief executive Kris Faafoi said the framework clarifies how central and local government, the private sector, and communities will work together to manage climate risks.
“The government’s focus on clear roles and responsibilities, better information on natural hazard risks, and investment in risk reduction are all steps in the right direction,” he said.
He pointed to the impact of recent severe weather events, such as those in the North Island in early 2023, as evidence of the need for practical action.
“The sooner New Zealand moves from talking about adaptation to acting on it, the better protected our communities will be,” Faafoi said.
A key element of the framework is the requirement for local councils to develop 30-year adaptation plans for areas most vulnerable to flooding and coastal hazards. These plans will set out proposed actions, associated costs, and funding strategies.
Faafoi noted that while planning is important, timely implementation is critical for communities already experiencing repeated losses.
“Adaptation needs to be accelerated. Some vulnerable communities are already facing repeated losses, and they can’t afford to wait five years for plans and longer still for adaptation projects to get underway,” he said.
He also called for prompt finalisation of rules, funding models, and cost-sharing arrangements to enable councils to act.
Faafoi stressed the need for broad political consensus to ensure adaptation policies are sustained beyond electoral cycles.
“The challenges of climate change won’t wait for electoral cycles. What’s needed now is enduring broad-based political support so that adaptation work continues with certainty, no matter who is in government,” he said.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts said the framework is structured around four pillars:
One of the framework’s major initiatives is the development of a National Flood Map, intended to provide the public with accessible information about current and future flood risks. The initial version of the map is expected to be available by 2027.
Watts said: “We want the best minds in modelling and technology, nationally and internationally, to help us tackle this.”
Legislation will also be introduced to clarify the responsibilities of local government, particularly in high-priority areas.
“The new adaptation plans will help people understand what the risks are, how this will be managed, and what investment will happen in their area, so people know what to expect,” Watts said.
The insurance sector has signalled its willingness to collaborate with government and local authorities as the framework is implemented.
Faafoi said: “Our goal is a New Zealand where communities are protected, risks are reduced, and insurance remains accessible. The framework is a good start. However, the real test will be in how quickly we can translate policy into action.”
