New Zealanders overwhelmingly back early action to reduce risks from climate-related events, according to a survey commissioned by the Insurance Council of New Zealand.
The survey found 87% of respondents favour proactive measures to protect communities from natural disasters such as flooding, landslips, and sea-level rise, rather than responding after disasters occur.
“Kiwis overwhelmingly agree it’s better to act before disaster strikes to protect communities, rather than pick up the pieces afterwards,” said Kris Faafoi, chief executive of the Insurance Council of New Zealand. “It’s a no brainer, really.”
The findings come as New Zealand faces increasing vulnerability to natural hazards, with 71% of survey participants agreeing that natural disasters are likely to become more frequent and severe due to climate-related events.
Faafoi cited modelling by Earth Sciences showing major cyclones could bring up to 35% more rainfall to New Zealand by the end of the century, significantly increasing flood risks for vulnerable communities.
“The recent severe weather across the top of the North Island, along with 2023’s Auckland Anniversary weekend flooding, and Cyclone Gabrielle, are stark reminders of the devastating impact natural disasters can have,” Faafoi said. “We know more frequent and severe events are likely in the future.”
The survey revealed that 61% of respondents believe the government should lead efforts to protect communities from climate change, while 65% accept that insurance premiums may need to rise to reflect growing climate risks.
However, concerns emerged about current efforts. Some 44% of respondents believe New Zealand is not investing enough to protect communities from natural hazards, compared with 35% who disagreed.
Land-use controls also drew mixed responses, with 43% believing there are strong controls in place, while 39% disagreed, highlighting public concern about development in high-risk areas.
Severe storms in January across parts of the North Island caused widespread flooding and landslides, prompting criticism that adaptation funding and planning have been insufficient, leaving some hazard-reduction work delayed or halted.
National flood data, released in late 2025 by Earth Sciences New Zealand (NIWA) shows that more than a third of the population in some regions are at risk from inland flooding, illustrating the scale of exposure as climate change increases rainfall intensity and flood risk nationwide, RNZ reported. Experts warn that without stronger planning and investment, climate impacts are likely to intensify.
Climate trends in the wider region, including extreme heat events from Australia, indicate broader shifts in climate patterns that interact with local hazards, even as individual disaster types differ. Munich Re reported that 2025 natural disaster losses globally were near long-term averages and that climate change continues to shape the frequency and severity of events.
“These results underline the need for greater certainty around the rules and tools to help communities reduce their exposure to natural hazard risks,” Faafoi said.
He emphasised that New Zealand’s land-use decisions must change, calling the government’s National Adaptation Framework an important start, while stressing the urgency of turning intent into action.
“Kiwis value the protection insurance provides from unexpected and unwanted events. But keeping insurance accessible requires us, led by government, to step up, and reduce the underlying risk. That includes investing in resilient infrastructure like flood protection and avoiding building in high-risk areas. Despite that, there’s concern current efforts are falling short,” Faafoi said.
He noted that every dollar invested in adaptation brings significant long-term economic and social benefits, adding that acting now could avoid far higher costs from future disasters while supporting the long-term accessibility of insurance.
