Climate Change Effects Summary - NZ

This map provides an indication of the potential regional impacts of climate change in New Zealand. It is not an attempt to provide a comprehensive summary of all the impacts.

Potential impacts of climate change

(Source: Ministry for the Environment 2013)

The map above indicates the following effects:

Snowlines and glaciers

increased length and area of glaciers
rise in snowline
possible increase in snowfall
possible increase in avalanches

Coastal

sea-level rise
increased storm surge
coastal inundation
increased coastal erosion

Drier northern and eastern parts of North and South Islands

less rainfall
decreased run-off to rivers
increased evaporation
increased drought for already drought-prone areas
increased irrigation demand

Wetter west and south of North and South Islands

increased precipitation
increased intensity in weather events
increased flooding for already flood-prone areas
increased slips
increased soil erosion

Cyclones

increased intensity (leading to increased wind, waves, storm surge and rainfall)

Wind

increased westerly winds in the south, more north easterlies in the north

Natural areas

species distribution changes
changes to/loss of habitat
increased pressure from pests, animals and plants.

Climate change effects by local authority function

Local authority area of responsibility	Asset or activity affected	Climate change influence	Possible effects
Water supply and irrigation	Infrastructure	Reduced rainfall, extreme rainfall events and increased temperature	Reduced security of supply (depending on water source) Contamination of water supply
Wastewater	Infrastructure	Increased rainfall	More intense rainfall (extreme events) will cause more inflow and infiltration into the wastewater network Wet weather overflow events will increase in frequency and volume Longer dry spells will increase the likelihood of blockages and related dry weather overflows
Stormwater	Reticulation Stopbanks	Increased rainfall Sea-level rise	Increased frequency and/or volume of system flooding Increased peak flows in streams and related erosion Groundwater level changes Saltwater intrusion in coastal zones Changing flood plains and greater likelihood of damage to properties and infrastructure
Roading	Road network and associated infrastructure (power, telecommunications, drainage)	Extreme rainfall events, extreme winds, high temperatures	Disruption due to flooding, landslides, fallen trees and lines Direct effects of wind exposure on heavy vehicles
Urban land-use planning/policy development	Management of development in the private sector Expansion of urban areas Infrastructure and communications planning	All	Inappropriate location of urban expansion areas Inadequate or inappropriate infrastructure, costly retrofitting of systems
Land management	Rural land management	Changes in rainfall, wind, and temperature	Enhanced erosion Changes in type/ distribution of pest species Increased fire risk Reduction in water availability for irrigation Changes in appropriate land use
Water management	Management of watercourses/lakes/ wetlands	Changes in rainfall and temperature	More variation in water volumes possible Reduced water quality Sedimentation and weed growth Changes in type/ distribution of pest species
Coastal management	Infrastructure Management of coastal development	Temperature changes leading to sea-level changes Extreme storm events	Coastal erosion and flooding Disruption in roading, communications Loss of private property and community assets Effects on water quality
Civil defence and emergency management	Emergency planning and response, and recovery operations	Extreme events	Greater risks to public safety, and resources needed to manage flood, rural fire, landslip and storm events
Biosecurity	Pest management	Temperature and rainfall changes	Changes in range of pest species
Open space and community facilities management	Planning and management of parks, playing fields and urban open spaces	Temperature and rainfall changes	Changes/reduction in water availability Changes in biodiversity Changes in type/ distribution of pest species Groundwater changes Saltwater intrusion in coastal zones Need for more shelter in urban spaces
Transport	Management of public transport Provision of footpaths, cycleways, etc	Changes in temperatures, wind and rainfall	Changed maintenance needs for public transport (road, rail) infrastructure Disruption due to extreme events
Waste management	Transfer stations and landfills	Changes in rainfall and temperature	Increased surface flooding risk Biosecurity changes Changes in ground water level and leaching
Energy	Transmission lines	Extreme wind, high temperatures	Outages from damaged lines