Natural hazards, climate change and sea level rise : development strategies for low-lying coastal land in New Zealand : proactive or reactive

Abstract

Policy 26 of The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 requires New Zealand’s central and local government to provide where appropriate for the protection, restoration or enhancement of natural defences that protect coastal land uses from coastal hazards. This includes sites of significant biodiversity, cultural or historic heritage and geological value. With 65% of its inhabitants living within five kilometres of the sea, the country’s well-being remains vulnerable to coastal hazard events including flooding, land instability, tsunami and coastal inundation caused by tidal surges exacerbated by rising sea levels. This paper will research and compare aspects of climate adaptation policies for two such municipal authorities, the Auckland city and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, as outlined in the natural hazard section of their respective Municipal Planning documents. The former is the largest city within New Zealand, the latter a northern coastal district made up of coastal residential properties and rural farmland. Both jurisdictions share significant challenges from sea level rise bordering low lying coastal land.