Today, the Government has released New Zealand’s first National Adaptation Framework, outlining a long-term approach to prepare the country for the growing impacts of climate change.
The Framework establishes a system to make New Zealand more resilient to floods, storms, and other natural hazards while supporting economic growth and managing overall costs. It is built around four pillars:
- Risk and response information sharing
- Roles and responsibilities
- Investment in risk reduction
- Cost-sharing pre- and post-event
A key component is the development of a National Flood Map, expected by 2027, which will provide publicly accessible data on current and future flood risks. The Framework will also amend the Climate Change Response Act requiring new adaptation plans in local government “priority areas,” ensuring communities understand local risks, responses, and planned investment.
With RMA reform underway, changes to local government consenting and planning processes are also expected, and this framework indicates a stronger emphasis on adaptation requirements.
Our Key Concern
A key issue in the National Adaptation Framework is its proposed approach to cost-sharing — which appears to rely heavily on development levies as the primary funding mechanism for adaptation-related infrastructure.
While the intent is to ensure that growth contributes fairly to local resilience, this model risks unfairly shifting the burden of climate adaptation costs onto developers. In doing so, it could discourage much-needed investment at a time when New Zealand is facing both a housing and infrastructure challenge.
Given the significant implications for the property sector, we are deeply concerned that Property Council was not included in the ‘Independent Reference Group’ that helped shape the Framework. Without industry representation at the table, key practical and economic considerations have likely been overlooked.
One of our key advocacy workstreams this year has been the Development Levies reform, where we’ve been actively engaging with Government, since the start of the year. In light of these new adaptation-related cost proposals, this work is now more critical than ever.
We’re advocating for a system that is:
- Financially fair and accountable
- Requires local authorities to clearly list infrastructure assets to be funded through Development Contributions or Levies
- Ensures this list, at minimum, is publicly consulted on, unalterable once confirmed, and monitored by an independent regulator
The Government has delayed the development levies reform, acknowledging how important this issue is for the property sector.
We will continue to press Ministers and Officials to ensure that the Adaptation Framework does not unintentionally derail investment, and instead reinforces the need for a transparent, balanced approach to infrastructure funding across both adaptation and development levies.
If you wish to stay informed about both the National Adaptation Framework and our continued advocacy work on development levies, please contact Bella to join our Environment and Sustainability Taskforce and/or the Development Levies Taskforce.
To read the full National Adaptation Framework released by Government today, check out the Ministry for Environment’s website here.
Author | Bella Leddy
As an Advocacy Advisor, Bella supports the development of policy and advocacy initiatives that reflect the real-world experience of our members.
With a Bachelor of Laws and Politics from Otago University and previous experience as a policy intern at the Department of Internal Affairs, Bella brings both a sharp analytical mind and a genuine passion for public policy. She’s particularly energised by engaging with members to ensure our advocacy is grounded in industry insight and practical solutions.
Extroverted, thoughtful and service-focused, Bella thrives in roles that connect people and ideas. Outside the office, she channels her energy into teaching group fitness classes – including yoga, pilates and spin – and is always up for a good political yarn.
