Adaptation
We can already see the impacts of climate change, both globally and locally. Some changes are gradual, while others are sudden events.
The severe weather event of 2015, which saw 20 Kāpiti homes evacuated, schools and transport links closed, and significant slips and flooding. In addition to a pandemic response, storms have been the main causes of emergency response in Kapiti in the past few years.
In February 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle’s impact in the northern and eastern communities of Aotearoa New Zealand caused $14 billion in damages, with key infrastructure, lifelines impacted with communities isolated and reliant on each other in the aftermath of the flooding.
Likely impacts for Kāpiti
Other than storm impacts, the likely impacts from our changing climate could see us needing to respond to large-scale heat impacts, drought and fires.
Scientific reports identify a range of changes that are likely to impact our district.
Reports that Council refer to for impacts include:
- Climate projections map - Ministry for the Environment
- IPCC Sixth Assessment Report
- Aotearoa New Zealand climate change projections guidance: Interpreting the latest IPCC WG1 report findings
- Climate change projections for west of Wellington’s Tararua and Remutaka Ranges.
Climate change predictions
Increasing average annual temperature
The average annual temperature will increase up to 1°C by 2040, and further increase by up to 2.7°C by 2090.
We will experience more hot days (>25°C) per year, and see fewer frosts.
Increasing rainfall
Rainfall will vary across the district but overall the Kāpiti Coast is expected to have slightly more total rainfall each year.
The amount of rain that falls during extreme rain events will increase.
Occasional drought conditions
While total rainfall and rain
intensity are projected to
increase overall, these changes are not consistent throughout the year. At times, the district may experience drought, and the average amount of water in rivers during times of low flow will decrease.
Stronger and more frequent wind
Stronger and more frequent winds will become a feature of living on the Kāpiti Coast.
Rising sea levels
NIWA and Greater Wellington (GW) tidal gauge records show that mean sea level has already increased since 1953, and further rises are predicted.
Climate change impacts
Changing how and where we live
Transitions to low emissions living will change where and how we live and work.
Natural hazards might threaten residents, businesses, and wāhi tapu sites, while changing weather might disturb food growing and gathering. Any of these disruptions could impact on our social, cultural and economic wellbeing.
Changing biodiversity
Climate change will impact environmental wellbeing. The Kāpiti Coast is already experiencing incursions of non-native plants and insects due to warmer temperatures.
Increasing coastal erosion
Increased rain, winds, storms and sea-level rise will lead to more erosion and flooding along the coast.
Increasing flooding risks
Increases in total rainfall, rainfall intensity, and rising groundwater will mean more flooding risks.
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See the regional interactive maps available on Greater Wellington's (GW's) website.
To adapt to climate change, we need to anticipate and plan for these kinds of impacts and, in some instances, change where and how we live, work and play. We need to build resilience so the impact is felt less in our communities.
Under the Resource Management Act 1991, Council must:
- consider the effects of a changing climate on communities
- take actions to minimise any disruptions from climate change to council activities and services
- support the community to improve its resilience and sustainability in the face of the climate change emergency.
To learn more about what Council is doing, see What we're doing.
Video resources
To learn more about climate change and its impacts for New Zealand, watch the short videos below.
The carbon cycle from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) on Youtube.
Climate change impacts for New Zealand from NIWA on Vimeo.