National adaptation plan

The Ministry for the Environment is working on a national adaptation plan (NAP) to help Aotearoa New Zealand minimise damage from the future impacts of climate change. Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is contributing to the NAP, with a focus on increasing the resilience to climate change of our homes, buildings and places.

About the national adaptation plan

As the climate changes, an increasing number of homes, buildings and places are at risk of becoming damaged, destroyed or less liveable. Culture, cultural heritage and associated mātauranga are also at risk.

The NAP will help New Zealand minimise damage from the changing climate. It is the first step in a long-term strategy of how we’ll adapt to the irreversible impacts of climate change, bringing together in one place the Government’s current efforts and proposed future work to help build New Zealand’s climate resilience.

The NAP sets out an initial six-year work programme to help all sectors and communities prepare and adapt to the impacts of climate change

The Climate Change Commission will monitor the implementation of the NAP.

The plan is expected to be published in August 2022.

The NAP responds to risks identified in the National Climate Change Risk Assessment, including those relating to buildings, Māori wellbeing and cultural heritage.

See the National Climate Change Risk Assessment(external link)

See more about the national adaptation plan on the Ministry for the Environment’s website(external link).

Key objectives for homes, building and places

HUD, along with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, is contributing to the homes, buildings and places chapter in the plan.

The proposed objectives for homes, buildings and places are:

  • homes and buildings are climate resilient and meet social and cultural needs
  • new and existing towns and cities are planned and managed to minimise risks to communities from climate change
  • Māori connections to whenua and places of cultural value are strengthened through partnerships
  • threats to cultural heritage from climate change are understood, and the impacts are minimised.

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