The Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) today welcome Local Government New Zealand’s (LGNZ’s) report into sea-level
rise around the country, saying that the billions of dollars of local government assets identified in the report as at
risk from sea-level rise doesn’t even tell half the story.
"This report should have everyone sitting up and listening," said Tim Grafton, ICNZ Chief Executive. "It has identified
that over $5 billion of local government assets are at risk from a one metre sea-level rise, but we believe the full
cost of exposure to central government and private sector property will be in the tens of billions of dollars."
"LGNZ has done everyone a service by putting the issue of adaptation to climate change fairly and squarely on the agenda
for discussion by all," said Grafton. "This is not just an issue for local government; central government has a key role
to play too and ultimately carries the economic, social and political risk if adapting to sea-level rise is not well
managed."
"Every dollar invested to reduce and adapt to risk now will save many more dollars in future post-disaster losses and
help avoid social dislocation."
ENDS