Rising seas could hit $20 billion of homes
The National Government is gambling with New Zealanders futures by not preparing now for rising seas, which MPs were
told threatens up to $20 billion worth of New Zealand homes, the Green Party said today.
Talking at a select committee hearing today, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright estimated
it could cost up to $20 billion to replace buildings within 150 cm of spring high tides, which could be affected by
sea-level rise.
In her November 2015 report, “Preparing New Zealand for rising seas”, Parliament’s environmental watchdog recommended
the Government establish a working group to assess and prepare for the economic and fiscal implications of sea level
rise. This is a recommendation the National Government has thus far rejected.
“The National Government is refusing to face reality and the real costs of rising seas and an unstable climate. It needs
to start preparing for the cost of protecting and replacing people’s homes, infrastructure and businesses that will be
damaged by rising seas,” said Green Party environment spokesperson Eugenie Sage.
“Finance Minister Bill English has simply dismissed talk of sea level rise as ‘speculative’ and ignored the
Commissioner’s advice to start planning for the big fiscal and economic costs of rising seas.
“The National Government’s climate denial is going to cost New Zealand enormously in the long run. It’s irresponsible
for the Government to ignore sea level rise, in the hope that might make it go away.
“New Zealanders expect their government to be preparing for long-term problems, but right now the National Government is
choosing to kick this $20 billion can down the road,” Ms Sage said.