Climate resilience stories
Housing shortages, leaky homes and soaring land costs are forcing New Zealand to rethink design, building methods and quality.
Claims from the November Kaikōura quake are mounting, with insurers and the Earthquake Commission still handling thousands of residential and commercial cases.
Seventeen council projects have made the cut for LGNZ's Excellence Awards, highlighting work that is already improving services, the environment and jobs.
Rural communities could gain jobs and stronger exports if the government’s NZD $90 million irrigation package is backed by equity rather than loans.
Unexpectedly hot water at depth could make Westland a significant clean energy source, with temperatures rivaling volcanic zones despite no volcanoes.
Thousands of coastal homes could become uninsurable as sea levels rise, shifting climate costs on to homeowners and government.
Safer sites and faster project delivery could follow if new technology cuts errors and lifts productivity across New Zealand construction.
A red-zone recovery plan for quake-hit Waimakariri has won New Zealand’s top planning prize after balancing housing, heritage and infrastructure needs.
Wellington’s future growth could be slowed by quake risk and a funding model that makes new housing increasingly unviable, says Property Council Chief Executive Connal Townsend.
Planning reforms will face scrutiny in Wellington, with more than 600 delegates set to quiz parties on housing, growth and resilience.
Urban planners say rising heat, driverless cars and the shared economy are reshaping New Zealand cities and infrastructure.
Nearly 10,000km more waterways will need upgrading as New Zealand seeks to lift swimmable rivers and lakes to 90 per cent by 2040.
