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What’s changing?

Patterns of temperature, rain, wind, and sunshine make up the climate of Aotearoa New Zealand. We have learned to live and thrive with our climate, and tend to take it for granted because we generally know what to expect – even the unexpected.

But the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (mainly from burning fossil fuels for the past 200 years) is changing the climate around the world and in our own country.

The changing climate is affecting us, but it is a two-way street – our actions and activities are also affecting the climate. Many of the things we do every day contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Our future is interconnected with the climate because climate shapes social, cultural, and economic aspects of our lives.

We know that the changing climate will have implications on New Zealand's weather systems, freshwater availability, and our communities' exposure to hazards.

What’s changing in Murihiku Southland?

In Southland, over time, we are likely to experience warmer weather all year round, summers will have more dry days and there will be extended periods of relatively higher temperatures. Average annual rainfall is projected to increase, mostly in winter and spring, and is likely to occur in more intense events. Coastal flooding will increase steadily with increasing incidents of pure tidal flooding even on fine days.

Some other general Southland impacts include an increase the frequency of severe weather, and the size and duration of unprecedented weather events.

Click here for more on the region’s climate change projections.

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