Photo: Kaipara District Council / Supplied
A new stocktake from the Ministry for the Environment has found floods are among the most frequent and damaging natural hazards New Zealand faces, but the risk of wildfires is expected to increase throughout the rest of the century.
The triennial 'state of the environment' report, released in conjunction with Stats NZ, collates data on the state of our land, air, freshwater, marine habitats, and atmosphere and climate.
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense.
Warmer and drier weather is predicted for the North Island, and wetter weather for the South.
Meanwhile invasive species are spreading and threatening biodiversity, and contaminated drinking water poses public health risks.
The Ministry's chief executive James Palmer speaks to Kathryn.
