A house just outside Riwaka, Tasman. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Rillstone
The government says it will develop a National Flood Map to show where flooding is likely to happen due to climate change.
It is be part of New Zealand's first National Adaptation Framework, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.
Watts said work is already underway on the map, expected to be completed by 2027.
He said it will show where flooding risks are now, and in the future, and the government was seeking modelling expertise to develop it.
"We'll make the map readily available, to make it easy for anyone to look up and understand their risks.
"We want the best minds in modelling and technology, nationally and internationally, to help us tackle this. The Ministry for the Environment will today release a Request for Information inviting input from external organisations to support the development of the map," Watts said.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watt. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The National Adaptation Framework included four pillars and 16 actions designed to ensure people were prepared for the effects of climate change.
The pillars include: risk and response information sharing, roles and responsibilities, investment in risk reduction, and cost-sharing pre-and post-event.
The government will also be introducing legislation to require adaptation plans from local councils in the highest priority areas.
The Framework also said the government will focus local authorities on core services, including managing natural hazard risk, and regulating to ensure councils "weigh up" the costs and benefits of adaptation options for their communities".
"We have seen in recent years just how devastating floods can be, and we need to make sure our need to make sure our highest risks are being addressed."
It said the expected costs from natural hazards like floods and storms will "be shared across society and over time".
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