Petone and other communities can't be protected against climate change, says insurer

Petone and other communities can't be protected against climate change, says insurer
Flooding in Udy Street, Petone, in 2016. (Image: Getty)
Greg Hurrell
New Zealand’s largest insurer says coastal communities such as Petone won’t exist in 30 to 50 years as the effects of a changing climate encroach on communities.Bryce Davies, who is the executive manager of corporate relations for IAG NZ, said the Lower Hutt suburb – a former independent borough bounded on three sides by the sea, the Hutt River and the Wellington fault line – faced multiple challenges from rising seas, liquefaction, tsunamis and flooding.Davies spoke at a Sept 20 panel on climate adaptation at the two-da...

More Infrastructure

Quake-prone buildings regulatory shake-up to net $8.2b savings
Infrastructure

Quake-prone buildings regulatory shake-up to net $8.2b savings

Tweaks to quake-prone building rules to give fairer, risk-based system and drive savings.

Staff reporters 29 Sep 2025
Billions in play: Major projects await pre-Christmas go-ahead
Infrastructure

Billions in play: Major projects await pre-Christmas go-ahead

Minister Chris Bishop expects eight more fast-track approval decisions before Christmas.

Garth Bray 26 Sep 2025
Council eyes single buyer for Maungawhau Station super-site
Policy

Council eyes single buyer for Maungawhau Station super-site

The redevelopment site will probably be the biggest in NZ, Wayne Brown said.

Oliver Lewis 26 Sep 2025
How to pay for Lyttelton Port Company expansion
Infrastructure Analysis

How to pay for Lyttelton Port Company expansion

With politicians ruling out asset sales, how will Christchurch pay for port expansion?

Oliver Lewis 25 Sep 2025