Climate study highlights challenges and opportunities

Te Taitokerau communities are already experiencing the impacts of climate change and many are adapting to new challenges, according to a case study released by He Pou a Rangi | The Climate Change Commission.

Ā Te Taitokerau urutau i ngā āhuarangi | Responding to a changing climate in Te Taitokerau/Northland is the latest report released by the commission. The case study reflects the experiences of the Far North and wider Northland region and will directly feed into national advice on climate change.

Far North District Council backs the report findings and, alongside Northland Regional Council and Whangārei District Council, supported the Climate Change Commission visit to the region in March 2025.

The commission looked at infrastructure, the primary sector, tangata whenua and rural communities. Its visit focused on councils’ adaptation planning areas: Hokianga/Whangapē/Herekino and Oakura/Whangaruru in Whangārei District.

Findings showed that communities across Te Taitokerau are already experiencing the impacts of climate change but that many are also doing a lot to adapt. The report recognised that community-level responses come from long-standing knowledge and deep ties with whakapapa and are innovative and forward thinking.

“These communities and businesses aren’t waiting for further impacts to hit. They’re already figuring out responses to meet their needs and aspirations – solutions created and implemented by the people that need them,” says Jo Hendy, Chief Executive of the Climate Change Commission.

The commission was told by people on the ground that “there were opportunities in the changes in climate” such as exploring new crop management practices, developing region-specific solutions to pasture persistence that can withstand climate variability and extreme weather events, energy independence and self-sufficient food systems.

The case study also outlines a need for greater government support for community-led adaptation.

FNDC’s Community Adaptation Programme is happening now. Visit Council’s climate action website and sign up to the climate action newsletter. To find out more and read the case study, visit the Climate Change Commission website.