New Zealand government and media disinterested in IPCC report

Most of the NZ media seems absolutely disinterested in the latest IPCC report (understated as always) and the implications for New Zealand.

No directives on climate change

Scientists say a landmark report shows New Zealand is under-prepared for climate change

Radio NZ,

1 April, 2014

The report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says this country can expect floods, droughts, wildfires and storm surges to be more severe and more frequent as the planet warms.

It says adaptation planning in New Zealand is piecemeal, and planning for sea-level rise in particular is often challenged in the courts.

The president of Local Government New Zealand, Lawrence Yule, says Parliament needs to set national directives and timelines for climate change adaptation.

"Without any central government directive," he says, "it is quite difficult for councils to do what effectively might be the right thing for the future but is seen as being too aggressive for the people of the present."

But Climate Change Minister Tim Groser favours setting general guidelines.

"We still think it's better," he says, "to give generalised approaches and let local communities work through that process within their own democratic frameworks."

Mr Groser says central government will also inform ratepayers of the risks of not adapting to climate change.