Message to readers

Tēnā koutou katoa

Aotearoa New Zealand is a unique country, with a spectacular variety of landscapes, ecosystems, and native species. But climate change is putting increasing pressure on our natural environment, and along with it our wellbeing, safety, security, economic prosperity and cultural identity. Many communities, iwi and hapū across Aotearoa had first-hand experience of this when cyclones and floods caused widespread damage across the East Coast and Auckland earlier this year. We can no longer take the stability of our environment for granted.

The evidence contained in this report, our third on our atmosphere and climate, highlights the pressures brought by a changing climate. For the first time, the report also considers what might lie ahead for our climate and atmosphere. This represents an important shift in our approach to environmental reporting and it is designed to improve public awareness and understanding of these issues, and support better environmental decision-making.

The report and recent events also highlight the shortcomings, gaps and fragility of our national environmental knowledge system, particularly at a local level. These shortcomings hamper our ability to take decisive action and to understand the likely impact of natural disasters on our environment and communities. In response, the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ, along with our system partners, are embarking on a significant project to reform the foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand’s environmental knowledge system. This is fundamental to developing evidence-based environmental stewardship. Having a reliable evidence base will also help to improve the effectiveness of environmental policy and support individuals, communities, hapū and iwi to achieve aspirations at a local level.

Being an effective environmental steward isn’t just about gathering evidence, but the actions we take based on that evidence. As this report shows, we know enough now to increase our action. While it’s clear there are challenges ahead, we have an opportunity to make a difference to our future by taking greater steps now. We hope this report will provide you with the information you need to take part.

Ngā mihi

James Palmer (Secretary for the Environment) and Mark Sowden (Govenment Statistician)