Experts say the bill will only continue to rise as climate change worsens, unless the nation makes urgent changes to how it funds climate adaptation. Since its election in 2023, the government has removed or reduced most forms of dedicated climate adaptation and resilience funding. The government also dismantled a $6 billion national resilience fund created after Cyclone Gabrielle, arguing resilience spending should instead be assessed through standard Budget processes. Planned adaptation actions quietly discontinuedThe policy framework intended to guide climate adaptation has also been scaled back. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said climate and resilience spending should be assessed through standard Budget processes rather than ring-fenced funds.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 29, 2026 20:27 UTC