Hazards

The My Coastal Futures game was developed to help people understand climate change impacts and start thinking about how they might adapt.

In this activity, you will play NIWA's online serious game, Township Flood Challenge.

Developed for teachers, these lessons offer an engaging way to learn about Aotearoa’s weather and climate.

Climate adaptation resources for teachers

Heavy rainfall is one of the most frequent and widespread severe weather hazards to affect New Zealand.

Due to its position in the 'Roaring Forties', a belt of strong winds in the Southern Hemisphere which generally occur between the latitudes of 40 and 49 degrees, as well as its small size, New Zealand is a windy country.

Risks from natural hazards are part of every day life for New Zealanders.

The waters around New Zealand have some of the highest waves in the world, due to Southern Ocean swell and storms in the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean.

New Zealand has low-lying coastal areas that are vulnerable to inundation (flooding) by the sea.

Tsunami is a Japanese word meaning great wave in harbour.

River floods occur when water spills from a river channel onto land that is normally dry, and are one of New Zealand's costliest natural hazards.

Some commonly-asked questions about tornadoes in New Zealand.