Is Climate Change Impacting Our Homes?
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Climate change is no longer a distant threat - it's reshaping where and how we live. For many New Zealand homeowners, the impacts are already being felt. From soaring insurance premiums to fluctuating property values, the effects are real and growing.
If you're a homeowner, buyer, or investor, here are three things you need to know - and what you can do to stay ahead.
The warmest 10 years in New Zealand's history were recorded between 2005 and 2022, which is part of the reason for these weather behaviours. They are putting pressure on thousands of coastal homes across New Zealand. According to climate projections, around 70,000 New Zealanders are living in areas at serious risk from flooding and erosion.
While some coastal homes might seem like bargains, they can come with:
Tip: If you're considering buying near the coast, check flood maps, ask about insurance eligibility, and assess the property's long-term viability—not just the price tag.
New builds and retrofits that prioritise climate-resilience are quickly becoming the new norm. Constantly fluctuating temperatures can make materials like wood expand and shrink, lowering a home's strength and causing gaps. Some buyers are actively seeking homes with better insulation, energy efficiency, and structural durability against extreme weather events.
Poor insulation, leaky homes, and outdated materials can worsen the effects of temperature swings and humidity, especially in older properties.
Tip: If you own a home, consider upgrading insulation, ventilation, and cladding. If you're buying, include a building report that identifies environmental vulnerabilities, and be ready to invest in renovations to future-proof your property.
Protecting homes from climate threats isn't just a private responsibility - it requires government and community action. However, research shows that less than one in ten New Zealanders fully understand how climate change could impact property.
Encouraging policymakers to:
Tip: Stay informed and get involved. Ask questions, support local planning efforts, and speak up about the need for better education and policy support around climate resilience.
Real estate in New Zealand is being reshaped by more than just interest rates and market cycles. Climate change is altering everything from insurance eligibility to buyer priorities. In flood-prone areas alone, more than 1,000 homes are now uninsurable, and premiums have doubled in the past decade.
But this shift also creates an opportunity: by taking proactive steps now - through smarter buying, better building, and stronger advocacy - homeowners can be part of building a more resilient and sustainable future.
New Zealand isn't alone in facing these challenges. Across the globe, countries are working together to build a more sustainable future. Here are a few standout examples:
Together, through informed decisions and collective action, we can protect our homes and our communities from the growing risks of climate change.
About the Author: Evelyn Long is the Editor-in-Chief of Renovated Magazine and a writer passionate about sharing real estate tips with aspiring homeowners around the world. She regularly contributes to sites like the National Association of Realtors and Allioo.
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