Climate Change Wairarapa

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We listened to our community when they said they wanted our council to take more meaningful actions towards mitigating the effects of climate change.
Our Climate Change Advisor, Mélanie Barthe was appointed in September 2019 to write a strategy for South Wairarapa District Council and Carterton District Council outlining what meaningful action we can take to reduce the effects of climate change in their daily council operations.
The Ruamāhanga Strategy was first adopted in 2020 and revised in 2021.

Council Projects

South Wairarapa District Council has committed to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Climate change mitigation means reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change adaptation means adapting to the impacts of climate change such as increased flooding risks, etc. In that respect, South Wairarapa District works on important projects such as:

Climate Change Projections in the Wairarapa

2040*2090*2040**2090**
Max temperature+0.75 – 1.25°C+1.25 – 1.75°C+0.75 – 1.50°C+2.50 – 4.00°C
Minimum temperature+0.50 – 0.75°C+0.75 – 1.25°C+0.50 – 0.75°C+1.50 – 2.50°C
Hot daysUp to +20 days+1 to +30 daysUp to +30 days+5 to +70 days
Heatwave daysUp to +20 daysUp to +30 daysUp to +20 daysUp to +70 days
Rainfall-2% to +4%±4%-2% to +8%±8%
99th percentile
daily rainfall
-1 to +15%+2 to +15%+1 to +15%+3 to +30%
Dry spells+1 to + 12 days-4 to +10 days-1 to +10 days+1 to +12 days
Windy days-5 to +5 days-1 to +6 days+1 to +5 days+2 to +12 days
* RCP4.5 ** RCP8.5
Upper Projection 2040Lower Projection 2040Intermediate Projection 2090Upper Projection 2090
Projected Sea
Level Rise
+0.50m+0.50m+1.00m+1.50m
20402090
Fire hazard+100% to +150%+100% to +150%

Want to find more information?

What can you do?

I am a resident

As a resident, there are many things you can do. A good place to start is to measure your carbon footprint to understand your greenhouse gas emissions. Tools such as FutureFit even gives you personalised actions that can help you reduce your footprint.

I am a farmer

Farmers have a huge role to play in both climate change mitigation and adaptation. He Waka Eke Noa is a five-year programme that will equip farmers and growers with the information, tools and support they need to reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change.

I am a business

As a business, there are many things you can do. A good place to start is to measure your carbon footprint to understand your greenhouse gas emissions. The climate action toolbox can help your business reduces its carbon emissions

Useful information

Climate Change Community Dashboards:


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