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New Zealanders do not have confidence in the country’s ability to manage climate risks, according to the latest climate change poll from AMI, State and NZI.
Just 27% of New Zealanders say they are confident the country can reduce climate impacts, compared with 42% who are not, making this the fifth year in a row that more people are pessimistic than optimistic about how the country is tracking on this issue.
Phil Gibson, Chief Executive AMI, State, and NZI warns: “It is clear we cannot continue as we are. New Zealand must take stronger action to reduce the impacts of climate hazards.”
Rising climate risks driving insurance pressures
Now in its ninth year, the 2026 AMI, State, and NZI climate poll shows most New Zealanders expect that climate hazards will worsen. Reflecting the growth in weather events reported in the most recent Wild Weather Tracker (one storm every eight days), New Zealanders expect more frequent and extreme floods (92%), storms (90%) and coastal inundation from sea-level rise (91%).
Awareness of growing risk is also shaping perceptions of insurance
69% of survey respondents say the growing number and rising cost of natural disasters is driving premium increases. And they are feeling the impact, with 80% saying home and contents insurance is becoming less affordable and 50% worrying they may no longer be able to afford their home insurance.
Phil Gibson says: “New Zealanders see the link between the growing risk and their insurance. Without meaningful action to reduce that risk, their ability to afford or even obtain insurance will reduce. As a country, from government to individuals, we know we can’t allow that to happen.
“Fewer people with insurance simply means greater economic and social harm, and a greater call on the Government and taxpayers when the next disaster strikes.”
The survey also reveals the tension at the heart of how insurers respond to a growing risk
61% of New Zealanders agree that insurers should raise premiums for homes and businesses that face more risk, while only 20% are prepared to pay more to subsidise the cost of insurance for people who live in high-risk locations.
At the same time, 74% want insurers to focus on keeping people insured and for New Zealanders to have the right amount of insurance (67%). A third (36%) want insurers to stop supporting customers in locations where the risk is too great.
Time for a coordinated national approach
Phil Gibson says: “The findings of this year’s poll reinforce the messages in our recent report, A long-term approach to natural hazard risk reduction, which called for a more intentional, coherent and coordinated approach to
risk reduction.”
“The challenge we face is not insurmountable and requires a clear strategy and senior political leadership to drive the change needed so that councils, businesses and households can get on and reduce the climate risks they face.”
The poll also highlights that responsibility for reducing climate impacts is broadly shared and that unfortunately no one is doing a good job at it. New Zealanders see the Government as needing to take a leading role, with 58% saying it is most responsible for taking action.
“IAG remains committed to working alongside the Government to reset New Zealand’s focus on risk and help create greater economic and social resilience.”
