A recent Suncorp-hosted seminar titled Unpacking the National Adaptation Framework aimed to facilitate conversations among insurers, government, businesses and communities about managing the growing risks from climate-related natural hazards.
Climate Change Minister Hon Simon Watts was one of the keynote speakers, and his clear message was that everyone should expect that the way the Government responds after the next extreme weather event will look different to the way it has in the past.
As Auckland continues to grapple with the tail end of the impacts of the 2023 Auckland Anniversary weekend storms, IBANZ took the opportunity to sit down with Auckland City Councillor Richard Hills, who is at the forefront of how councils, governments, and communities are re-thinking climate resilience.
As the focus increasingly shifts to how we avoid repeating the cycle of council and government bailouts, Cr Hills shared his reflections on the principles of the Government’s Natural Adaptation Framework, which combines a National Flood Map with data-driven strategy and an emphasis on transparency and education.
The pillars of the Government’s National Adaptation Framework
The National Adaptation Framework is built on four key pillars:
1. Risk and response information sharing
2. Roles and responsibilities
3. Invest in risk reduction
4. Cost-sharing pre- and post-event
Each of these pillars finds resonance in Cr Hills, offering a blueprint for Auckland’s evolving approach to climate adaptation.
Data: The backbone of resilience
Flood maps aligned with Auckland’s recent events have revealed a sobering truth: the data was available, but there was little awareness of it. Cr Hills acknowledges there is an adjustment period to go through as homeowners come to terms with new and sometimes confronting information about the possible vulnerability of their site. He says that while the information can be a bit jarring at first, it’s essential for long-term resilience.
“The public often only seeks clarity after disaster strikes, yet councils have long held data that could have informed better decisions”.
Cr Hills emphasises the need for data to be easily accessible and transparent. This aligns with the National Framework, which uses robust data and information. Cr Hills believes that making hazard maps and risk assessments publicly digestible is no longer optional; it’s a civic necessity.
Education and empowerment
Education is also critical. The shift from reactive bailouts to proactive mitigation requires a public that is well-informed.
“We need to increase people’s understanding of what is required, and ensure we can focus on communities that are most vulnerable,” he says.
Empowering communities means not only informing them of risks but equipping them with the tools to act, whether through insurance literacy or accessing advice from brokers and banks. This is the essence of the Framework’s first pillar.
Governance and tough conversations
Cr Hills calls for leadership that is willing to make tough calls when needed. That can mean limiting development in vulnerable areas.
“It’s not about stopping growth but steering it into the right places and ensuring we don’t build in risky places.”
This means councils must lead with clarity and courage, setting boundaries that prioritise safety over short-term gains and mitigation where possible to strengthen communities.
Affordability and risk-informed investment
One of the most pressing issues ahead is affordability and access to insurance. As infrastructure expands to protect homes, who pays? Cr Hills suggests models where new developments contribute to future mitigation costs, or where broader community investment is triggered by infrastructure upgrades.
“As the Government has pointed out, it is not sustainable to have a long-term model where government or council bail out impacted residents, but there does need to be a transition phase for currently affected communities, leaving large numbers of people unhoused or stranded comes with huge social costs,” he warns.
This reflects the Framework’s fourth pillar; cost-sharing pre- and post-event. Spending must shift from recovery to resilience, from patching damage to preventing it.
A shift in responsibility
Ultimately, Cr Hills points to a cultural shift: responsibility is moving from institutions to individuals. With that shift comes the need for accessible information, trusted advice, and a shared understanding of risk.
“Education and data are critical to empower people and communities to make good insurance decisions,” he concludes.
The path forward
The journey toward climate resilience is not about retreat but about recalibration, and that has to start with informed decision-making. As we embrace the National Adaptation Framework, one of the most critical tools for residents is going to be access to quality insurance broker advice. Navigating risk, coverage and affordability increasingly requires expert guidance, especially as responsibility shifts from government to individuals. Brokers have a critical role to play in ensuring every homeowner, developer, and policymaker understands their exposure and has the support required to make sound insurance choices.
