New Zealand's Oceans Warming 34% Faster, Putting $180B in Homes at Flood Risk

According to a new report released on October 8th, 2025, New Zealand's marine environment is facing significant challenges due to the accelerating impacts of climate change. The report, titled "Our Marine Environment 2025," reveals that the country's oceans are warming 34% faster than the global average.

This rapid warming is leading to a range of concerning developments. By 2050, some regions are expected to see a 20-30 cm rise in sea levels, which could cause coastal storms that currently occur once a century to happen annually. In total, the report estimates that $180 billion worth of housing is located in coastal inundation and inland flood zones, putting these properties at risk.

Beyond the threat to coastal communities, the changing marine environment is also impacting New Zealand's ecosystems and industries. The Subtropical Front, a crucial boundary between cold and warm ocean waters, has shifted 120 km westward, driven by warming waters. This shift will have "huge impacts" on marine life, food webs, and economically important species like corals, sponges, kelp, and fish.

The report also highlights the growing frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves, which have been linked to mass die-offs of sea sponges, southern bull kelp, and even penguin populations in recent years. These changes pose significant risks to New Zealand's $1.1 billion fishing and aquaculture industries.

While the government is working to expand monitoring and research into the marine environment, the report notes that more comprehensive understanding is needed to fully address the complex interactions between climate change, oceans, severe weather, and ecosystems.