Health Impacts of Climate Change in Aotearoa New Zealand: Legal and policy implications

Lenihan-Ikin, I. et al. (2025) ‘Climate change impacts on health in Aotearoa New Zealand: a scoping review’, New Zealand Medical Journal [Preprint]. 

Alongside mahi at Dixon and Co Lawyers, I am currently doing my PhD where I am looking at the health impacts of climate change on people that work in outdoor manual labour here in Aotearoa New Zealand. For the most part, this research works alongside people in outdoor industries from farming, forestry, construction, roading, conservation, and outdoor recreation to understand the perceptions of these workers on the climate-health impacts, adaptation or coping strategies employed by these workers, and possible solutions moving forward.  

However, the first tranche of this research involved undertaking a scoping review—essentially, a structured and methodological review of existing academic and policy documents—of the health impacts of climate change in Aotearoa New Zealand, which has recently been published by the New Zealand Medical Journal. The research paid particular attention to who (demographic grounds), where (geographic regions) and what activities (e.g. occupations, tasks) are most vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

The purpose of this article is to summarise this research and add some reflections within the wider legislative and policy landscape. All diagrams and pictures included below come from the original article.  

Key Findings

They say a picture speaks a thousand words—but if that’s true, I’m not sure what an infographic containing a thousand words says! Still, if there is one image that best summarises the research results and how the different components fit together, it is the one below. 

The research identified that temperature (heat and cold) and rainfall/flooding are two of the most significant climate change processes, alongside many others including fire, sea level rise and extreme weather events to name a few.

The range of associated health outcomes is broad and includes both direct and indirect impacts, such as:

• Heat-related illnesses and death;

• Enteric diseases;

• Poor mental health;·       

• Access to safe and secure drinking water and food supplies; and

• Access to health care.

As illustrated in the map below, the research found that four key areas across Aotearoa New Zealand are most likely to experience significant health impacts from climate change (and it’s fair to say that most parts of Aotearoa New Zealand fit into one of these categories):

• Coastal regions;

• Large metropolitan areas;

• Rural areas; and

• Regions experiencing socio-economic inequity.

Industries vulnerable to climate change induced health impacts include farming, fisheries and construction.

Conclusion & Policy Reflections

This research reinforces the urgent reality that the health impacts of climate change cannot be ignored. Policy responses must recognise and address intersectional and overlapping risk factors. It is not only a matter of exposure to climate hazards, but also of who is affected and how—including people’s ability to adapt and cope with these challenges.

It is therefore concerning that amendments proposed to New Zealand’s Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 seek to remove explicit reference to climate change as a determinant of health.

At an applied level, one key document included in the review was the National Health Adaptation Plan (HNAP) 2024–2027, which aligns with the wider National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Government Policy Statement on Health 2024–2027. The HNAP aims to strengthen resilience within the health system through a set of defined objectives and focus areas. However, ongoing monitoring of its implementation will be crucial to ensure meaningful outcomes.

Finally, the intersection between climate change and health is now being explored in a legal context through the Climate Change Priority Kaupapa Inquiry currently before the Waitangi Tribunal—an important space for considering how Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations intersect with climate and health policy.