Whakahura—extreme events and the emergence of climate change

Whakahura was a five-year multidisciplinary programme funded by the Hīkina Whakatutuki Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE).

About this programme

"Whakahura" means to uncover or discover in te reo Māori. This completed 5-year, $10 million programme aimed to enhance understanding of how and why extreme weather has impacted Aotearoa New Zealand throughout the 20th and into the 21st century. The Whakahura Programme has now concluded, and the final synthesis report, detailing key insights and findings, is available, see below.

Synthesis

The Whakahura Programme has produced a robust body of evidence that can be applied to adaptation efforts both nationally and internationally. Key findings include that extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity, with some hazards, like extreme heat, short intense rainfall, and fire risk, changing particularly fast in Aotearoa New Zealand. The research also highlights the varied impacts of extreme weather, including economic, infrastructural, cultural and experiential effects, with Māori communities being disproportionately affected.

Click here to read the full report

Whakahura—extreme events and the emergence of climate change

About this programme

Synthesis

Benefits and impacts

Our research