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Climate change is being felt across all human and natural systems in Aotearoa New Zealand and is projected to worsen this decade as impacts compound and cascade through natural system and sectoral dependencies. The effectiveness of adaptation is constrained by how fast greenhouse gas emissions are reduced globally, the pace of change, the frequency and progression of impacts, and the capacity of our natural, societal and political systems to respond. We explore how these systems and sectors interact with existing and projected climate change stressors by categorising climate change impacts (Trends and Events) and consequential thresholds (Thresholds), and by grouping systems and sectors by types (Typologies). This approach has identified commonalities and differences between the typologies which are illustrated with examples. Critical constraints and opportunities for adaptation have been identified to guide sector adaptation decision-making and for ongoing adaptation progress and effectiveness monitoring. Constraints are found across all sectors, and opportunities exist to address them through modelling and projections, monitoring frameworks, decision tools and measures, governance coordination and integration of the Māori worldview of the relationship between humans and nature. However, limits to adaptation exist and will increase over time unless all sectors and all nations urgently reduce their emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses how the drought experienced in North Island, New Zealand in 2013 was caused by human-enforced climatic changes. Topics discussed include the definition of North island pressure index, model simulations that support claims that human activity-influenced climate change influenced the drought and how anthropogenic greenhouses gases and ozone depletion caused less precipitation in the area.

The article discusses climate change's possible contribution to extreme rainfall that occurred in Golden Bay and Nelson in New Zealand over a two-day period in December 2011. The event is characterized by a combination of high humidity in the lower atmosphere, moderate winds, and a stationary high. It is suggested that the total moisture available for precipitation in the event was higher due to the emission of anthropogenic greenhouse gases.