Flood Victims Will Not Be Left to Suffer Alone, Says Report Chair

As New Zealand grapples with the increasing threat of climate change, a recent report has sparked both debate and reassurance. At the center of the discussion is Matt Whineray, the chair of the panel that authored the contentious climate adaptation report. Despite the criticism that the report could leave flood victims without government support after a transition period of about 20 years, Whineray insists that the government will always play a role in alleviating hardship.

"I think the government will always have a role in alleviating hardship — that's my view and that's the discussion we had at the reference group — but most critically it's not linked to the property value," said Whineray. He emphasized that while the report suggests a shift in policy, it does not mean that flood victims will be left to face the consequences alone, even after a cutoff date.

Whineray noted that councils and central government cannot continue to buy properties at market rates when they are not suitable for rebuilding and are not covered by private insurance. He cited examples from overseas where homes have been rebuilt in the same location multiple times, with the government acting as the default insurer. However, he clarified that this does not mean people should be left on their own, even after the transition period.

"There is an unofficial but powerful assumption that people will be compensated to their full pre-flood value — an expensive proposition for taxpayers, as climate change and poor development decisions increase the number of ruined homes," he said. To mitigate this, Whineray proposed alternative methods of compensation, such as capping the amount people can receive for relocation assistance.

Other experts, such as Canterbury University's Professor Dave Frame, have also weighed in. He acknowledged the complexity of balancing the need for compensation with the risk of moral hazard, where some individuals may take advantage of government funds. However, he also noted that not all those affected are climate skeptics or seeking to avoid responsibility.

Professor Jonathan Boston of Victoria University, who previously led a report on planned exits from high-risk areas, emphasized the need for government assistance to avoid worsening inequality and keep communities functioning. He warned that without support, many people could be left in a state of "property purgatory," unable to afford relocation or purchase a new home.

"It's mind-boggling that society would allow people with kids or serious disabilities to stay in harm's way, as councils withdraw essential services like sewage, water, and road maintenance," Boston said. He argued that the decision to exit high-risk areas cannot be left solely to individual choice, even with better access to risk information.

As the environment ministry works on options to move from the current ad hoc regime to a more financially sustainable model, the details of who will pay and how the transition will be managed remain unclear. However, the consensus is that flood victims will not be left to suffer alone, even as the government gradually steps back from automatic buyouts.