Report warns New Zealanders over hot weather risk

The increasingly hot weather, with the threat of climate change, poses serious risk to New Zealanders, it has been suggested.

Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter is urging Kiwis to plan for the spike in temperatures.

“Although it is great to enjoy the outdoors, getting too hot is a serious risk that will happen more in our future,” Genter said. “Our health will be impacted by climate change, and we need to ensure we are all ready.

“We need to plan for anticipated weather like hotter days now,” she added.

The minister highlighted that the number of days where temperature exceeds 25 degrees Celsius is expected to increase between 40% and 100% by 2040 and from 40-300% by 2090.

In line with this, new heat health plan guidelines have been launched, aiming to assist service providers and councils in preparing plans and with predictions of weather variations. It is expected to be integrated with existing emergency response plans and includes the four ‘Rs’ of emergency management: reduction, readiness, response and recovery.

Other aspects included in the plan, as outlined by Genter, include:

• Appropriate responses for vulnerable populations in heatwaves;
• Keeping buildings cool and shaded;
• Long-term actions to reduce heat impacts such as urban planning, developing green spaces and reducing carbon emissions;
• Staff and client safety in hot weather;
• Providing training for staff on explaining the risks of high heat to clients; and
• Incorporating heat events into communication strategies and business continuity service plans.