Fidelity Life has introduced a temporary premium relief initiative for policyholders in Taranaki who are experiencing financial hardship due to the ongoing drought.
Eligible customers can apply for a waiver of their insurance premiums for up to three months, with the option of extending it for an additional three months. Coverage will remain in place throughout the relief period.
Bronwyn Kirwan (pictured), Fidelity Life’s chief commercial officer, acknowledged the financial pressure many in the region are facing due to prolonged dry conditions.
“As Taranaki deals with its driest conditions in over 50 years, we want to show our support for the struggles the community is facing. Our premium relief offer is one way we can help take some of the pressure off an already challenging time for our customers in the region,” she said.
Customers seeking assistance are encouraged to reach out to their financial adviser or contact Fidelity Life directly at [email protected].
The drought in Taranaki is part of a wider pattern of changing climate conditions in New Zealand. According to data from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), 2024 ranked among the country’s warmest years on record.
NIWA’s temperature analysis, based on a seven-station dataset tracking national temperatures since 1909, recorded an annual average of 13.25°C to 0.51°C higher than the 1991-2020 baseline.
Scientists have underscored the importance of long-term adaptation strategies in response to New Zealand’s changing climate.
Dr Nick Cradock-Henry, principal scientist at GNS Science, pointed to the uneven distribution of warming effects and shifting rainfall patterns as key concerns for future planning.
“Enhancing resilience and accelerating adaptation action to safeguard lives and livelihoods will be an essential part of New Zealand’s response planning, going forward, regardless of how 2025 unfolds,” he said.
Dr James Renwick, a physical geography professor at Victoria University of Wellington, highlighted the significance of consistent climate monitoring and data collection.
“Ongoing measurement of what’s happening on the ground is crucial to understanding how our climate is changing and how we adapt,” he said.
Meanwhile, a University of Canterbury research project – conducted in collaboration with Fire and Emergency New Zealand – has examined the role of hedgerows and shelterbelts in influencing wildfire behaviour.
The study, focused on Canterbury, aims to provide insights into fire risk reduction strategies for rural areas.
Project lead George Hamilton, whose interest in the topic was shaped by personal experience with a wildfire, spearheaded the research, which involved three months of mapping hedgerows and assessing their impact on fire spread.
The research identified pine hedgerows as a significant fire hazard due to their high flammability, while native species with lower flammability properties were found to be more effective in mitigating fire risks.
Hamilton suggested that increasing the distance between hedgerows and buildings could further reduce wildfire exposure in rural communities.
