An expert on landslides and natural hazards warns much of New Zealand may become “uninsurable” in the future. However, quantifying risk from natural hazards is a fraught business - especially when it comes up against property rights. The storm that triggered a massive slip in Lower Hutt last winter and forced the evacuation of three cliff-top properties was a shock to residents - but not the council. Geographic information scientist Associate Professor Mairead de Roiste from Victoria University said there was no national standard for assessing landslide risk - or for communicating it to the public. “There were some councils in New Zealand that just didn’t want to share that information publicly because they were concerned about a backlash from homeowners in those locations. “There were other councils [that] felt we need to communicate that information generally, because obviously there’s a risk implication.” LIM reports (land information memoranda) were highly technical and could be difficult for lay people to understand, she said. Furthermore, people’s interest in information could depend on their personal circumstances, such as “whether you own a house, versus whether you’re trying to buy a house”. The Government is trying to fix this ad hoc system. The Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Bill will require councils to put natural hazard information on LIMs, including the impact of climate change. Natural hazards expert Associate Professor Martin Brook from the University of Auckland said the bill was “well-meaning”, but many councils would not have the money or the expertise for the enormous task involved in putting it into practice. “Set up a national geotechnical control office with teeth, funding and proper expertise. Get them to do this on a national level and then get them to disseminate the information to various councils.”
