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Expected health impacts of climate change in Aotearoa New Zealand
Part 1: Food and Water
Aotearoa New Zealand is a country that ranges across latitude zones, has prevailing westerly winds, is completely surrounded by ocean and has a large mountain chain affecting east-bound weather systems. With a climate that varies from the subtropical to subantarctic, the country is in a unique position to experience a great number of health impacts from climate change.
Food security and nutrition
With the increase in global food prices, a great number of the locally produced and imported foods that form the staple of Kiwi diets are being affected.
With the increase in global food prices, a great number of the locally produced and imported foods that form the staple of Kiwi diets are being affected. The severe weather events of 2023 in Aotearoa have impacted locally produced food sources, with heavy rainfall resulting in flooded and destroyed crops, fields, and orchards as well as the livelihoods of the growers and farmers.
As a result, it is likely that some groups will be unable to afford nutritious foods further compromising their nutritional outcomes.
Disease
Heavy rainfall impacts not only the growing of crops; it can also lead to contamination of drinking water, recreational water, and water-based food sources. Water processing plants have difficulty with high volumes of water from unseasonable and consistently above-average rainfall leading to the potential for contamination of faecal pathogens from humans and animals.
Rāhui (temporary ban or prohibition) of sources of kaimoana (seafood) have been an effective public health measure in recent years, and signs highlighting areas for no swimming, fishing or sourcing shellfish are often present at beaches and boat ramps around the country.
There are also public health warnings available through the websites for Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other organisations including local councils.
Growth of bacteria, fungi and other pathogens in higher temperatures is also a concern. When water- or food-borne they can contribute towards gastroenterological diseases like giardia and salmonella (see part two for increase in vector-borne diseases). In areas that will experience dry conditions, household water supply will be impacted and there is potential for growth in hygiene-related illness and disease.
Check out part two for the impact of climate change on vector, zoonotic, and allergy-related diseases.