Natural hazards

Drought events are one of New Zealand's most costly natural hazards and have a significant impact on agricultural production.

Taranaki has a number of active fault lines particularly in the Inglewood, Waverley and Oaonui areas as well as off-shore.

Experts generally agree that climate change is affecting New Zealand’s weather patterns. An increase in extreme rainfall is likely as the temperature increases through the 21st century, potentially increasing both the severity and frequency of flooding.

A tsunami is a series of water surges caused when a large volume of water in the sea, or in a lake, is rapidly moved by earthquakes, slips, or volcanic eruptions.

In Taranaki, rainfall is predicted to decrease in summer and increase in winter. Gale and storm force winds from the west are also predicted to increase.

A volcanic eruption of Mt Taranaki (Egmont Volcano) has been assessed as a moderate-very high hazard for the Taranaki region and as one of three regional hazards with national significance.