Storm debris litters the foreshore at East Beach, Waitara, just metres from homes. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
An example of the erosion affecting the North Taranaki coastline Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Home owners hoping for a government bail out in places threatened by the effects of climate change like Whanganui and Dunedin may have to think again.
The Environment Minister Nick Smith says a wholesale compensation packages could send the wrong message and property owners have to be primarily responsible for their own risk.
You can hear more about the challenges of climate change in New Zealand on Insight this Sunday morning.