Appendices

Adaptation

In human systems, the process of adjusting to actual or expected climate and its effects, to moderate harm or take advantage of beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjusting to actual climate and its effects. Human intervention may help these systems to adjust to expected climate and its effects.

Adaptation options

The wide range of strategies and measures that are available and appropriate for addressing adaptation. They can take the form of structural, institutional, ecological or behavioural actions.

Adaptive capacity

The ability of systems, institutions, humans and other organisms to adjust to potential damage, to take advantage of opportunities or to respond to consequences.

Asset

Something of value, which may be exposed or vulnerable to a hazard or risk. It may be something physical, environmental, cultural or financial and/or economic, and its value may be tangible, intrinsic or spiritual (see Taonga).

Baseline

An initial set of critical observations or data used for comparison or a control.

Biodiversity

The variability among all living organisms on Earth. It includes diversity within species, diversity between species and diversity of an ecosystem. The living organisms may be from any sources, such as terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes they belong to.

Capacity building

The practice of supporting an individual, community, society or organisation to respond to change by enhancing their strengths and attributes, and improving the resources available to them.

Cascading impacts

A series of events where an initial impact produces further impacts that are significantly larger than the first one. In relation to extreme weather events, an extreme hazard causes a sequence of secondary events in natural and human systems that result in major physical, natural, social and/or economic disruption. Cascading impacts are complex and multidimensional, and are associated more with the extent to which the natural and human systems are vulnerable, than with the size of the original hazard.

Climate

Informally, the average weather over a period ranging from months to thousands or millions of years. In more formal terms, a statistical description of the mean and variability of quantities, usually of surface variables such as temperature, precipitation and wind, averaged over a period (typically 30 years, as defined by the World Meteorological Organization).

More broadly, climate is the state, including a statistical description, of the climate system.

Climate change

A change in the state of the climate that can be identified (eg, by using statistical tests) by changes or trends in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades to centuries. Includes natural internal climate processes and external climate forcings such as variations in solar cycles, volcanic eruptions and persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) definition of climate change specifically links it to direct or indirect human causes, as: “a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods”. The UNFCCC thus makes a distinction between climate change attributable to human activities altering the atmospheric composition and climate variability attributable to natural causes.

Climate resilience

The ability to anticipate, prepare for and respond to the impacts of a changing climate, including the impacts that we can anticipate and the impacts of extreme events. It involves planning now for sea-level rise and more frequent flooding. It is also about being ready to respond to extreme events such as forest fires or extreme floods, and to trends in precipitation and temperature that emerge over time such as droughts.

Coastal

Describes either the land near to the sea (eg, ‘coastal communities’) or the part of the marine environment that is strongly influenced by land-based processes (eg, ‘coastal seas’, meaning the part of the sea that is generally shallow and near shore). The landward and seaward limits of the coastal zone are not consistently defined, neither scientifically nor legally. Thus, coastal waters can either be considered as equivalent to territorial waters (extending 12 nautical miles and/or 22.2 km from mean low water), or to the full Exclusive Economic Zone, or to shelf seas, with less than 200 m water depth.

Coastal erosion

The process when the high-tide mark moves closer towards the land due to a net loss of sediment or bedrock from the shoreline. Also known as shoreline retreat.

Co-benefit

A positive effect that a policy or measure aimed at one objective has on another objective, thereby increasing the total benefit to society or the environment.

Consequence

The outcome of an event that may result from a hazard. It can be expressed quantitatively (eg, units of damage or loss, disruption period, monetary value of impacts or environmental effect), by category (eg, high-, medium- or low-level impact) or qualitatively (a description of the impacts).

Alternatively, the outcome of an event that affects objectives.

(the) Crown

Generally, executive government conducted by ministers and their departments. The Crown does not normally include organisations with their own corporate identities, such as state-owned enterprises.

Cultural asset

Material artefacts, non-material items and natural places that have cultural value.

Cultural heritage

Those aspects of the environment that contribute to an understanding and appreciation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s history and cultures. It includes historic sites, structures, places, areas, archaeological sites, sites of significance to Māori (including wāhi tapu) and cultural landscapes.

Disaster

A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society, at any scale, that occurs because hazardous events interact with conditions of exposure, vulnerability and capacity, leading to human, material, economic and/or environmental losses and impacts.

Disaster risk management

Processes for designing, implementing and evaluating strategies, policies and measures to improve understanding of current and future disaster risk, foster disaster risk reduction and transfer, and promote continuous improvement in disaster preparedness, prevention and protection, response and recovery practices. The aim is to increase human security, wellbeing, quality of life and sustainable development.

Displacement

The involuntary movement, individually or collectively, of people from their country or community, notably for reasons of armed conflict, civil unrest or natural or human-made disasters. In the context of this plan, displacement primarily refers to the involuntary movement of individuals or communities in response to climate change impacts.

Distributional impact

The effects of environmental policies (eg, higher transport or energy costs) across households, Māori, businesses, communities and regions. Some groups may pay more or receive fewer benefits from the policies.

Drought

An exceptionally long period of water shortage for existing ecosystems and the human population (due to low rainfall, high temperature and/or wind).

Dry year

An extended period when the energy supply in Aotearoa relies more on natural gas and coal because hydroelectric generation is reduced. This occurs because hydro lakes hold only enough water for a few weeks of winter energy demand if inflows (rainfall and snowmelt) are very low.

Dynamic adaptive pathways planning

A framework that supports climate adaptation decision-making by developing a series of actions over time (pathways). It is based on the idea of making decisions as conditions change, before severe damage occurs, and as existing policies and decisions prove no longer fit for purpose.

Ecosystem

A functional unit consisting of living organisms, their non-living environment and the interactions within and between them. The purpose of the ecosystem defines what components belong to it and where its spatial boundaries lie. Ecosystem boundaries can change over time. Ecosystems are nested within other ecosystems and their scale can range from very small to the entire biosphere. In the current era, most ecosystems either contain people as key organisms or are influenced by the effects of human activities in their environment.

Ecosystem health

A metaphor that describes the condition of an ecosystem, by analogy with human health. The health status of an ecosystem is based not on a standard measurement but on a judgement of its resilience to change, which varies depending on which measures are used and which social aspirations are behind the assessment.

Ecological corridor

An area of habitat connecting wildlife populations that have been separated by human activities or structures.

Ecological integrity

The ability of an ecological system to support and maintain a community of organisms where the composition, diversity and functional organisation of its species is comparable to those of natural habitats within a region.

Emergency management

The process of applying knowledge, measures and practices that are necessary or desirable for the safety of the public or property, and are designed to guard against, prevent, reduce, recover from or overcome any hazard, harm or loss associated with any emergency. Activities include planning, organising, coordinating and implementing those measures, knowledge and practices.

Emissions

In the context of climate change, emissions of greenhouse gases, precursors of greenhouse gases and aerosols caused by human activities. These activities include the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, land use and land-use change, livestock production, fertilisation, waste management and industrial processes.

Equity

The principle of being fair and impartial, often also aligned with ideas of equality and justice. It provides a basis for understanding how the impacts of, and responses to, climate change (including costs and benefits) are distributed in and by society in more or less equal ways. The principle can be applied in understanding who is responsible for climate impacts and policies; how those impacts and policies are distributed across society, generations and gender; and who participates and controls the processes of decision-making.

Erosion

The process in which actions of water, wind or ice wear away land.

Exposure

Being present in a place or setting that could be adversely affected. Those that could be harmed in that environment include people; livelihoods; species or ecosystems; environmental functions, services and resources; infrastructure; and economic, social or cultural assets.

Extreme weather event

An event that is rare at a particular place and time of year. What is ‘extreme weather’ may vary from place to place in an absolute sense. The measure of what is ‘rare’ may also vary but it involves the occurrence of a value of a weather or climate variable above (or below) a threshold value near the upper (or lower) ends of the range of observed values of the variable. In general, an extreme weather event would be as rare as, or rarer than, the 10th or 90th percentile of a probability density function estimated from observations.

When a pattern of extreme weather persists for some time, such as a season, it may be classified as an extreme climate event, especially if it yields an average or total that is itself extreme (eg, high temperature, drought or heavy rainfall over a season).

Fiscal impacts

The implications a policy or event has for government expenditure or revenue.

Flood

An event where the normal boundaries of a stream or other water body overflow, or water builds up over areas that are not normally underwater. Floods can be caused by unusually heavy rain – for example, during storms and cyclones. Floods include river (fluvial) floods, flash floods, urban floods, rain (pluvial) floods, sewer floods, coastal floods and glacial lake outburst floods.

Frequency (of a hazard)

The number or rate of occurrences of hazards, usually over a particular period.

Governance

The governing architecture and processes of interaction and decision-making that exist in and between governments, economic and social institutions.

Governance permeates all aspects of Aotearoa, from Te Tiriti partnership between Māori and the Crown, to the relationship between local government and communities, and from the economy to the built environment and to natural ecosystems.

Greenhouse gas

Gas in the atmosphere, which may have natural or human causes, that absorbs and emits radiation at specific wavelengths within the spectrum of radiation emitted by the Earth’s oceans and land surfaces, by the atmosphere itself and by clouds. This property causes the greenhouse effect.

The main greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere are water vapour, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and ozone. Human-made greenhouse gases include sulphur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons.

Gross domestic product (GDP)

The sum of the gross value that all resident and non-resident producers in the economy added, at purchasers’ prices, to a country or region plus any taxes and minus any subsidies not included in the value of the products in a country or a geographic region for a given period, normally one year. GDP is calculated without deducting for depreciation of fabricated assets or depletion and degradation of natural resources.

Hazard

The potential occurrence of a natural or human-induced physical event or trend that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, as well as damage and loss to property, infrastructure, livelihoods, service provision, ecosystems and environmental resources.

Heatwave

A period of abnormally hot weather often defined with reference to a relative temperature threshold, lasting from two days to months.

Impacts

The consequences of realised risks on natural and human systems, where risks result from the interactions of climate-related hazards (including extreme weather events), exposure and vulnerability. They are generally effects on human lives, livelihoods, health and wellbeing; ecosystems and species; economic, social and cultural assets; services (including ecosystem services); and infrastructure. They can be harmful or beneficial. Also known as consequences or outcomes.

Indigenous knowledge

The understandings, skills and philosophies developed by societies with long histories of interaction with their natural surroundings. For many indigenous peoples, indigenous knowledge informs decision-making about fundamental aspects of life, from day-to-day activities to longer-term actions. This knowledge is integral to cultural complexes, which also include language, systems of classification, resource-use practices, social interactions, values, ritual and spirituality. These distinctive ways of knowing are important facets of the world’s cultural diversity.

Infrastructure

The designed and built set of physical systems, along with their institutional arrangements, that interact with the broader environment to provide services to people and communities that support economic growth, health, quality of life and safety.

Insurance/ reinsurance

A group of financial instruments for sharing and transferring risk among a pool of at-risk households, businesses and/or governments.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

The United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. The IPCC is organised into three working groups and a task force:

• Working Group I (WGI) – physical science basis
• Working Group II (WGII) – impacts, adaptation and vulnerability
• Working Group III (WGIII) – mitigation
• Task Force on national greenhouse gas inventories.

Land use

All of the arrangements, activities and inputs (a set of human actions) that people undertake in a certain type of land cover (eg, forest land, cropland, grassland, wetland and settlements).

Alternatively, the social and economic purposes for which land is managed (eg, grazing, timber extraction, conservation and city dwelling).

Maladaptation

Actions that may lead to increased risk of adverse climate-related outcomes, including increased greenhouse gas emissions, increased vulnerability to climate change and reduced welfare, now or in the future. Maladaptation is usually an unintended consequence.

Managed retreat

The purposeful, coordinated movement of people and assets (eg, buildings and infrastructure) away from risks. This may involve the movement of a person, infrastructure (eg, building or road) or community. It can occur in response to a variety of hazards, such as flood, wildfire or drought.

Māori values and principles

Values and principles that come from Māori views of the world and that Māori use to make sense of, experience and interpret the world. They form the basis for Māori ethics and principles.

Mitigation

In the context of climate change, a human intervention to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases.

Nature-based solutions

Solutions that are inspired and supported by nature and are cost effective, and at the same time provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features (eg, vegetation and water features) and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions. For example, using vegetation (eg, street trees or green roofs) or water elements (eg, rivers or water-treatment facilities) can help reduce heat in urban areas or support stormwater and flood management.

Ocean acidification

A reduction in the pH of the ocean, accompanied by other chemical changes (primarily in the levels of carbonate and bicarbonate ions), over an extended period, typically decades or longer, which is caused primarily by uptake of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, but can also be caused by other chemical additions or subtractions from the ocean. Anthropogenic ocean acidification is the component of pH reduction that is caused by human activity. Anthropogenic Ocean Acidification refers to the component of pH reduction that is caused by human activity (IPCC, 2011, p 37). It is a process in which the pH of the ocean reduces (becomes more acidic) and other chemical changes occur (mainly in the levels of carbonate and bicarbonate ions) over several decades or longer. The main cause is uptake of CO₂ from the atmosphere but other chemical additions or subtractions from the ocean can contribute.

Oranga Marae

Oranga Marae is a programme of support, advice and investment for marae. It gives whānau and hapū advice and support to help develop their marae and achieve their goals. This support may include building projects and activities to revitalise cultural knowledge. A key goal of the programme is to strengthen the ability of marae to pass on their ancestral knowledge of whaikōrero, karanga and local mātauranga, tikanga and kawa to descendants.

Pathway

The evolution of natural and/or human systems over time towards a future state. Pathway concepts range from sets of quantitative and qualitative scenarios or narratives of potential futures to solution-oriented, decision-making processes to achieve desirable social goals. Pathway approaches typically focus on biophysical, techno-economic and/or socio-behavioural changes, and involve various dynamics, goals and participants across different scales.

Place/places

Urban or rural areas, ranging from neighbourhoods to towns and regions. Adaptation must address both the physical elements of a place (eg, homes, buildings, infrastructure and spaces around them) and the social elements (eg, the identity of people and communities, cultural value).

Regenerative agriculture

An approach to land management that recognises how all aspects of agriculture are connected through a network. This differs from a linear view of agriculture as a supply chain. The principles behind regenerative agriculture aim to restore soil and ecosystem health, address inequality and leave our land, waters and climate in better shape for future generations.

Resilience/resilient

The capacity of interconnected social, economic and ecological systems to cope with a hazardous event, trend or disturbance, by responding or reorganising in ways that maintain their essential function, identity and structure. Resilience is a positive attribute when it allows systems to maintain their capacity to adapt, learn and/or transform.

Retrofitting

The process of adding new technology or features to older systems, especially industrial installations and buildings.

Risk

The potential for adverse consequences for human or ecological systems, recognising the diversity of values and objectives associated with such systems. In the context of climate change, risks can arise from potential impacts of climate change as well as human responses to climate change. Adverse consequences may affect human lives, livelihoods, health and wellbeing; economic, social and cultural assets and investments; infrastructure; services (including ecosystem services); and ecosystems and species.

Risk assessment

The scientific estimation of risks, which may be either quantitative or qualitative.

Risk management

The process of making plans, actions, strategies or policies to reduce the likelihood and/or scale of potential adverse consequences, based on assessed or perceived risks.

Sea-level rise

Change to the height of sea levels over time, which may occur globally or locally. Causes may be:

• a change in ocean volume as a result of a change in the mass of water in the ocean (eg, due to melt of glaciers and ice sheets)
• changes in ocean volume as a result of changes in ocean water density (eg, expansion under warmer conditions)
• changes in the shape of the ocean basins and changes in Earth’s gravitational and rotational fields
• local subsidence or uplift of the land.

Storm surge

The temporary increase, at a particular location, in the height of the sea due to extreme meteorological conditions (low atmospheric pressure and/or strong winds). It is the excess in height above the level expected from the tidal variation alone at that time and place.

Stressor

In the context of climate change, an event or trend, often not climate-related, that has an important effect on the system exposed and can increase vulnerability to climate-related risk.

Sustainable/ sustainability

Describes conditions where natural and human systems can persist. Ecosystems continuously function, biodiversity is high, natural resources are recycled and, in the human sector, people successfully apply justice and equity.

Three waters

Drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.

Tipping point

A critical threshold beyond which a system reorganises, often abruptly and/or irreversibly.

Uncertainty

A state of incomplete knowledge that can result from a lack of information or from disagreement about what is known or even knowable. It may occur for many reasons. For example, the data may be imprecise, definitions of concepts or terminology may be ambiguous, understanding of critical processes may be incomplete, or projections of human behaviour may be in doubt.

Urban heat islands

Heat islands are urbanised areas that experience higher temperatures than outlying areas. Structures such as buildings, roads and other infrastructure absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat more than natural landscapes such as forests and water bodies. Urban areas, where these structures are highly concentrated and greenery is limited, become ‘islands’ of higher temperatures relative to outlying areas.

Vulnerability/ vulnerable

Being predisposed or more likely to be adversely affected. Elements that contribute to this concept include sensitivity or susceptibility to harm and lack of capacity to cope and adapt.

Wellbeing

The health, happiness and prosperity of an individual or group. It can cover material wellbeing (eg, income and wealth, jobs and earnings, and housing), health (eg, health status and work–life balance), security (eg, personal security and environmental quality), social relations (eg, social connection, subjective wellbeing, cultural identity and education) and freedom of choice and action (eg, civic engagement and governance).

Whānau Ora

Whānau Ora puts whānau and families in control of the services they need to work together, build on their strengths and achieve their aspirations.

Wilding conifers

Introduced conifers that are spreading across the landscape through natural regeneration. Also known as wilding pines.

Zoonotic disease

A disease that can be naturally transferable from vertebrate animals to humans.

AHL

Animal Health Laboratory

ANZBS

Te Mana o te Taiao – Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy

CCAAP

Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan

CERF

Climate Emergency Response Fund

DIA

Department of Internal Affairs

DOC

Department of Conservation

EQC

Toka Tū Ake EQC

FMA

Financial Markets Authority

FNZ

Fisheries New Zealand

GDP

Gross domestic product

HNAP

Health National Adaptation Plan

HUD

Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development

IPCC

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

IVL

International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy

LIM

Toitū Te Whenua Land Information Memorandum

MBIE

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

MCH

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

MFAT

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

MfE

Ministry for the Environment

MOD

Ministry of Defence

MOE

Ministry of Education

MOH

Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health

MOT

Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport

MPI

Ministry for Primary Industries

MSD

Ministry of Social Development

NEMA

National Emergency Management Agency

NIWA

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research

NPS-IB

National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity

PHEL

Plant Health Environment Laboratory

RBNZ

Reserve Bank of New Zealand

TPK

Te Puni Kōkiri – Ministry of Māori Development

UNFCCC

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

XRB

External Reporting Board

Ara whakamua

The path forward.

Hapori

Community, section of a kinship group, family, society.

Hapū

Kinship group, clan, subtribe.

Iwi

Tribe, large group descended from a common ancestor.

Kaitiaki or kaitiakitanga

Guardian or guardianship, stewardship – for example, of natural resources.

Karanga

Formal call, ceremonial call, welcome call.

Kaupapa Māori

Māori approach, topic, customary practice, institution, agenda, principles, ideology – a philosophical doctrine incorporating the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of Māori society.

Kawa

Ceremony, protocol.

Kāwanatanga

Government, dominion, rule, governorship.

Kura

School, education, learning gathering.

Mahinga kai

Places where traditional food and other natural resources are obtained.

Mana

Prestige, authority, control, power, influence, status, spiritual power, charisma.

Mana motuhake

Self-determination.

Mana whenua

Power from and/or authority over land or territory.

Marae

Courtyard – the open area in front of the wharenui (meeting house) where formal greetings and discussions take place. Often also used to include the complex of buildings around the marae.

Marau ā-kura

Ministry of Education term referring to a living, breathing curriculum. Marau ā-kura reflects the expectations and aspirations of the whānau, hapū and iwi.

Mātauranga (Māori)

Māori knowledge systems and worldviews, including traditional concepts.

Mātauranga-a-iwi

Knowledge with an iwi-specific base.

Mauri

Life principle, life force, vital essence, special nature, a material symbol of a life principle, source of emotions – the essential quality and vitality of a being or entity. Also used for a physical object, individual, ecosystem or social group in which this essence is located.

Noa

Free from tapu, ordinary, unrestricted.

Papakaīnga

Original home, home base, village, communal Māori land.

Papatūānuku

Earth, earth mother and wife of Ranginui – all living things originate from Papatūānuku and Ranginui in Māori mythology.

Pou

Support, supporter, stalwart, mentor, symbol of support, metaphoric post – a person, group, iwi, gathering or object that strongly supports a cause or is a territorial symbol (such as a mountain or landmark) representing that support.

Rangatiratanga

Chieftainship, right to exercise authority, chiefly authority, ownership, leadership of a social group.

Ranginui

Atua (God)of the sky and husband of Papatūānuku – all living things originate from Papatūānuku and Ranginui in Māori mythology.

Rongoā crops

Medicinal plants.

Tāne mahuta

Atua (God) of the forests and birds and one of the children of Ranginui and Papatūānuku.

Tangaroa

Atua (God) of the sea and fish. One of the offspring of Ranginui and Papatūānuku.

Tangata whenua

The people of the land, local indigenous people. Māori are tangata whenua of the land on which they whakapapa back to.

Taonga/taonga Māori

Treasure, anything prized – applied to anything considered to be of value, including socially or culturally valuable objects, resources, phenomena, ideas and techniques.

Tapu

Sacred, prohibited, restricted, set apart.

Te ao Māori

The Māori world.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Te Tiriti

The Treaty of Waitangi. Note: While these terms are used interchangeably, the national adaptation plan acknowledges that the English version and te reo Māori translation are separate documents and differ in a number of respects.

Tikanga

Custom, practice, correct protocol – the customary system of values and practices that have developed over time and are deeply embedded in the social context.

Urupā

Burial ground.

Wāhi tapu

Sacred site – a place subject to long-term ritual restrictions on access or use, such as a burial ground, a battle site or a place where tapu objects were placed.

Wānanga

Conference, forum, seminar.

Whaikōrero

Oratory, formal speech-making.

Whakapapa

Genealogy, genealogical table, lineage, descent.

Whakataukī

Proverb, significant saying.

Whānau

Family, extended family, family connection.

Whenua (Māori)

Māori land. There are three types of whenua Māori: Māori freehold land, Māori customary land and general land owned by Māori.