Last week we heard from research scientists that sea-level rise could hit parts of New Zealand twice as quickly as expected due to the movement of tectonic plates. Basically, as the land goes up and down – which we know it does – the sea level rise due to climate change has a much bigger and alarming effect than initially thought. So, for example, 100-year floods could be annual in places. What does this mean for the Bay of Plenty? Two things – action to reduce climate change and building climate change resilience should be front and centre of everything we do. No green washing, no procrastination, acting now. This could not be spelled out any bolder for us.

Kat Macmillan, Welcome Bay.