A storm hit New Zealand every eight days on average in the last year, causing claims to the country's largest insurer to more than triple.
By Kate Newton of RNZ
IAG's Wild Weather Tracker showed there were 46 storms between March 2025 and the end of February this year.
The company said an increasing number of New Zealanders were aware of the risks of climate change-related events, were taking steps to protect their properties - and wanted more investment in resilience.
An increasing number of severe weather events were now happening in spring and summer, IAG said - suggesting a shift in overall climate patterns.
Overall, there were more than 33,000 storm-related claims - covering rain, flood, wind and other damage.
The most damaging event was the October 2025 storm in Southland, where ferocious winds toppled trees and power lines, leaving many homes without power for days.
State of emergency declared for the region and residents warned again to leave low lying areas. (Source: 1News)
More than 5000 people lodged claims with AMI, State and NZI - the three insurance brands underwritten by IAG.
A nationwide survey commissioned alongside the tracker showed growing awareness and levels of preparation for severe weather.
The number of respondents who had taken steps to protect their homes against natural hazards had doubled since the 2022 survey, from 40 to 805.
Almost 60% said they had experienced storm-related anxiety.
IAG climate spokesperson Bryce Davies said the country was now experiencing storms far more often, and with greater severity, than in the past.
Over 15 years of data, storms - which the tracker defines as a damaging weather event driven by strong winds or intense rainfall - had jumped from about one a month to three or four a month.
Awareness among ordinary New Zealanders was growing, Davies said.
"They're worried about this. 75% of New Zealanders want to see more investment [in managing the risk].
"We, as a country, have spent a lot of our past responding to events... We've not had as much focus as we've need to on reducing the risk upfront."
There was a mismatch between the current level of concern and the national response to the problem, he said.
"At the moment it feels very ad hoc, it feels very fragmented, and it doens't feel like there's a coherent system that we have as a country for managing and reducing our natural hazard risk."
Insurance Council chief executive Kris Faafoi told RNZ earlier this week there need to be greater urgency from the government over how climate adaptation would be funded.
Davies said people were looking for a "systemic response".
"It's about making sure we're focused on the real hotspots, where we're enabling councils to do what they need to do - [that] the planning laws are there, the funding's there, the guidance is there - there's a whole range of things we need to put in place."
IAG wanted to offer insurance to as many people in New Zealand, for as long as possible.
Having a coherent response to climate-related hazards "makes our job a hell of a lot easier", he said.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including more weather damage emerges in Wellington, and charges laid after a girl’s body is found in a car boot. (Source: 1News)
SHARE ME