Auckland Council has released a new report and digital map easily visible via the council's online mapping service that shows the areas that are likely to be affected by coastal erosion. 

The report has predicted that by 2050, the sea level at Omaha Beach will be up to the beach front properties. Check out the map here.

A study undertaken in 2006 is the basis for the current coastal erosion rules within the Auckland Unitary Plan. No more up-to-date information related to the potential exposure of Auckland’s coastline to erosion was available. 

To fill this knowledge gap, a programme of research has been undertaken to identify, at a regional level, the area susceptible to coastal instability and/or erosion. 

The study forecasts the areas of Auckland’s coastline that could be affected by coastal erosion and instability under a range of climate change (sea-level rise) scenarios and timeframes.

Stats NZ data shows Auckland has averaged 1.67mm of sea level rise each year since 1899, but the Ministry for the Environment predicts this rate will accelerate if little action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Coastal instability and erosion can present a safety risk, adversely affect property and infrastructure, and damage or destroy cultural and environmental sites.