In recognising the critical importance of adapting to climate change, the New Zealand Government has outlined a framework for enhanced leadership on adaptation that consists of:

• a National Climate Change Risk Assessment (NCCRA), to improve our understanding of the climate risks Aotearoa New Zealand faces
• a National Adaptation Plan that will outline the Government’s approach to improving New Zealand’s resilience to the effects of climate change
• monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan, to ensure accountability.

This document describes the framework and methods to be used for the first NCCRA, which will help to inform priorities for action in the forthcoming National Adaptation Plan by central government.