54% think storm damage will get worse

54% (equivalent to around 2,091,000 adults) believe that damage from severe storms will increase in the future.

A Horizon Research survey, conducted in the public interest, also finds:

48% (1,867,000 adults) think severe storms are becoming more frequent.

45% (1,755,000 adults) say New Zealand is not doing enough to reduce damage from future bad weather, and

42% (1,639,000 adults) think climate change is making severe storms more frequent.

Property damage and insurance fears

The survey finds people are concerned about future property damage and their ability to get property insurance.

8% say the properties they own or use have already been affected by a severe storm, and 33% fear they may not be able to get insurance on the property they own or use in the future.

While 45% overall say New Zealand is not doing enough to reduce damage from future bad weather, this rises to 50% in Northland and 69% in Nelson/ Tasman/ Marlborough where storm damage has been severe in the past few months.

Effect of climate change

42% believe climate change is making severe storms more frequent, 18% believe it is not.

Those aged 55+ most concerned

Older respondents have more concerns about storms and their effects on New Zealand in the future.

Methodology

Horizon Research conducted the survey as part of its public-interest research programme, to help make sure New Zealanders' views are heard on major issues.

Research method

An online survey of adults living in New Zealand aged 18 and older.

Before answering questions respondents were told: Respondents were told: The country has suffered several severe weather related events during the past few months. We'd like your thoughts on what's been happening - and what could happen...

Sample sources

Members of two nationwide Horizon Research panels and a third-party panel (used for source diversity).

Fieldwork dates

20 to 27 February 2026

Sample size

1,034 adults.

Weighting

The total sample is weighted on age, ethnicity, gender, region, personal income and Party vote 2023 to match the New Zealand adult population.

Maximum predicted margin of error

±3% at the 95% confidence level.

Population estimates in the report

These are based on the Stats NZ Census 2023 population of 3,865,235 people aged 18 or more. All population numbers are to the nearest thousand.

Further results are available from Horizon by emailing manager@horizonresearch.co.nz

Results of other published survey results are available at Horizon's website.