Case studies
Case study: Kawatiri | Westport
Ā Kawatiri urutau i ngā āhuarangi | Responding to a changing climate in Westport
26 May 2026
About this case study
This case study is based on kōrero with people in Westport and its surrounding areas in September 2025.
When we visited Westport in the Buller District, it was to try and better understand how climate change affects people, businesses and communities currently, how they’re responding today, and how they’re preparing for an uncertain future.
We met with a dozen groups from across Westport and its surrounding areas: iwi, farmers, business, local residents, regional and district councils, community organisations and conservation staff.
This case study sets out what we saw and heard on our trip: the challenges, the responses, and what would most help as the town moves into the future.
We have produced this case study in two formats: a document and as a shorter, scrollable multimedia version.
Details & links
Ā Kawatiri urutau i ngā āhuarangi Responding to a changing climate in Westport
978-0-473-78420-1 (Print); 978-0-473-78419-5 (Online)
This online document has been updated to provide clarity around the presentation of climate projections that appeared in the first print run of this case study. The changes are to:
- text on page 22 'About climate projections'.
- footnote vii on page 22
- presentation of data in the table on page 23 (numbers remain unchanged).
Aerial view of the Buller Bridge crossing the Buller River, Westport. Photo / AG Images
Palmerston Street, Westport, at dawn. Photo / AG Images