Ahuriri Estuary walkway one of most vulnerable to sea level rise in NZ

Eighty per cent of the DoC-managed walkways around Ahuriri are at risk of ending up under water due to sea level rise. Photo / Warren Buckland

More than 80 per cent of the walking tracks around the Ahuriri Estuary could end up under water due to sea level rise.

The tracks are just one of a number included in a new report from the Department of Conservation highlighting DoC-maintained tracks which are at risk from rising sea levels.

The report states that 2431m of walking tracks around the Estuary are at risk from sea level rise, which is 80.2 per cent of the tracks in the area.

It makes it one of the most at-risk in the country.

DoC Science Advisor and author of the report Andrew Tait said scientists predict sea levels are likely to rise between 0.5-1m by 2100, increasing the risk of coastal flooding.

"High impact waves could overcome natural and built defences, flooding land and waterways with seawater and silt for extended periods."

He said coastal flooding threatens coastal ecosystems and threatened species, with more than 350 sites where DoC manages ecosystems or specific species are at risk from sea level rise.

As well as this, archaeological sites, campgrounds and bridges are all at risk.

"More than 400 archaeological sites on public conservation land and 300 of DoC's coastal assets including campgrounds and bridges are at risk."

There are nine potentially vulnerable assets at Ahuriri.

He said managing the effects of climate change is an important part of DoC's work.

"The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement provides DoC with policy direction on the management of coastal hazards in relation to climate change."

"The new risk assessment will help to ensure that mitigating sea level rise and coastal flooding risk becomes integral to the way DoC does business."

Cape Kidnappers is also mentioned in the report. Roughly 2.8 per cent of the track, or 66m, is at risk.

The report provides a broad overview for DoC, with the next step being more detailed work at a regional level.

DoC will work with Treaty partners and stakeholders such as community groups and concessionaires to assess risk reduction options and build them into its planning processes.