The Insurance Council of New Zealand (Te Kahui Inihua o Aotearoa) (ICNZ) is supporting new rules that make natural hazard information in Land Information Memoranda (LIMs) clearer, more consistent and easier for New Zealanders to understand.
The new regulations are in place from 17 October 2025 for councils to standardise how hazard information must be summarised and presented in LIMs. It follows the changes made in July 2025 when councils had new obligations when preparing LIMs.
ICNZ chief executive Kris Faafoi said the changes will give property buyers and owners greater confidence when making important decisions about where to live and invest.
“Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions Kiwis make. Having clear, consistent information about the natural hazard risks that affect a property helps people make informed choices and take steps to protect themselves.”
“Understanding your risk is the first step in managing it. These changes mean homeowners can better plan to strengthen, adapt or insure their properties appropriately.”
The new approach will also ensure natural hazard information, including the potential impacts of climate change, is summarised and presented in a user-friendly format across all councils. This greater transparency will help people understand the risks that could affect their property, from flooding and landslides to coastal erosion and earthquakes.
ICNZ said not only would this better prepare property owners, but understanding risks also empowers individuals to take steps to increase their property’s resilience to natural hazard risks and reduce the impacts of natural disasters.
“Insurers support the government’s aim to improve how natural hazard information is shared, ensuring that everyone, from first-home buyers to long-term owners, has access to clear, consistent data that supports resilience and risk reduction,” Mr Faafoi said.