The Guardian reports that New Zealand’s roughly 3,000 glaciers face projected losses of 69% to 100% of their volume by 2100 under a high climate scenario. The assessment offers a wide range even under its low scenario, projecting a very likely decline of 14% to 86%. It also reports that glacier volume fell by 26 cubic kilometres between 1997 and 2023. WE PNW has not independently verified these findings.
The Guardian says the Our Atmosphere and Climate 2026 assessment, released Wednesday, is a three-yearly update produced by Mcert and Stats NZ. It reports that New Zealand’s annual average temperature is 1.36°C higher than when records began in 1909. Seven of the 10 warmest years in the record occurred during the past decade, according to the report. WE PNW has not independently verified these findings.
The Guardian also reports that carbon dioxide levels in New Zealand’s atmosphere are up 30% from the start of monitoring in 1972. Methane concentrations rose slightly in 2025, reaching their highest level on record, the publication says. The assessment projects that heatwaves are very likely to become more frequent, longer and more intense across the country. WE PNW has not independently verified these findings.
