The Māori Climate Commissioner says the heatwave that burnt Australia and is now over New Zealand is a grim view of our climate change future.

Donna Awatere Huata says without immediate leadership from politicians and industry the country will not adapt fast enough for the economy or society.

She says setting a target of being carbon neutral by 2050 is not a solution but an abdication of responsibility.

Her warning comes as Local Government New Zealand released a report saying a 1.5 metre rise in sea level would cost councils $8 billion to replace exposed infrastructure such as water facilities, roads, buildings, green space and landfills.

That report has been slated as too conservative by Water New Zealand, which says it fails to take into account the effect of increased salinity levels in aquifers, which can affect both freshwater supplies and wastewater and sewage disposal.
 

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