Natural-disaster risk in New Zealand
In New Zealand, the leading natural-disaster exposures are earthquake, tsunami, flooding. The safest city for disasters is Queenstown (safety 77/100). Risk is modelled from real USGS counts of magnitude-4.5+ earthquakes within 300 km since 1980 plus Köppen climate zones and cyclone/subduction geography.
Safest cities in New Zealand from natural disasters
- Queenstown — safety 77/100, main risk earthquake
- Dunedin — safety 76/100, main risk earthquake
- Manukau City — safety 76/100, main risk earthquake
- North Shore — safety 76/100, main risk earthquake
- Wellington — safety 75/100, main risk earthquake
- Auckland — safety 75/100, main risk earthquake
- Hamilton — safety 74/100, main risk earthquake
- Tauranga — safety 72/100, main risk earthquake
FAQ
Is New Zealand safe from natural disasters?
Across 10 cities in New Zealand, the highest average exposure is earthquake (4.2/5). Safest city: Queenstown (safety 77/100).
What natural disasters affect New Zealand?
By modelled average tier: earthquake 4.2/5; tsunami 2.6/5; flooding 2.2/5; wildfire 2.0/5; extreme cold / winter 1.6/5; storms (hurricane/cyclone) 1.0/5; extreme heat 1.0/5; drought 1.0/5.
Which city in New Zealand is safest from natural disasters?
Queenstown, with the lowest combined hazard exposure in our data.