Human activities are having a discernible effect on the occurrence and characteristics of extreme weather events across Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). As this influence grows, it needs to be documented in order to monitor the attributable losses and damages, to evaluate the effectiveness of adaptation measures, and eventually to confirm the ultimate effectiveness of efforts to reduce emissions.

Here we present the first draft of an atlas documenting how anthropogenic climate change is affecting current extreme weather hazard across NZ. The basic format is of national maps, with various layers running from very basic regional summaries, to more detailed descriptions, to full lists of evidence, to relevant maps of vulnerability. We describe how this product has been developed, how it is intended to be used, and experience in using it as a communication tool.