We are running a pilot project to test the design of fair and scalable process to investigate suitable options for us to adapt to increasing climate disruption in the capital.

The pilot will first focus on one area of the city, with the intention to work in other priority areas once the pilot is completed and evaluated.

We will run the pilot in the Island Bay/Houghton Bay water catchment area (the Paekawakawa and Haewai catchments) which includes the coastal and valley suburbs of Island Bay, Houghton Bay, and Berhampore, as well as the hilltop suburbs of Southgate, Vogeltown, Kingston and Mornington.

This pilot will result in the creation of a Local Climate Adaptation Options Report, outlining suitable place-based options for increasing resilience to climate disruption in the short, medium and long term. It started in July 2025.

The governance structure for the LCAP is designed to create clear, collaborative and meaningful roles for Wellington City Council, mana whenua partners, and the other members of the Pilot Working Group (Greater Wellington Regional Council and Wellington Water), and the Community Panel.

Community Panel members are the important connection between Wellington’s diverse communities and the Local Climate Adaptation Pilot. Their job is to bring local values, views, and lived experience into the process, making sure the planning is based on real local knowledge and reflects the voices of people who live in the pilot area.

The Panel consists of up to 8 members, including:

• A diverse range of local residents from across the pilot area
• Youth members (16 – 24 years old)
• Mana whenua members (via Tākai Here Partnership)

• Meeting 1
• Meeting 2