Utilizing Geospatial Data Science (GIS) for Climate-Resilient Resource Planning in New Zealand's Coastal Regions

Abstract

This study develops and validates an advanced GIS-based spatial modelling framework designed to mitigate the multidimensional impacts of climate change on resource and environmental planning in New Zealand's coastal regions. In the face of accelerating sea-level rise, increased storm-surge frequency, and coastal erosion, the integration of geospatial data science has emerged as an indispensable tool for building climate-resilient communities. The research employs a rigorous Geospatial Data Modelling and Policy Simulation methodology, drawing upon Environmental and Climate Data Analysis (GISC405) principles to operationalize predictive spatial models. Specifically, the study develops simulation models that quantify the physical impacts of projected sea-level rise scenarios on coastal morphology and infrastructure, while simultaneously mapping their socioeconomic ramifications for vulnerable coastal communities. These integrated models are validated through cross-referencing with New Zealand's National Climate Change Risk Assessment (NCCRA) datasets and international benchmarks. The results demonstrate that multi-layered GIS visualisation significantly enhances the quality of planning decisions by making complex spatial trade-offs legible to diverse stakeholders, including iwi (Māori tribal authorities), local government agencies, and resource management practitioners. Furthermore, incorporating indigenous Mātauranga Māori (local knowledge) into GIS layers facilitates a holistic understanding of ecological shifts, ensuring that technical spatial outputs are harmonized with ancestral stewardship values and long-term environmental kaitiakitanga (guardianship) frameworks throughout the analysis. Critically, the framework addresses persistent land-use conflicts arising at the intersection of customary Māori land rights, commercial interests, and ecological imperatives in coastal zones. The study concludes that sophisticated geospatial modelling, grounded in the participatory principles of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), provides a replicable and scalable blueprint for climate-resilient coastal governance across the Pacific Island context.