The Brighton Observatory of Environment and Economics

08/06/2026

3 more sleeps left until our next speakers event - get your FREE hot ticket and hot chocolate for Thursday night’s session…
Unless of course you want to pay too much for house insurance??
This time the subject is how climate change will change premiums for people across THE WHOLE CITY, when it comes to flood inundating….
Follow the link in the event to book your free spot (just for admin purposes)

31/05/2026

Great to see a little jump up in folks interested in what we do... please come and find out on Thursday 11th June 2026, from 7pm.

4 knowledgeable speakers, talking about how climate change is going to affect risks to property and communities and what that could mean for the cost of YOUR insurance...

Can you afford NOT to come along?? It's free to book a spot and refreshments, plus Q&A, will be happening!
See you there...

17/01/2026

So, looking to the future in 2026 - we have some dates for your diary - Sun 15th February 2026 (let's hope there is some) another University of Canterbury led walk, this time at t'other end of the Coastal peninsula at Southshore Spit... more about that in another post (event)...

PLUS, 2 more speakers events - coming up...

End of June - focusing on a current topic - INSURANCE! What is a coastal risk rating? What new products are there for customers in areas that are adapting?...
and
Early August - HOUSES and ASSETS - fixed and financial. What happens if your house just needs to be relocated? What if its not worth it?

As with previous events, ALL are WELCOME, but please sign up to be kept informed via www.boee.nz - so that we can make sure you are updated when the programme is out!

BOEE understands the impact of the effects of climate change on our economy, people, environment, biodiversity, and reputation is one of the greatest threats we face. Paradoxically, successful adaptation to those changes represent one of our greatest opportunities

12/01/2026

Happy New Year! We are looking forward to having you along for more events in 2026...
But before we get into that, just cast your mind back to 31st July 2025 and the fascinating session we had about Community Adaptation - hearing from local partners about how they are handling this WITH communities in Lyttelton and nearby areas; Hurunui Council with Amberley Beach residents and the challenges across Canterbury with ECan.
If you want a refresh (or for those that couldn't make it) - please find the links here to the main presentations and the Q&A that happened afterwards.

Slides, content, presentations information used at the events.

10/11/2025

How’s about a little wander up the beach on Sunday to lift the spirits and blow the cobwebs away?… Meet at Eastwood reserve (84 Aston Drive) at 9.30am on Sunday 16th November for a free guided walk through our dunes and beach at Waimairi, thinking about how it all works and fits together.
University of Canterbury with help from BOEE.
Please follow the eventbrite link in the event to book.

31/07/2025

We're looking forward to seeing you at our event tonight at St. Faiths New Brighton 7.30pm on climate change adaptation. It's not too late to join and listen to an interesting line up of speakers.

https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/community-adaptation-in-canterbury-nz-what-why-how-tickets-1451163181139?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawL36-5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgK1MzhVm8YInqOTuLCGH-ky589QwEEyepzLVDIH8lC3KEsnLqJBQmhrZa-I_aem_wr6mr_TJfsEHau4nVFzqvg

13/07/2025

Community Adaptation in Canterbury (NZ): What, Why, How?

Kia ora e te whānau! 🌱🌊

BOEE is thrilled to bring you another event in our Climate Adaptation Speaker Series — and you’re invited!

📍 Community Adaptation in Canterbury – What, Why, How
🎤 Hear from people working on the ground to help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.
👥 Real examples. Local voices. Honest kōrero.

WHEN: Thursday, July 31 · 7:30 - 10pm NZST. Doors at 7pm
WHERE: Te Waka Aroha St Faiths (The Stone Church), 46-50 Hawke Street, New Brighton, Christchurch, New Zealand, Canterbury 8081

These events are part of The Observatory’s wider mahi talking with communities across Aotearoa about their future in a changing climate. Come along to hear inspiring examples of adaptation in action and engage directly with the people making it happen.

🎟️ Tickets are FREE but seats are limited — and our last event sold out, so don’t wait!

👉 Grab your ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/community-adaptation-in-canterbury-nz-what-why-how-tickets-1451163181139?aff=oddtdtcreator

💬 Be there in person to:
✅ Ask your own questions
✅ Listen to what others have to say
☕ Enjoy delicious vegan hot chocolate and chat afterwards.

We’re looking forward to seeing you there for what promises to be a thought-provoking and heart-warming evening. 💚

See less

Climate change in NZ: extreme weather, sea-level rise: are Canterbury communities adapting, and how are local government handling it?

26/04/2025

We had a lovely day pottering by the river as part of River Day with Green Lab and CCC rangers.
Here’s some of the participants testing the different water samples, learning about the water cycle and checking out the critters in our local waterways…