All Timely Updates on Climate Incidents in New Zealand

Tree Cover in New Zealand

From 2001 to 2025, New Zealand lost 1499kha of tree cover, equivalent to a 1.0% net decrease in tree cover since 2001.

Annual Tree Cover Loss by Dominant Driver in New Zealand

In New Zealand from 2001 to 2025, 1499kha of tree cover loss occurred in areas where the dominant drivers of loss resulted in deforestation.

Location of Tree Cover Loss in New Zealand

In New Zealand, the top 5 regions were responsible for 59.2% of all tree cover loss between 2001 and 2025. Wellington had the most tree cover loss at 325.3kha compared to an average of 83.3 kha.

Wellington325.3kha

Bay of Plenty195.4kha

Otago159.3kha

Manawatu-Wanganui108.5kha

Canterbury99.2kha

Components of net change in tree cover in New Zealand

From 2000 to 2020, New Zealand experienced a net change of -108.5 kha (-0.97%) in tree cover.

The loss total is different from annual tree cover loss, as this data was created using a different method and forest definition. For gross or annual loss information, please see the tree cover loss widget.

Disturbance represents areas that experienced both loss and gain between 2000 and 2020

Tree Cover Gain in New Zealand Compared to Other Areas

From 2000 to 2020, New Zealand gained 434.9 kha of tree cover equal to 0.33% of the global total.

Russia37.2Mha

Canada17.0Mha

United States14.0Mha

Brazil8.1Mha

China6.7Mha

Cumulative Fire Alerts In New Zealand Compared to Other Areas

In New Zealand there have been 99 VIIRS fire alerts reported so far in 2023 considering high confidence alerts only. This total is high compared to the total for previous years going back to 2023. The most fires recorded in a year was 2013, with 220.

Weekly Fire Alerts In New Zealand

In New Zealand the peak fire season typically occurs in February. There were 99 VIIRS fire alerts reported between 8 Jan 2023 and 12 Nov 2023 considering high confidence alerts only.

Historical Fire Alerts In New Zealand Compared to Other Areas

All Timely Updates on Climate Incidents in New Zealand

From 2001 to 2025, New Zealand lost 1499kha of tree cover, equivalent to a 1.0% net decrease in tree cover since 2001.

In New Zealand from 2001 to 2025, 1499kha of tree cover loss occurred in areas where the dominant drivers of loss resulted in deforestation.

In New Zealand, the top 5 regions were responsible for 59.2% of all tree cover loss between 2001 and 2025. Wellington had the most tree cover loss at 325.3kha compared to an average of 83.3 kha.

From 2000 to 2020, New Zealand experienced a net change of -108.5 kha (-0.97%) in tree cover.

From 2000 to 2020, New Zealand gained 434.9 kha of tree cover equal to 0.33% of the global total.

In New Zealand there have been 99 VIIRS fire alerts reported so far in 2023 considering high confidence alerts only. This total is high compared to the total for previous years going back to 2023. The most fires recorded in a year was 2013, with 220.

In New Zealand the peak fire season typically occurs in February. There were 99 VIIRS fire alerts reported between 8 Jan 2023 and 12 Nov 2023 considering high confidence alerts only.

Between 8 Jan 2023 and 12 Nov 2023 New Zealand experienced a total of 1,713 VIIRS fire alerts (high confidence).

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latest news.

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All Timely Updates on Climate Incidents in New Zealand

From 2001 to 2025, New Zealand lost 1499kha of tree cover, equivalent to a 1.0% net decrease in tree cover since 2001.

In New Zealand from 2001 to 2025, 1499kha of tree cover loss occurred in areas where the dominant drivers of loss resulted in deforestation.

In New Zealand, the top 5 regions were responsible for 59.2% of all tree cover loss between 2001 and 2025. Wellington had the most tree cover loss at 325.3kha compared to an average of 83.3 kha.

From 2000 to 2020, New Zealand experienced a net change of -108.5 kha (-0.97%) in tree cover.

From 2000 to 2020, New Zealand gained 434.9 kha of tree cover equal to 0.33% of the global total.

In New Zealand there have been 99 VIIRS fire alerts reported so far in 2023 considering high confidence alerts only. This total is high compared to the total for previous years going back to 2023. The most fires recorded in a year was 2013, with 220.

In New Zealand the peak fire season typically occurs in February. There were 99 VIIRS fire alerts reported between 8 Jan 2023 and 12 Nov 2023 considering high confidence alerts only.

Between 8 Jan 2023 and 12 Nov 2023 New Zealand experienced a total of 1,713 VIIRS fire alerts (high confidence).

Read more about New Zealand’s latest news.

Get your customized climate change report.

Read more about New Zealand’s
latest news.