-
-
-
-
-
-
South Dunedin
-
-
-
-
South Dunedin is a vibrant and diverse community that tens of thousands call home.
Otago Regional Council has been collecting and analysing information about the natural hazards faced by South Dunedin and the Harbourside area. We’ve been looking at the history of the landscape, the relationship between groundwater and land, sea level rise and other risks to the area.
Otago Regional Council also has a joint South Dunedin Future programme with Dunedin City Council to find ways to respond to climate change and flooding problems in South Dunedin.
Read the latest technical reports relating to the three Proposed Adaptation Futures for South Dunedin, presented to Councillors in June 2026.
- 2026.06.24 Supplementary Council Agenda Part 1
- 2026.06.24 Supplementary Council Agenda Part 2
- 2026.06.24 Supplementary Council Agenda Part 3
Also, see Council decisions and next steps.
More information, including hazards investigated and possible adaptations, can be found on the DCC website
A groundbreaking GNS Science report in 2023, produced in partnership with ORC, sheds new light on the behaviour of groundwater beneath South Dunedin and Harbourside and what this could mean for the future.
The study, based on analysis of data from the ORC-operated groundwater monitoring network in South Dunedin and Harbourside, looks at what causes change to groundwater levels, such as sea level rise, tides, storm surge and rain. This information was used to forecast the behaviour of groundwater into the future.
This research shows what is happening now and forecasts what we could see in the future at 10 cm steps in sea level rise. You can view interactive maps of the current and forecast groundwater levels in South Dunedin and Harbourside on the Natural Hazards Database Portal.
South Dunedin Future programme
South Dunedin Future is a joint programme between Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council to find ways to respond to climate change and flooding problems in South Dunedin. Find out more about the programme here
Interactive South Dunedin Groundwater map
Explore interactive maps from a study by GNS Science, showing present-day behaviour of groundwater in the South Dunedin and Harbourside areas and its response to rainfall, tides and sea level.
Mapping South Dunedin's Risks
Click through the story map to learn more about the challenges South Dunedin faces from climate change, the key risks, social challenges and detailed maps outlining natural hazards and risk assessment layers.
A reclaimed history
Explore the reclaimed history of South Dunedin, its ongoing implications, how we monitor natural hazards in the area.
What lies beneath Dunedin?
ORC prioritizes climate change research in South Dunedin and Harbourside, focusing on sea-level rise impacts. Collaborating with the NZ Sea Rise project and partners like GNS Science and Dunedin City Council, we study groundwater levels, geological data, and past sea levels to predict future changes and inform infrastructure decisions.
Answering questions about South Dunedin
Frequently asked questions about South Dunedin's changing environment
