Bayfield High School, Macandrew Bay School and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori school are expected to be affected by a rise of just 20cm, according to data compiled by climate resilience research organisation Urban Intelligence.
Waitaki Boys’ High School, in Oamaru, is also expected to be affected by the rise, which could happen within 30 years, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The progress report, which came out in August, flagged risks across New Zealand and concluded there was significant work ahead to enable the country to adapt to climate change, and that there was a need especially for a funding mechanism.
"This means we can understand the ‘so what?’ of changes in sea-level rise and then, most importantly, figure out what to do to prepare our communities," Dr Logan said.
The data reveals that a rise of 60cm will affect many more schools, including St Clair School, Queen’s High School, Musselburgh School, Tahuna Normal School, King’s High School and Bathgate School. Port Chalmers School would also be affected.
Another report, due out this week from the Helen Clark Foundation and engineering consultants WSP, highlights the looming crisis of properties being uninsurable due to flooding.
Helen Clark Foundation deputy director and report author Kali Mercier called for a central government decision on how to compensate people who are forced to move because of climate change.
"Many houses ... will gradually become uninsurable as flood hazards increase, too — probably within the next 20 to 25 years. Houses that can’t get insurance will lose their value ... It’s important that money is found from somewhere pretty quickly to help buy out the properties that are most at risk of flooding, and that can’t be protected in any other way."
South Dunedin Community Network operations manager Kirsten Gibson also called for funding.
She said youth were an integral part of the community and "their homes and their schools bear the brunt of rising water".
"The impacts of sea-level rise are complex. However, it is clear that our communities need to be provided with wider support in terms of an effective framework and significant funding to enable planning for effective responses," Ms Gibson said.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts said the government was developing an adaptation framework that would provide "an enduring national 00approach" to climate adaptation, including clarity on how costs are shared.
"It will focus on the areas where people live and work and the infrastructure that serves them, including schools and hospitals."
He stressed that local government, as well as central government, had a role to play.
The Dunedin City Council learned earlier this year that its request to the Treasury for $132.5million to help with South Dunedin’s climate adaptation planning had been declined.
The funds would have enabled the council to start buying the most at-risk properties.
Schools were contacted for comment but spokespeople were unavailable.
