Heat hits ecosystem
New Zealand’s coastal waters are getting warmer and that’s not good news for the ecosystem. Niwa said temperatures in November were 1.1C to 1.8C higher than the same time last year. Northern and western parts of both islands have experienced the highest temperatures ever recorded. Niwa meteorologist Ben Noll said ecosystems can’t cope with the warming waters, pushing certain marine creatures past the temperatures they can handle, which can upset the balance.