Auckland Calling

New Zealand could be one of the world’s last havens as climate change fundamentally changes the planet according to the scientist and creator of the Gaia theory James Lovelock, and for this reason, on the back of reports of American eco-migrants making their way here, New Zealand is now a preferred location for the British. The country’s islands, renowned for their temperate climate, clean environment and low population, have often been put forward by greens as potential “lifeboats” for a world suffering serious warming. Lizzy and Mike Larmer-Cottle have moved their family from London to Albany. Britain’s recent climate of summer droughts and warm, wet winters was becoming alarming, said Lizzy. She added: “England was just having more and more flooding — if that continues, half of it is going to be underwater.” Statistics NZ, said more than 18,000 British residents moved here last year alone.