New Zealand is grappling with a recurring pattern of extreme weather events, leading to a concerning state of 'disaster inertia.' A recent review highlights a lack of progress in learning from past disasters and implementing effective policy reforms, despite growing warnings about increasing exposure to extreme weather. Local authorities, already burdened by infrastructure deficits, struggle to manage the aftermath of each event, often resorting to temporary fixes rather than addressing systemic issues. This reactive approach leaves lives, livelihoods, and properties at risk as climate impacts intensify.