A new political campaign has begun calling for a full national assessment of the risks posed by climate change and economic meltdown.
The appeal for the cross-party assessment was launched in Dunedin on Friday afternoon to a crowd of about 150 people.
The campaign is backed by 100 prominent New Zealanders, including Dames Anne Salmond and Fiona Kidman, and Sir Alan Mark.
One of the organisers, poet Brian Turner, says the world is witnessing much implosion, breakdown and deterioration and this is negatively affecting New Zealanders.
Mr Turner says the threats to New Zealand's security require political parties to rise above their usual bickering for a united response.
