New Zealand’s Natural Hazards Commission is investing $NZ3.6 million ($2.89 million) in research examining earthquake fires, flood risk, coastal cliff collapse and other threats.

The funding is spread across eight three-year university research programs designed to help protect homes, support better decisions about where and how people live, and reduce the cost of natural hazard damage.

“Every dollar we invest in understanding natural hazards and reducing risk today has the potential to save homeowners and the country many times that amount in future,” commission head of research Natalie Balfour said.

The university programs secured funding from the commission’s grant scheme for studies that contribute to strengthening resilience to natural hazards.

NHC invites applications every three years, with up to $NZ4.5 million ($3.6 million) available to support up to 10 projects.

The latest eight programs will start early next year. Subjects include disaster response and recovery challenges, long-term decisions about strengthening homes, adapting to flood risk, and planning development in hazard-prone areas.

The University of Canterbury will examine how fires could spread after a major earthquake and test different ways of responding, using Greater Wellington as a case study.

“The findings will help emergency managers and communities better prepare for complex disasters,” the commission said.

University of Auckland will undertake five research projects, including one on flood risk impacts and another on predicting coastal cliff collapse.

“Thousands of homes around New Zealand sit close to coastal cliffs, but it can be difficult to tell which areas are most at risk of collapse,” the NHC said. “This program will use drones, imaging technology and computer modelling to identify the conditions that make cliffs unstable and improve how coastal cliff hazards are assessed.

“The findings will help homeowners, councils and planners make better decisions about development and risk on clifftop land.”