Recent extreme rainfall events across New Zealand have highlighted the growing importance of effective stormwater management in urban areas, where existing infrastructure is increasingly under pressure. One of the key benefits of green roofs is their ability to significantly reduce and slow stormwater runoff, and many councils are now recognising this value by streamlining resource consent processes.

Yes they can but it will differ from council to council.

• Reduce peak runoff (they slow water down during heavy rain)
• Retain rainfall (Up to 80% of total annual rain water doesn’t enter stormwater infrastructure)
• Delay discharge into council stormwater systems
• Improve water quality (filtering sediments + nutrients)

Because of this, councils often see them as a mitigation measure.

Well designed green roofs can support consent where:

•  Impervious surface limits are tight
•  On-site stormwater attenuation/management is required
•  Downstream flooding is a known issue
•  Low Impact Design (LID / WSUD) is encouraged
•  You’re trying to avoid or reduce the size of detention tanks

The Sempergreen Click ’n Go system uses pre-grown sedum trays that offer nearly full plant cover on installation — they help absorb and retain rainfall immediately once established.

A green roof doesn’t just look beautiful—:

• sustainable,
• low-maintenance,
• encourages biodiversity
• and brings life back to forgotten spaces.

To find out more – see or contact Will directly.

Will Thorne
Managing Director, Greenroofs Ltd & Sempergreen New Zealand
[email protected]
02040195022

Discover how one couple retrofitted their garage roof into a thriving green roof full of colour, bees, and birds.

For 15 years, Gary and Sheryl looked out from their kitchen onto a plain, grey garage roof in Mount Maunganui.

They dreamed of something more inspiring, but weren’t sure if a green roof was possible on an existing building.

After contacting Will at Greenroofs Ltd, they learned about the options available.

A visit to our nursery helped them choose the Sempergreen Click ‘n Go system—a ready-to-install solution with instant greenery, variety, and low maintenance.

To ensure feasibility, Will provided weight specifications.

A structural engineer quickly confirmed the roof could support the load, and best of all, no consents were needed.

The Dawsons’ garage roof is now home to more than 10 plant species, flowering at different times of year and attracting birds, bees, and beneficial insects.

Their visitors constantly comment on the transformation—from dull and grey to lush, vibrant, and alive.

If Gary and Sheryl could easily retrofit a green roof, imagine what’s possible for your home or building.

A green roof doesn’t just look beautiful—:

• sustainable
• low-maintenance
• and brings life back to forgotten spaces.

To find out more – see or contact me directly.

WE COVER NZ WIDE FROM  SMALL RESIDENTIAL TO LARGE COMMERCIAL ROOFS.

Green roofs are no longer just a beautiful addition to urban buildings—they’re a vital part of sustainable design in New Zealand.

As councils tighten stormwater and environmental requirements, green roofs are proving to be a powerful ally in the resource consent process.

Green roofs can attenuate up to 80% of annual rainfall.

By absorbing and slowing the release of rain water, they significantly reduce runoff, ease pressure on stormwater systems, and help protect waterways from pollution and erosion.

In cities like Auckland and Wellington, where infrastructure is under strain, green roofs are a smart, future-ready solution.

Many councils now recognise green roofs as a mitigation measure that can help applicants achieve compliance more easily under stormwater and low impact design (LID) requirements.

Incorporating a green roof into your building design can streamline the consenting process-and even reduce the need for expensive detention tanks or infrastructure upgrades.

Thanks to Greenroofs Ltd’s pre-grown Sempergreen Click ‘n Go trays, installation is fast, simple, and effective.

These modular, pre-vegetated trays arrive fully established with hardy, low-maintenance plant species.

They click into place with ease, making them ideal for both new builds and retrofits—even on lightweight or existing roofs.

Whether you’re a developer looking to meet consent requirements or a home owner wanting to add value and sustainability to your property, our green roof systems offer a practical, proven solution.

Green roofs also provide thermal insulation, reduce urban heat, support biodiversity, and transform dull rooftops into vibrant living spaces.

But most importantly, they’re helping New Zealand build greener, more resilient towns and cities.

Contact Greenroofs Ltd today to learn how easy it is to green your roof—and improve your chances of a smoother resource consent process.