Summary

Climate change is already impacting freshwaters in Aotearoa New Zealand, and cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, are expected to flourish with continued climate change. Many cyanobacteria species produce toxins that pose a health risk to animals and humans through physical contact, or by consuming them via contaminated water or aquatic foodstuffs. This review assesses the impact climate change will likely have on problematic cyanobacteria in Aotearoa New Zealand and how these changes could impact human health.