Bay of Plenty farmers and communities now have a down-to-earth working guide to help them adapt to climate change, and survive whatever the future brings.

The resource kit, called ?Adapting to Climate Change in Eastern New Zealand ? A Farmer Perspective?, uses real-life case studies to highlight ways farmers can alter farm practices to better cope with changes in the climate.

It also explores ways in which rural and urban communities might interact for mutual benefit in the face of climate change.

The guide's author, Dr Gavin Kenny, says one of the biggest challenges for the future is working together.

The Sustainable Farming Fund and various agencies, including Environment Bay of Plenty, funded the kit's development. Information for it was drawn from a series of workshops with farmers in 2003 and 2004, and in-depth interviews with selected farmers.

The kit features 12 individual case studies, three from the Bay of Plenty.

According to scientists, the region will face warmer conditions in coming decades with a greater tendency for drier average conditions, but the possibility of wetter average conditions in some areas. There may be more frequent droughts and floods.

The biggest issue for farmers is likely to be security of water supply. They will have to deal with new animal health issues, weeds, pest animals, diseases and types of pasture.

Dr Kenny, who is one of New Zealand's top climate change experts, says climate change will pose many new challenges for farmers.

He says developing on-farm and regional resilience are key, and he adds that there will be a need for both individual action and community interaction aimed at developing positive visions for the future.