New Zealand’s glaciers are rapidly melting, its soil is drying and sea levels are rising due to climate change, a new government report confirms.

The Our Atmosphere and Climate report says New Zealand’s glaciers have lost one-quarter of their volume since 1977, the temperature has increased by one degree since 1909 and sea levels have risen 14-22cm at four main ports since 1916.

“We have enough data on measures such as annual average temperature to confidently say New Zealand’s climate is warming,” Government Statistician Liz MacPherson said.

Environment Secretary Vicky Robertson says the most disturbing finding is the unprecedented level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations near Baring Head, close to Wellington, were up 23% from 1972 to last year, in line with global trends.

“While New Zealand is not a large contributor of emissions globally, we are certainly affected locally and we need to act on what that means for us,” Ms Robertson said.

New Zealand accounts for only 0.17% of global gross greenhouse gas emissions, but has the fifth-highest emissions per person.

Its gross greenhouse gas emissions increased 24% from 1990 to 2015, with agriculture responsible for nearly half of emissions through methane and nitrous oxide. Road transport emissions increased 78%.

On a more positive note, the production of ozone-depleting substances dropped 98% from 1986 to 2015.