Cascade of effects of climate change and their implications for human systems create challenges for those making decisions about adaptation at multiple scales and across diverse sectors. The cascade of effects are often evident after climate events, e.g., in coastal areas effects cascade to and from the insurance and finance sectors at multiple scales, which raise inter-dependency issues that must be addressed. To gain insights into the implications of climate change for adaptation decision making in New Zealand, we undertook a thematic analysis of stakeholder interviews and workshops. We give a snapshot of the many cascading impacts that emerged across multiple sectors and at different scales and their implications for New Zealand. Examples include; protection of land uses from flooding; supply chains for kiwifruit production; pest management; water and infrastructure. Implications include; who pays for ongoing protection and for changed land use; what is the climate coping range for adaptation to supply chains; are there costs limitations for pest management and for providing services to urban settlements. It highlights the need for stakeholders to develop linked-up approaches to adaptation planning that consider upstream and downstream decision implications.