You’ve definitely got to choose something designed for coastal conditions. Our old plaster-style finish didn’t cope at all—it cracked and let moisture in. When we went through the reclad process, we switched to a system with a proper cavity and a much tougher exterior that’s actually rated for high wind and salt exposure. It’s made a huge difference. The place feels more solid now, and we’re not on edge every time a storm comes through.
When I was researching, I found it helpful to read about how different reclad systems are designed for NZ’s coastal zones. This page gave me a good overview of what’s involved: peakybuilders.co.nz/reclad-leaky-home
