Latest news with #EmergencyManagementBill
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Govt ‘asking a lot' of councils
Steve Walker. PHOTO: ODT FILES At least two Dunedin councillors are not impressed the government is looking to load more costs on to councils through civil defence reforms. Implementing new requirements, updating emergency management plans and engaging with iwi Māori and communities disproportionately affected by disasters are expected to have a four-year cost of about $82.8million. Local Government New Zealand said the government planned to get councils to cover the bill. Cr Steve Walker was one person to observe this was "yet another example in the continuing trend of loading more costs and responsibilities on to councils and expecting ratepayers to pick up the tab". Cr Mandy Mayhem has often been part of community responses north of Dunedin, such as providing food when motorists are stranded. "We've got good people here," she said. "I think the government is asking a lot." Mandy Mayhem. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Cr Mayhem suggested it was unfair to saddle councils with extra costs that would have to be covered by increasing rates. "The government has to stop punishing councils." A Cabinet paper said proposed changes should make the emergency management system stronger by clarifying roles and obligations. In particular, there would be clarity about who was in control during emergencies and accountability at the local level, the paper said. Objectives included enabling a higher minimum standard of emergency management, minimising disruption to essential services and strengthening the participation of communities and iwi Māori in emergency management. Local Government New Zealand chief executive Susan Freeman-Greene said imposition of compliance requirements would come with no additional funding. Councils would have to increase rates to cover the extra costs, she said. "Like the government, councils want to keep rates down," Ms Freeman-Greene said. "But rates are the only way they can cover these kinds of costs imposed by central government." The government intends to introduce and pass the Emergency Management Bill during this term of Parliament.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Community Access Media Alliance Signs Historic Agreement To Strengthen Emergency Communications
Press Release – Community Access Media Alliance The MOU establishes a shared commitment to providing timely, accurate, and accessible emergency information to the public, particularly during national crises or life-threatening events. The Community Access Media Alliance (CAMA) has signed a landmark agreement to strengthen Aotearoa's emergency communication systems. This agreement comes at a time when climate change and legislative reform are reshaping the nation's approach to disaster resilience. At a ceremony held yesterday, April 14 2025 at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) offices in Wellington, CAMA signed the Broadcast Media Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) alongside Radio New Zealand (RNZ), Television New Zealand (TVNZ), Whakaata Māori, Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori (Iwi Radio Network) and the Radio Broadcasters Association (RBA). The MOU establishes a shared commitment to providing timely, accurate, and accessible emergency information to the public, particularly during national crises or life-threatening events. The agreement comes as public consultation is underway to shape the Emergency Management Bill. The Bill's discussion document identifies clear communication and meaningful engagement with communities, especially Māori, disabled people, and ethnic groups, as essential to an effective emergency system. Radio Hawke's Bay Station Manager and CAMA Deputy Chair Kelly Reid says the MOU formalises Community Access Media's role as a trusted, frontline provider of that information. 'We saw the power of Community Access Media during Cyclone Gabrielle, where Radio Hawke's Bay became a vital connector for people cut off from national networks. This agreement recognises that local media isn't just a nice-to-have, it's critical infrastructure in a crisis.' Reid adds that in times of crisis, it's vital that communities can access consistent, culturally responsive messaging that reaches people where they are. 'This MOU gives us a seat at the table and the opportunity to co-create smarter, more equitable emergency communication systems.' CAMA Chair Phil Grey says the MOU is a critical step in embedding risk reduction, equity, and community inclusion at the heart of emergency planning and response. 'The future of emergency management is local, inclusive, and proactive, and that's exactly what Community Access Media delivers. We're embedded in our communities. We're trusted. Our content-makers speak the languages, understand the cultural context, and have the agility to respond fast when it matters most.' As part of the agreement, MOU partners have endorsed 10 guiding principles, including the recognition of broadcasters as 'essential services' and critical conduits for emergency communication.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Community Access Media Alliance Signs Historic Agreement To Strengthen Emergency Communications
The Community Access Media Alliance (CAMA) has signed a landmark agreement to strengthen Aotearoa's emergency communication systems. This agreement comes at a time when climate change and legislative reform are reshaping the nation's approach to disaster resilience. At a ceremony held yesterday, April 14 2025 at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) offices in Wellington, CAMA signed the Broadcast Media Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) alongside Radio New Zealand (RNZ), Television New Zealand (TVNZ), Whakaata Māori, Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori (Iwi Radio Network) and the Radio Broadcasters Association (RBA). The MOU establishes a shared commitment to providing timely, accurate, and accessible emergency information to the public, particularly during national crises or life-threatening events. The agreement comes as public consultation is underway to shape the Emergency Management Bill. The Bill's discussion document identifies clear communication and meaningful engagement with communities, especially Māori, disabled people, and ethnic groups, as essential to an effective emergency system. Radio Hawke's Bay Station Manager and CAMA Deputy Chair Kelly Reid says the MOU formalises Community Access Media's role as a trusted, frontline provider of that information. 'We saw the power of Community Access Media during Cyclone Gabrielle, where Radio Hawke's Bay became a vital connector for people cut off from national networks. This agreement recognises that local media isn't just a nice-to-have, it's critical infrastructure in a crisis.' Reid adds that in times of crisis, it's vital that communities can access consistent, culturally responsive messaging that reaches people where they are. 'This MOU gives us a seat at the table and the opportunity to co-create smarter, more equitable emergency communication systems.' CAMA Chair Phil Grey says the MOU is a critical step in embedding risk reduction, equity, and community inclusion at the heart of emergency planning and response. 'The future of emergency management is local, inclusive, and proactive, and that's exactly what Community Access Media delivers. We're embedded in our communities. We're trusted. Our content-makers speak the languages, understand the cultural context, and have the agility to respond fast when it matters most.' As part of the agreement, MOU partners have endorsed 10 guiding principles, including the recognition of broadcasters as 'essential services' and critical conduits for emergency communication.
Otago Daily Times
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Response praised after Canterbury floods
The Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery has praised the community response to the severe weather over the last week. Christchurch and Banks Peninsula are still in a state of emergency after torrential rain hit the Canterbury region, while households across Wellington, Wairarapa, and Manawatū remain without power following a rare "threat to life" warning with the strongest wind in over a decade. "As a country, we've always had these weather events - particularly people in the South Island, they're used to water and rain. However, they are becoming more intense and severe," Mark Mitchell told Saturday Morning. "Communities are becoming more and more sensitive to that, and realising that as a country to strengthen our response and be more resilient, it's not just central government, local government or regional government, or our first responders - it's a whole of community response." Mitchell said he could see a difference between when he first became the Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery to now. He said those in Canterbury had told him that there was good communication, and the Civil Defence teams had done a "very, very good job in terms of responding early to their needs". The local state of emergency has lifted for Selwyn, and Mitchell said the main concern was now the surface flooding, which was "starting to abate". "I'll be out checking, making sure that, first of all, residents are taken care of and they can identify clearly what needs to be done in terms of infrastructure and property damage. I'm on standby from central government to support once I've been able to identify that," Mitchell added. He also said power companies had been working "flat out" to restore power to households across Wellington, Wairarapa, and Manawatū. There was also work underway for a new Emergency Management Bill to replace the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, which Mitchell said was out of consultation. "I want to make that absolutely fit for purpose." Ferries operating again Meanwhile, the Interislander ferry Aratere was the first of the Cook Strait ferries away from Wellington this morning, heading for Picton. Interislander and Bluebridge ships were kept at their berths from Wednesday because of high swells from the southerly storm. Interislander says it is putting on additional sailings on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Bluebridge says it has added additional sailings to its schedule today. These are the 1.30 sailing this afternoon from Wellington and the 7.15 this evening from Picton.
RNZ News
02-05-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister praises community after Canterbury floods
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger provide an update on the flood recovery efforts in Canterbury. Photo: RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon The Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery has praised the community response to the severe weather over the last week. Christchurch and Banks Peninsula are still in a state of emergency after torrential rain hit the Canterbury region, while households across Wellington, Wairarapa, and Manawatū remain without power following a rare "threat to life" warning with the strongest wind in over a decade. "As a country, we've always had these weather events - particularly people in the South Island, they're used to water and rain. However, they are becoming more intense and severe," Mark Mitchell told Saturday Morning . "Communities are becoming more and more sensitive to that, and realising that as a country to strengthen our response and be more resilient, it's not just central government, local government or regional government, or our first responders - it's a whole of community response." Mitchell said he could see a difference between when he first became the Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery to now. He said those in Canterbury had told him that there was good communication, and the Civil Defence teams had done a "very, very good job in terms of responding early to their needs". The local state of emergency has lifted for Selwyn, and Mitchell said the main concern was now the surface flooding, which was "starting to abate". "I'll be out checking, making sure that, first of all, residents are taken care of and they can identify clearly what needs to be done in terms of infrastructure and property damage. I'm on standby from central government to support once I've been able to identify that," Mitchell added. He also said power companies had been working "flat out" to restore power to households across Wellington, Wairarapa, and Manawatū. There was also work underway for a new Emergency Management Bill to replace the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, which Mitchell said was out of consultation. "I want to make that absolutely fit for purpose." Meanwhile, the Cook Strait Ferries are expected to be running again today after large swells cancelled services for the last couple of days. Data from the Marine Traffic ship tracker shows Interislander ferry the Aratere is en route from Wellington to Picton. Bluebridge's first sailing is meanwhile expected to be later this morning. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
