21 September 2022
M.R.M.
[FYI request #20363 email]
Reference: COR-2022/23-9-2
Dear M.R.M
Re: Official Information request - Get ready for nuclear war
Thank you for your email on 27 August 2022 concerning the impact of a nuclear war on New
Zealand. I note that what you have requested does not qualify as a request for official
information as defined under section 12 of the Official Information Act 1982 as the information
sought must be specified with due particularity, and providing a response to your request would
require this agency to generate new information.
The National Security System takes an all-hazards, all-risks approach to emergencies, and
coordinates agencies in response to any nationally significant crisis.
The Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 and National Civil Defence Emergency
Management Plan Order 2015 provide a range of powers for Civil Defence Emergency
Management Groups, the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management and the National
Controller (the latter two of which are employees of the National Emergency Management
Agency) to respond to a range of emergencies.
These statutory documents are currently being redeveloped as part of the Regulatory
Framework Review, which aims to modernise our emergency management system to ensure
it is fit for purpose for future generations.
I would also refer you to the National Disaster Resilience Strategy, which sets out what we
expect in respect of a resilient New Zealand, and what we want to achieve over the next 10
years. This Strategy is for all New Zealanders, and all those who live, work or visit here. It is
intended to provide a common agenda for resilience that individual organisations, agencies,
and groups can align with for collective impact.
NEMA encourages people to take a few simple steps to prepare their households for
emergencies, to help them get through the early stages of an emergency. As you are aware,
there is useful information on the Get Ready website at getready.govt.nz.
Level 4, Bowen House, Parliament Buildings | PO Box 5010 | Wellington 6145 | New Zealand
Tel: +64 4 830 5100 | [NEMA request email] | www.civildefence.govt.nz
Further to this, the Ministry of Health has an Office of Radiation Safety (ORS) that administers
the Radiation Safety Act 2016 and the Radiation Safety Regulations 2016. You may wish to get
in touch with their office if you would like further information about ionising radiation by emailing:
[email address]. Any significant impacts of nuclear fallout will be managed in a multi-sector manner in a similar
way to other emergencies whose impacts are widespread, insofar as this is possible in the
scenario described in your request.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Yours sincerely
Gary Knowles
Acting Chief Executive
National Emergency Management Agency
Level 4, Bowen House, Parliament Buildings | PO Box 5010 | Wellington 6145 | New Zealand
Tel: +64 4 830 5100 | [NEMA request email] | www.civildefence.govt.nz
