6 April 2023
Harris Leigh
[FYI request #22025 email]
Reference: OIA-2022/23-0676
Dear Harris Leigh
Official Information Act request relating to the use of local contractors in delivering
emergency management responses in New Zealand
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request which was transferred to the
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) from Hon Kieran McAnulty, Minister for
Emergency Management, on 15 March 2023. You requested:
“Under the OIA I seek any information you hold relating to the importance of local
contractors in delivering emergency management responses in Aotearoa.
Specifically I am interested to know:
1) Whether the urgency of emergency responses means it local contractors are often
best placed to provide assistance;
2) Whether it would be possible to replace the use of local contractors with directly
employed public servants as proposed by the Leader of the Opposition.”
Relating to Part 1 of your request, emergencies can be complex and vary in speed of
response and scale. Local authorities and NEMA have their own trained staff that manage
and coordinate emergency responses, drawing in other staff as necessary. In the event of
larger emergencies where NEMA activates the National Crisis Management Centre, NEMA
is often assisted by staff from other government agencies.
The work of Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups and NEMA is often
supplemented by specific expertise and resources depending on the nature of the
emergency. For example:
• floods often damage roads and bridges, in which case local roading contractors are
usually best placed to undertake repairs
• floods can often damage stop-banks also requiring emergency repairs, in which
case local earth-moving contractors may be used
• where telecommunications services are damaged these are usual y restored by the
telecommunications providers either using in-house or contracted staff
• in the case of welfare and community assistance, Iwi often provide a great deal of
support
• volunteers and a range of community organisations wil also typically provide a
variety of assistance and support during an emergency.
Level 7, TSB Building, 147 Lambton Quay | PO Box 5010 | Wellington 6140 | New Zealand
Tel: +64 4 830 5100 | [email address] | www.civildefence.govt.nz
If you are interested in learning more about the various roles and responsibilities of agencies
in managing hazards at a national level, the Guide to the National Civil Defence Emergency
Management Plan has more information. This is available on the NEMA website here:
www.civildefence.govt.nz/cdem-sector/plans-and-strategies/national-civil-defence-
emergency-management-plan-and-guide In Part 2 of your request, you asked whether it would be possible to replace the use of local
contractors with directly employed public servants. As noted in the answer to Part 1 of your
request, most of those who assist in the management of emergency responses are employed
either by central or local government or are volunteers.
For emergency repairs to infrastructure, some of which are not owned by either the government
or local authorities, it would likely be too expensive or impractical to maintain separate staff
and equipment to be available solely for emergencies. For this reason, relationships are in
place with a range of providers to ensure they can respond quickly when emergency repairs
to key infrastructure assets are required.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under section
28(3) of the Act.
This response may be published on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s
website during the regular publication cycle. Typically, information is released monthly, or as
otherwise determined. Any personal information, including your name, will be removed for
publication.
Yours sincerely
Anthony Richards
Chief Advisor to the Deputy Chief Executive, Emergency Management
National Emergency Management Agency
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