Discussion Document: Strengthening New Zealand’s Emergency Management Legislation

The National Emergency Management’s Discussion Document: Strengthening New Zealand’s Emergency Management Legislation is now open for public consultation.

The discussion document, a summary and information on how to make a submission is available on NEMA’s website www.civildefence.govt.nz/emergency-management-bill. Submissions close on 13 May 2025.

• The National Emergency Management Agency is seeking public feedback on options to strengthen New Zealand’s overarching emergency management legislation.
• As part of its response to the Government Inquiry into the Response to the North Island Severe Weather Events, the Government intends to pass a new Emergency Management Bill during this term of Parliament. The Bill will replace the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002.
• The new Bill is an opportunity to make sure our legislative settings enable the improvements identified through the Government Inquiry and other reviews.
• In particular, the legislative reforms aim to ensure there is a whole-of-society approach to emergency management.
• We encourage you to read the discussion document and share your views on the issues and the options for improving the legislation. Your feedback will help inform further policy development and shape changes to New Zealand’s emergency management legislation.

NEMA’s Facebook page and LinkedIn also have links to the Discussion Document:

• https://www.facebook.com/NZCivilDefence/posts/1056155729892388
• We are seeking public feedback on options to strengthen New Zealand’s… | National Emergency Management Agency (NZ)