MEDIA RELEASE

30 August 2018

Improvements to the way New Zealand prepares and responds to natural disasters will help Canterbury, says Environment Canterbury chair Steve Lowndes.

In January 2018, Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi released a report by a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) that provided advice and options on how to deliver better responses to natural disasters and other emergencies. In it, there were multiple recommendations.

Today, Minister Faafoi announced the Government’s response to the TAG report. Environment Canterbury chair Steve Lowndes welcomed the announcement.

“As a region, we’ve unfortunately dealt with several natural disasters and emergencies in recent years,” he said. “I welcome the Minister’s announcement as at its heart it is about helping our communities when an event happens.

“I’m particularly supportive of the recommendation for a fly-in team to respond where they are needed,” he said. “In Canterbury, we’ve been fortunate enough to have many people from other councils around the country fly-in to help us during a response, which has been invaluable for us.”

A fly-in team would be a group of people, including specialist communication experts and science advisors, to deploy immediately if needed.

“I also welcome the Group approach. While I recognise this will be a change in the way territorial authorities work, we have worked closely with the territorial authorities in Canterbury over the years and any change that helps ensure consistency, collaboration and helps our communities have confidence in us, is welcome.

“We look forward to the changes being picked up and brought through by the Canterbury Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group Joint Committee.”

ENDS

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