IAG Celebrates Launch of Resilient New Zealand Report

News release

8 December 2015

IAG Celebrates Launch of Resilient New Zealand Report

Resilient New Zealand released its first report today to address a greater role that businesses can play together in helping New Zealand being better prepared for, and recovering from future natural disasters.

IAG’s New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Jacki Johnson says the report’s recommendations focus on embedding resilience within businesses and industry associations so they can help our communities in times of natural disasters.

“Recent events in New Zealand, in particular the tragedy of the Canterbury earthquakes, have taught us a great deal about how to handle future disasters, including the desire from businesses to contribute to the economic and social well-being of their communities following disasters,” Ms Johnson says.

The project’s lead, Bryce Davies from IAG’s corporate affairs team has led the development of this report, “Contributing More: Improving the role of business in recovery.” Drawing on discussions with more than 50 business, central and local government, and community leaders involved in the Canterbury earthquake recovery, it provides recommendations to public and private sector groups on how they can help facilitate businesses contributing more to future natural disaster recoveries.

“The report includes important steps businesses can take to ensure they can not only survive natural disasters, but thrive, and end up in a position where their considerable skills, experience and resources can be used in wider community recovery.

“It encourages businesses to be proactive, reduce their risks, and build networks that will enable collaboration opportunities. These are critical elements in ensuring New Zealand recovers well, and quickly, from our next disaster – whatever, and wherever it is,” Mr Davies said.

In addition, the report recognises the importance of central and local government considering how their frameworks can best enable the skills and resources of local businesses to be embraced.

“We’ve been thrilled with the support we’ve received from all participants and more broadly from business, community and government audiences we’ve met with in recent months.

Mr Davies noted the report had been commended by the Minister of Civil Defence Hon. Nikki Kaye. “Businesses have a lot to contribute to building resilient communities. Your resilience can play a significant role in the speed of recovery of households, towns and cities, and regions. You also have a lot to offer communities directly, including leadership in times of crisis. I am delighted to see the private sector taking the initiative in this manner, and I hope we will work more closely in the future,” says Minister Kaye.

“It’s great to know we’ve created something that will be useful in developing the country’s resilience and which is supported across different sectors. We’re looking forward to working with these groups to implement our recommendations and consider what projects Resilient New Zealand will undertake in the future”, Mr Davies said.

A copy of the report can be viewed here: www.resilientnewzealand.co.nz

IAG NZ is a founding member of Resilient New Zealand, an organisation formed earlier this year by Beca, BNZ, IAG, New Zealand Red Cross and Vodafone to identify, champion and advocate ways New Zealand can be more resilient to natural disasters.

ENDS

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