New Zealand’s emergency management system is undergoing a once-in-a-generation reform—and your voice is needed.

The Government has released a discussion document proposing a new Emergency Management Bill, which will replace the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002. The Bill responds directly to lessons from recent disasters like Cyclone Gabrielle, aiming to create a stronger, more inclusive, and better-coordinated emergency system.

🗓 Public consultation is now open and closes on Tuesday 13 May 2025.

This is your opportunity to shape the future of how we respond to emergencies in Aotearoa—and we encourage all individuals, marae, community groups, emergency services, NGOs, and local authorities to get involved.

What’s This All About?

The new Emergency Management Bill is designed to:

• Improve community and iwi Māori participation in emergency management.

• Provide clearer leadership and responsibilities during emergencies.

• Lift the minimum standard of readiness across the country.

• Minimise disruption to critical services and infrastructure.

• Ensure people and agencies have the right powers and protections to act.

These changes are based on widespread feedback, previous reviews, and the findings of the Government Inquiry into the 2023 severe weather events.

Key Areas You Might Want to Submit On

The discussion document is wide-ranging—but here are a few areas that may be especially relevant for our network:

Strengthening Community and Iwi Māori Participation

• Should community voices and vulnerable groups be better reflected in emergency planning?

• How should marae, iwi, and hapū be formally recognised and included?

Enabling Local-Led Response

• Should the law better support communities and businesses who act first before official help arrives?

• How can we improve the connection between formal emergency systems and community response?

Clarity in Roles and Responsibilities

• Who should be in charge during an emergency?

• How can we avoid the confusion and delays seen in previous disasters?

Support for Local Government and Regional CDEM Groups

• How do we strengthen the regional civil defence without centralising everything?

• Should funding and delivery expectations be clearer across councils?

How to Make a Submission

Submissions close Tuesday 13 May 2025 at 5pm. You don’t need to be an expert—your lived experience, questions, or suggestions all matter.

Ways to submit:

Online: civildefence.govt.nz/emergency-management-bill
Email: EmergencyManagementBill@nema.govt.nz
Post: Policy Unit, NEMA, PO Box 5010, Wellington 6140

You can respond to any part of the discussion document, big or small.

Why This Matters

Communities are the first responders when disaster strikes—and too often, they’re left out of the decision-making process. This Bill is our chance to fix that.

At FIRST72, we believe in a system where communities, marae, and frontline responders are recognised, resourced, and ready. This is a rare opportunity to help shape legislation that reflects that vision.

We’re sharing this widely and encouraging everyone who works in, supports, or cares about community resilience and emergency preparedness to take part.

📘 Read the full discussion document
Strengthening New Zealand’s Emergency Management Legislation – NEMA

📣 Got questions or want to talk through your submission?
Feel free to reach out to the FIRST72 team—we’d love to support anyone making a submission.