204 civil defence emergency management events in first quarter: earthquakes and weather warnings most common
The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management announced that it recorded 204 weather and geological events in the first quarter of the year, 1 January 2008 to 31 March 2008.
The Ministry’s Director, John Hamilton, said that the breakdown of events highlights what we should expect in New Zealand – almost half the events were earthquakes and about a quarter were heavy rain warnings.

“We live on a group of isolated islands, in the roaring forties on the edge of tectonic plates,” Mr Hamilton said. “That means we are likely to get rain and wind, and earthquakes and volcanoes.”

Historically, flooding is by far the most common emergency in New Zealand, while earthquakes, most too small to be felt, occur every day.
More information

24/7 warning and advisory system launched
Civil Defence Minister, Rick Barker, recently launched the new 24/7 Civil Defence Emergency Management Warning and Advisory system. Through an arrangement between the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management and the New Zealand Fire Service, the Fire Service will provide a 24/7 monitoring service and in pre-determined situations, issue national warnings and advisories from their Northern Communication Centre.

"We will now have a permanently staffed 24/7 communication centre receiving and issuing initial emergency information, and supporting the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management's on call team," Mr Barker said.

"In the event of a civil defence emergency, the government’s response needs to be as prompt and effective as possible and the 24/7 system is about achieving that.

"As a result of the initiative, agencies, local Councils and the civil defence and emergency management sector will now get faster warnings of impending emergencies and this will in turn result in faster, clearer information for the public. This will also mean they can start their own responses and preparing their communities sooner."

Photo: Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management Director, John Hamilton, National Commander of the New Zealand Fire Service, Mike Hall and Civil Defence Minister Rick Barker address media enquiries at the launch.