Key MCDEM Staff

John Hamilton, Director
As Director of the Ministry, Mr Hamilton provides the strategic leadership for the team. He joined civil defence in 2006 following a lengthy career in the Royal New Zealand Air Force first as a helicopter pilot and later in a variety of senior operational command and leadership appointments.

Responsibilities
The Director is responsible to the Chief Executive of the Department of Internal Affairs for leading the development of structures and processes to support individuals and communities in reducing risk, increasing readiness and managing the response and recovery activities at the national level in civil defence emergencies.
Duties during an activation
The Director participates as a member of ODESC to develop and co-ordinate advice to the Minister and Government. During a state of national emergency the Director directs and controls the resources available for civil defence emergency management.

David Coetzee, Operations Manager
Responsibilities
David is responsible for the management of all of the operational processes of the Ministry, including the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC), National Warning System, National Exercise Programme and National CDEM Plan & Guide.
Duties during an activation
Co-ordinates the national support or management of the emergency event.

Vince Cholewa, Public Information Manager
Responsibilities
To coordinate all aspects of public information including media liaison, information centres, public enquiries and reception of VIP visitors.
Duties during an activation
Key point of contact between the Ministry and the media.
Contact details: DDI 04-495 6835 Mobile: 027 268 8463 Email: vince.cholewa@dia.govt.nz

Sarah (Norm) Stuart-Black, Manager CDEM Specialist Services
Responsibilities
Manages a unit responsible for research, hazards and risk reduction, professional development, disaster recovery and the Ministry’s relationship with other national emergency management agencies as well as the United Nations. Sarah is a New Zealand member of the United Nations Disaster Assessment & Coordination Team.
Duties during an activation
Primary responsibility for staffing the Operations desk in the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC)

Alan Walker, Manager CDEM Development
Responsibilities
Alan's unit is repsonsible for building national, regional and local CDEM capability. A national team of emergency management advisors focus on the development of standards and guidelines as well as building partnerships with key CDEM stakeholders at the national level. Three regional teams of emergency management advisors are based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch respectively to support CDEM Groups with CDEM planning and capability development.
Duties during an activation
The national team is primarily responsible for staffing the Logistics desk in the NCMC, while the regional teams provide direct advice and support to impacted CDEM Groups and Group members. Post emergencies, the Development Unit also provide recovery support to impacted councils.

Paul Houliston, Manager CDEM Policy
Responsibilities
Paul manages the CDEM Policy team within the Regulation and Compliance Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs. The team's role is to develop and provide high quality policy advice and support to the Minister of Civil Defence including strategic policy development, Cabinet and briefing papers, Official Information Act requests, parliamentary questions and speeches.
Duties during an activation
The CDEM Policy Team provides support to the Director CDEM, the Minister of Civil Defence and the Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination, by developing and coordinating policy options for Government support in response and recovery from an event.