Roles and responsibilities
The Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 (CDEM Act) puts certain responsibilities on government agencies, emergency services, lifeline utilities and local authorities.
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
NEMA is responsible for administering the CDEM Act. NEMA’s core function is to enable the Director CDEM to meet their functions and duties. NEMA provides leadership, strategic guidance, national coordination and facilitates and promotes key activities across reduction, readiness, response and recovery.
Local authorities and CDEM Groups
Local government is an important part of CDEM in New Zealand. Local authorities include city, district and regional councils. Local authorities must maintain CDEM Groups.
CDEM Groups work with emergency services, lifeline utilities and government departments in their region to:
- identify and understand hazards and risks, and
- prepared CDEM Group Plans and manage hazards and risks.
Learn more about CDEM Groups.
Lifeline utilities
Lifeline utilities are entities that provide infrastructure services to the community such as water, wastewater, transport, energy, and telecommunications. Lifeline utilities have responsibilities for planning and coordinating in a way which enables the continuation of these services in an emergency, with assistance from CDEM Groups, NEMA, and other relevant government agencies and regulatory bodies.
Learn more about lifeline utilities and their responsibilities.