Recovery framework and guidance

The CDEM Act 2002 forms the basis of the CDEM framework. Other parts of the framework include Regulations, the CDEM Strategy, the National CDEM Plan and its Guide, which all have specific components that relate directly to recovery.

National Emergency Management Agency also provides guidance for the CDEM sector on recovery, including Director’s Guidelines, Fact sheets, and other resources.

Recovery in the CDEM Framework

Civil Defence Emergency Management Amendment Act 2016

The CDEM Amendment Act 2016 strengthens the legislative framework for recovery to help communities get back on their feet more quickly after an emergency.  The majority of the Amendment Act came into force on 29 November 2016 to allow provisions to be used to support recovery from the Hurunui/Kaikōura earthquake sequence. 

Although its focus is on recovery from small to medium events, the Amendment Act is not limited to these types of emergencies. Its provisions can be used in a large scale emergency until any bespoke legislation is created. 

The Amendment Act amends the CDEM Act to:

  • establish a legislative framework for recovery management, by providing a mandate for recovery managers and by strengthening the requirement to plan for recovery
  • support a seamless transition from response into the initial recovery phase, by establishing a transition notice mechanism that will make some emergency powers available for a specified period of time (local or national transition period), and
  • makes some minor and technical amendments to improve the Act, and consequential amendments to other legislation and the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan Order 2015.

Further information on changes to the CDEM Act 2002.

Further information on the CDEM Act 2002.

Recovery Transition Periods

The CDEM Act provides for CDEM Groups to give notice of a transition period following an emergency, whether a state of local emergency has been declared or not. The purpose of the transition period is to aid recovery by providing powers to manage, co-ordinate, or direct recovery activities.

Local transition periods have a maximum duration of 28 days. They may be extended (for up to another 28 days) or terminated at any time.

The following documents provide guidance to CDEM Groups on the CDEM Act 2002 requirements relating to local transition periods. These documents should be used when declaring or giving notice, extending or terminating a local transition period.

Factsheet: Local transition periods (pdf. 316kb)

Quick Guide to giving notice of a local transition period (pdf. 114kb)

Local transition period forms (giving notice of, extending, and terminating a local transition period) (doc. 23kb)

Powers of a Recovery Manager during Transition (.pdf 128kb)

Advice on recording powers used during a transition period (.pdf 631kb)

Reporting on use of powers during a transition period (.pdf 656kb)

During a transition period, Recovery Managers have access to powers. Also refer to Recovery Managers for further information on these powers. 

Civil Defence Emergency Management Regulations 2003

The CDEM Regulations 2003 include forms for giving notice, extending and terminating a national or local transition period.

Word versions of these forms can be found here.

National Disaster Resilience Strategy

The National Disaster Resilience Strategy released in 2019 outlines the vision and long-term goals for civil defence emergency management in New Zealand. One of the three priorities set in the strategy is Effective Response to and Recovery from Emergencies.

National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan 2015

The National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan 2015 sets out the roles and responsibilities of agencies and groups during recovery. Part 9 of the CDEM Plan covers the objectives and principles of recovery, transitioning from response to recovery, transition periods and recovery activities.

The CDEM Plan also covers Government financial support to local authorities during recovery.

Section 32 of the Guide to the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan

Section 32 of the Guide to the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan provides information on the objectives and principles of recovery. It also covers activities in transiting from response to recovery, recovery structures, national and CDEM Group roles and responsibilities, and exit strategies.

National Emergency Management Agency guidance on recovery

Strategic Planning for Recovery Director's Guideline 2017

Strategic planning for recovery focuses on determining what CDEM Groups, and each member of the CDEM Group (i.e. local authorities), need to do to ensure their communities are well-placed and supported to recover from emergencies.  

This Director's Guideline provides guidance to CDEM Groups on how they can go about this process, addressing the specific hazards and risks set out in their CDEM Group plan, as well as considering the consequences these hazards and risks may have on communities.  

Strategic Planning for Recovery Director's Guideline

Recovery Preparedness and Management Director’s Guideline [DGL 24/20]

This Director’s Guideline is a foundational document of New Zealand’s recovery framework and embed lessons from recoveries over the last ten years. It provides information that Recovery Managers, Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups and local authorities need to understand about recovery, and outlines arrangements to have in place before and after an emergency. This guideline will also be informative for others agencies, organisations and groups involved in preparing for and managing recovery.

Recovery Preparedness and Management Director’s Guideline

CDEM Group Planning Director’s Guidelines 2018

Section 4.4 of the CDEM Group Planning provides guidance on the recovery contents of CDEM Group Plans. 

CDEM Group Planning Director's Guidelines (pdf 2.9 MB)

Factsheets and Quick Guides

Factsheets were developed to provide further information on the CDEM Amendment Act 2016. The factsheets cover changes to the Act, transition periods, powers of Recovery Managers and the Minister of Civil Defence (and recording and reporting on the use of powers), recovery planning, structural assessment and miscellaneous information. 

CDEM Amendment Act 2016 factsheets

Factsheet: Local transition periods (pdf. 316kb)

Quick Guide to giving notice of a local transition period (pdf. 114kb)

Powers of a Recovery Manager during Transition (.pdf 128kb)

Advice on recording powers used during a transition period (.pdf 631kb)

Reporting on use of powers during a transition period (.pdf 656kb)

Forms and Templates

Notice of local transition period

Word version of the form giving notice of a transition period (Form 17 CDEM Regulations 2003). (.doc 21kb)

Notice of extension of local transition period

Word version of the form extending a transition period (Form 18 CDEM Regulations 2003). (.doc 22kb)

Notice of termination of local transition period

Word version of the form terminating a transition period (Form 19 CDEM Regulations 2003). (.doc 22kb)

Recording and reporting of powers used during a transition period

A template for recording powers exercised during a transition period is included in the factsheet Advice on recording powers used during a transition period (.pdf 631kb)

A template for reporting powers exercised during a transition period is included in the factsheet Reporting on use of powers during a transition period (.pdf 656kb)

Recovery Action Plan template

Recovery Action Plan template for use during recovery.

Recovery Action Plan template (57 KB)