In this newsletter:
- Disaster & Emergency Management Conference
- Congratulations Michele Poole MNZM
- CIMS Public Information Management
- CIMS Recovery Function
- ASEAN Leadership Course
- Readings
Disaster & Emergency Management Conference
$500 discount for RRANZ alumni
The Next Chapter in Emergency Management: Adapting, Learning, Leading
- Dates: 27–28 July 2026
- Location: Gold Coast, QLD
Through the Memorandum of Understanding RRANZ has with the Australasian Institute of Emergency Services, we have been able to obtain access to a special discount price for alumni attending the Disaster & Emergency Management Conference on the Gold Coast, Australia.
- Single Registration: normally $1,449, our price $949 +Aus GST (dinner not included)
- Dinner tickets available for $121.00 (inc. Aus GST)
- Only applicable to 2-day standard registrations
Use this portal to register and add the discount code DEMCAUS10 on the registration page.
Note: Offer expires on Monday, 13th July 2026
Congratulations to Michele Poole MNZM
Michele’s contribution to emergency communications in New Zealand over more than 30 years has been extraordinary. From some of our country’s most significant events to building capability across the sector, her work has helped ensure communities are informed, supported, and better prepared in times of crisis.
We feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside Michele and to benefit from her insight, experience, and generosity. This recognition reflects not only her expertise but also the real difference she has made in people’s lives.
CIMS Public Information Management success!
A huge thank you to all of our participants from MBIE, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, DOC, Environment Southland, AREC, Napier City Council, and Hamilton City Council for making our first public PIM course a success.
Here at RRANZ, we are passionate about ensuring high-quality training is available to all of the organisations with a role to play in emergency management.
Thank you also to Rachel Thornton and James Thompson of Canterbury CDEM for enabling the completion of this national PIM product, and to Michele Poole for injecting her widely recognised wisdom and experience.
What did the participants think?
“Having Michele as facilitator was so valuable - so knowledgeable, so honest and open. It felt like we were in good hands. The discussions were so valuable, as was having peers from around the country and different organisations. “
“Michele and Tracy’s wealth of knowledge was invaluable, and their willingness to answer questions and let conversations flow.”
“Wonderful pace for learning, good content coverage!”
We are planning on running another course towards the end of 2026.
Register your interest now.
CIMS Recovery Function
Recovery: still the least understood, least well-served CIMS function?
Disaster recovery is arguably the least understood CIMS function - and RRANZ is doing something about it. Their new Performing the CIMS Recovery Function course runs 22–23 October 2026 at Massey University, Wellington.
This two-day, practical course helps participants understand recovery's role within CIMS, managing the transition from response to recovery, multi-agency coordination, and community engagement. It's for anyone with a recovery role - local government, iwi, emergency management, infrastructure, and community services. Facilitated by Sally McKay and Tracy Hatton.
Course Format
- Dates: 22 - 23 October 2026
- Location: Massey University, Wellington
- Cost: $1,400.00 excl. GST
This course can also be run in your region or in-house on request. Contact us to discuss.
ASEAN Leaders Programme with Massey University
Seeing our own backyard through new eyes
The RRANZ team have just spent a week co-facilitating the Manaaki Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience course at Massey University, alongside 28 participants from across Southeast Asia.
While it's easy to focus on what New Zealand doesn't do well in disaster risk reduction, spending the week with this cohort gave the team a fresh appreciation for what we get right — our depth of hazard knowledge, our public education campaigns, and our community-centred approach. A useful reminder that resilience work is a two-way exchange, with as much to learn from an international lens as participants take home.
This Month’s ReadingsStrategic Foresight - Mega Trends 2026 Report “The newly released Megatrends Report 2026 explores the major structural forces reshaping the operating environment for policing over the coming decade and beyond. Rather than attempting to predict the future, the report uses futures thinking to examine how long-term trends may interact, collide and compound - and what those dynamics mean for policing legitimacy, capability and operating models across Australia and New Zealand.” Source: ANZPAA Community Volunteers in Disaster | Right Help, Right Time – The Documentary – Beyond Disaster “Inspired by the community leaders who step forward to help in a disaster, Right Help, Right Time explores how communities have mobilised during disasters. Andrew, Josh and Jake travelled to some of the most impacted places around the world to understand how everyday people are increasingly involved in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.” Source: Beyond Disaster Dementia awareness on the front line “People living with dementia are among the most vulnerable in our society, yet this is not always obvious. Dementia is often described as an invisible disability, as its cognitive, behavioural, and memory-related symptoms are not always physically apparent. Often leading to stigma and misunderstanding. People living with dementia may struggle to understand instructions, feel disoriented, or find it difficult to communicate their needs. These challenges can affect behaviour in ways that may be misinterpreted as non-compliance or resistance. A helpful framework is the ACE principles:
To build your own awareness, watch the video. |