Response + Recovery Leadership Resources

Below are key resources and publications relating to the emergency response and recovery sector in New Zealand.

It also contains some key reports reviewing the response to recent past events in New Zealand.

RRANZ Emergency Management Leadership Capability Framework

This Framework outlines the capabilities central to effective leadership in response and recovery management. These capabilities apply to organisations in both the public and private sectors. It spans the four organisational response levels provided in the New Zealand Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS): Incident, Local, Regional and National.

National Security System Handbook

This handbook sets out New Zealand’s arrangements with respect to both the governance of national security and in response to a potential, emerging or actual national security crisis.

Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) 3rd edition

This is the primary reference for incident management in New Zealand. It describes how New Zealand agencies coordinate, command, and control incident response of any scale, how the response can be structured, and the relationships between the respective CIMS functions and between the levels of response.

From 1 July 2020 the 3rd edition replaces all previous versions of CIMS.

National Disaster Resilience Strategy

This outlines the vision and long-term goals for civil defence emergency management in New Zealand. This strategy came into effect on 10 April 2019 and replaces the previous National Civil Defence Emergency Management Strategy.

Response Management Directors Guideline

This guideline is for use by the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group and Local Controllers to assist them with performing their statutory roles under the CDEM Act.

Leadership Success Profile Expanded Guide

This guide provides the levels of capability which are required in different roles across the New Zealand public sector.

National CDEM Plan Order + Guide

The National CDEM Plan 2015 identifies core functions for national management of the consequences of emergencies.

National Emergency Management Agency

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.

Better Responses to Natural Hazards and Other Disasters (NZ 2017)

This document outlines the government’s response to a Technical Advisory Group’s findings into how New Zealand responds to natural disasters and emergencies. and sets out a multi-year work programme that will deliver extensive change to New Zealand’s emergency response system.

Lessons learnt and post-event reports

NEMA Post-Event Response Reports

Pike River Royal Commission: Improving the emergency response

The Port Hills fire and the rhetoric of lessons learned

Paper published in the Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies, Volume 22, Port Hills Wildfire Special Issue,

Port Hills Fire FENZ Review

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (previously New Zealand Fire Service and National Rural Fire Authority) independent review and action plan following the 2017 Port Hills fire, Christchurch.

Review of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Response to the 22 February Christchurch Earthquake

Whole of Government Report

Lessons from the Canterbury earthquake sequence - Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)

Independent Review Maritime New Zealand’s Response to the MV Rena Incident on 5 October 2011

This report is an independent perspective on defined matters relating to the response phase of the Rena incident.