Civil Defence
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Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee and Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith today announced initial funding of up to $3 million to develop and enhance GeoNet’s natural hazards monitoring capability and response service.

The funding will support GeoNet - New Zealand’s official geological hazard information service - to further develop New Zealand’s hazards monitoring tools.

Paul Goldsmith Gerry Brownlee Science and Innovation Civil Defence
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A grant of up to $5 million to help with the post-earthquake restoration of Kaikoura Harbour was announced today by Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce.

“This grant will ensure work can begin as soon as possible to dredge the harbour, which is a pivotal lifeline to the Kaikoura region,” Mr Brownlee says.

“The magnitude 7.8 earthquake on November 14 resulted in the seabed rising between one and two metres in some areas, which has severely restricted access to the region by sea.

Gerry Brownlee Steven Joyce Civil Defence Economic Development
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The Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission (EQC) Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between EQC and private insurers.

EQC and New Zealand’s major private insurers have reached an agreement which will help ensure thousands of claims following the November 14 earthquake are resolved efficiently and in a timely manner.

Gerry Brownlee Earthquake Commission Civil Defence
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Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says a National Transition Period issued today will help support recovery efforts following the November 14 earthquake.

The Minister has given notice of a National Transition Period in Kaikoura, Hurunui and Marlborough Districts, which came into force at 1pm today.

A National Transition Period provides for a National Recovery Manager to coordinate recovery activity if needed across the three district councils, the Canterbury Regional Council and central government agencies.

Gerry Brownlee Civil Defence
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Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the passing of the Hurunui/Kaikōura Earthquakes Recovery Bill 2016 by Parliament today.

This is the third of three Bills in response to the Kaikōura earthquake sequence that started with a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on November 14.

“It will establish a time limited process to enable Acts and associated plans, to be amended by Order in Council, for earthquake-affected areas,” Mr Brownlee says.

Gerry Brownlee Leader of the House Civil Defence
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Leader of the House and Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the passing of the Hurunui/Kaikoura Earthquakes Emergency Relief Bill 2016 in Parliament today.

“This is the second of three Bills in response to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on November 14, and is about supporting individuals and communities to get their lives and livelihoods back on track as quickly as possible,” says Mr Brownlee.

Gerry Brownlee Leader of the House Civil Defence
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Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says recent observations by GNS provide a timely reminder to all New Zealanders about the need to be prepared for earthquakes.

GNS has observed unusual activity involving patches of slow slip movement between tectonic plates in the lower North Island.

“This heightened activity increases the uncertainty about the likelihood and size of future earthquakes,” Mr Brownlee says.

Gerry Brownlee Civil Defence
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The first of three new Bills in response to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on November 14 has passed unanimously in Parliament. 

Leader of the House and Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says the Bills have been drafted by officials who have drawn on the experience of the Canterbury earthquakes and then further developed by a cross-party group.

“The new legislation recognises the extraordinary situation faced by earthquake-affected communities, particularly in the Kaikoura and Hurunui districts,” Mr Brownlee says.

Gerry Brownlee Leader of the House Civil Defence
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Three new Bills have been drafted in the wake of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on November 14 to ensure the government can enable affected communities to respond quickly and efficiently.

Leader of the House and Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says new legislation recognises the extraordinary situation faced by earthquake-affected communities, particularly in the Kaikoura and Hurunui districts.

“The Bills have been developed by officials who have drawn on the experience of the Canterbury earthquakes,” Mr Brownlee says.

Gerry Brownlee Leader of the House Civil Defence
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The 0800 779 997 Government Helpline has been activated to assist people needing financial and other support following the November 14 earthquake, Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee and Social Development Minister Anne Tolley say.

The 0800 779 997 number will operate seven days a week from 7am to 9pm until further notice.

“The Helpline provides a one-stop source of information on the services and assistance available to people affected by the emergency,” Mr Brownlee says.

Gerry Brownlee Anne Tolley Social Development Civil Defence
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GNS Science has revised the magnitude of the large earthquake that struck at 12:02am on Monday from a 7.5 to a 7.8, Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

“GNS Science informed my office of the revised magnitude earlier today after reassessing the data from its stations across the country,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Because it took over a minute for the fault to rupture during this event, the standard method normally used to calculate the energy released during an earthquake was insufficient.

Gerry Brownlee Civil Defence
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New Zealand Defence Force helicopters have so far airlifted 103 people from Kaikoura.

Defence Minister and Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says the evacuees have been taken to Christchurch, where local authorities have been helping make arrangements for affected tourists. 

“The four New Zealand NH90 helicopters have been evacuating people and bringing in supplies on each flight,” Mr Brownlee says.

Gerry Brownlee Defence Civil Defence
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The New Zealand Defence Force has accepted offers of help from the United States and Japan militaries as part of the ongoing response to the November 14 earthquake.

Defence Minister and Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says providing essential supplies to Kaikoura and getting tourists out of the region remains the priority while work to assess the scale of the damage continues.

“The district is completely isolated after the magnitude 7.5 earthquake and subsequent landslides,” Mr Brownlee says.

Gerry Brownlee Defence Civil Defence
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HMNZS Canterbury will support the ongoing response in the Kaikoura region, which has been hardest-hit by today’s events.

Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says viewing the region from the air revealed extensive damage to essential connections and basic infrastructure.

“The Prime Minister and I have now seen first-hand the numerous major slips, which have isolated Kaikoura from the north and south,” Mr Brownlee says.

Gerry Brownlee Civil Defence
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Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the Civil Defence Emergency Management Amendment Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today.

“The new legislation will enable a smoother and more effective transition from the response phase to recovery after an emergency, says Mr Brownlee.

“It will do this by providing those carrying out recovery work with powers previously only available under a state of emergency, such as the ability to limit access to public spaces and remove or secure dangerous structures.

Gerry Brownlee Civil Defence
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Acting Civil Defence Minister Craig Foss says that along with other countries around the world today, New Zealand is marking the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction.

“The United Nations International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction is observed each year in October to raise the profile of disaster risk reduction,” says Mr Foss.

“Countries choose their own theme to recognise the day, and here in New Zealand our focus this year is on ‘prepared kids’.

Craig Foss Civil Defence
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Over 100 organisations and several hundred staff nationwide are getting ready to take part in Exercise Tangaroa, which will test New Zealand’s arrangements for preparing for, responding to and recovering from a major tsunami, says Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye.

The exercise will take place on three separate days in August and September.

Nikki Kaye Civil Defence
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Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye has announced the next phase of a project funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT) and delivered by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM), aimed at helping Samoa build its resilience to natural hazards.

“There’s a longstanding relationship between MCDEM and Samoa’s National Disaster Management Office (NDMO). The $750,000 package announced tonight will support this ongoing partnership and further strengthen Samoa’s disaster risk management programme,” says Ms Kaye.

Nikki Kaye Civil Defence
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Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye is travelling to Samoa today for a three-day visit, focused on affirming the strong ties between New Zealand and Samoa around disaster risk management.

“The ever present risk of natural hazards is something that both New Zealand and Samoa understand very well,” says Ms Kaye.

Nikki Kaye Civil Defence
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A campaign encouraging Kiwis to be better prepared for emergencies kicks off today, says Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye.

“The campaign, featuring online videos, a campaign website and social media content, is part of a new, $2.5 million, three-year public education programme,” says Ms Kaye.

“A redeveloped schools programme is also being worked on, with interactive online modules and a renewed focus on the curriculum.

Nikki Kaye Civil Defence
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Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye today announced that eight regions have been awarded funding grants from the 2016 Resilience Fund, an annual fund of $889,000 administered by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM).

“We recognise that some of the best work towards enhancing New Zealand’s resilience is happening in our regions. As a Government, we want to support these communities to continue this great work, and help them share their skills and knowledge across the whole country,” Ms Kaye says.

Nikki Kaye Civil Defence
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Budget 2016 will help ensure New Zealanders are better prepared for natural disasters by providing an extra $6.1 million of operating funding over the next four years and $63,000 of new capital funding for the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM), Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye says.

“This is a significant investment for a small agency, which currently has 42 staff and overall baseline funding of around $11 million. The investment is expected to enable MCDEM to increase its staff to around 52,” Ms Kaye says.

Nikki Kaye Civil Defence Budget 2016
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Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye will today attend the 85th anniversary afternoon tea for survivors of the 1931 Napier earthquake, to pay tribute to the heroism, kindness and generosity shown by many during this and more recent emergencies.

“From both the Napier and more recent Canterbury quakes, there are many stories of neighbours, friends, families and strangers helping one another and placing others before themselves,” says Ms Kaye.

Nikki Kaye Civil Defence