The role of Civil Defence

The aim of Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) is to ensure the safety of people, property and the environment. We do this by identifying significant hazards in the community, determining community vulnerability to these hazards, and building community resilience to recover from significant events. Civil Defence is a system of mobilising the full resources of the community to cope with disasters.

Every city or district council is required by the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 to plan for emergencies. The council must also maintain Civil Defence capability and have a Civil Defence Local Controller.

A civil defence emergency is declared, usually by the Mayor, when a disaster is so large that normal emergency services (police, fire and ambulance) cannot cope adequately and the safety of the public is at risk.

 Civil Defence aims to prevent, reduce, or overcome any hazard or harm or loss to the public or property that may be associated with any emergency.

The controller assumes control of the response effort during a Civil Defence emergency. During an emergency, a Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centre would be set up.

Civil Defence is not an emergency service, but seen as a coordination provider between the Emergency Services and community resources.

If you are in danger or need help - dial 111

Where to find information in an emergency

Regular updates will be issued to the public through the media - listen to your local radio station

Regular updates will be posted on the Waitomo District Council website and Facebook page.

Council will activate the Emergency Status page of this website with relevant updates and links to other useful sites.

Be prepared for an Emergency 

Disasters can happen quickly, and we can’t prevent them but there are steps everyone can take to reduce their impact and recover quickly. It is important to know what you must do before you have to do it.

In some cases, such as a weather related or volcanic disaster, there may be time for a warning. But an earthquake or a tsunami close to land could strike without warning.

All disasters have the potential to cause disruption, damage property and take lives. So it's vital that you prepare now.

Hazards

New Zealand has lots of different natural hazards. Earthquakes, tsunami, landslides, flooding, severe weather, volcanic activity.

Other hazards include climate and coastal erosion, fire, pandemic, drought, animal and plant pests and diseases, and hazardous substances. 

Who manages these hazards? 

When there is an emergency, the agency leading the response depends on the type of hazard. Various agencies work together to manage emergencies and keep people safe. 

It is important to learn about these hazards and the potential risks in your area, so you can be prepared and make good decisions considering these hazards and risks. 

Tsunami Evacuation Zones

You can view information and maps regarding the Tsunami Evacuation Zones in our District, here:

• Awakino (PDF 6.98 MB)
• Kinohaku (PDF 6.45 MB)
• Kiritehere (PDF 5.2 MB)
• Mōkau (PDF 7.43 MB)
• Marokopa (PDF 6.18 MB)
• Taharoa (PDF 7.12 MB)
• Te Waitere (PDF 4.3 MB)
• Waikawau (PDF 7.36 MB)