Only 30pc of NZ prepared for emergency

Photo / APN

After the Canterbury earthquakes only 30 per cent of New Zealanders are prepared at home for an emergency and a Civil Defence report says there is little evidence on how prepared businesses are.

Prior to the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes in Canterbury only 23 per cent of New Zealanders were prepared for an emergency in their homes.

The small increase in preparedness of seven per cent was highlighted in a report released today by Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye on the national Civil Defence emergency management strategy which was introduced in 2008.

It was delayed by two years after the Canterbury earthquakes.

The report found experiences following the Canterbury earthquakes have shown that the recovery framework does not adequately provide for an emergency requiring large-scale recovery efforts.

Ms Kaye said the Government is looking at reviewing legislation to find the best way to address this.

The Department of Internal Affairs is leading a review of the legislative framework for recovery from major emergencies.

Ms Kaye said the report showed good progress on Civil Defence emergency management strategy but said there was room for improvements.

"As Civil Defence Minister one of my key priorities is to ensure we use what we have learned from Canterbury to strengthen our civil defence emergency management structure."

The progress report shows that the Canterbury earthquakes have significantly heightened the focus on emergency preparedness and addressing earthquake risks, in particular, earthquake-prone buildings and infrastructure.

"We still have more work to do to ensure New Zealanders take less of a 'she'll be right' approach. It is everyone's responsibility to understand and manage their risks at home, at work and in their community so that they are adequately prepared for emergencies," said Ms Kaye.