NZ world leader in risk management

New Zealand is a world leader in risk management and has much to share with others, chairperson of the Wellington Regional Council Margaret Shields will tell an international conference on disaster risk next month.

“Technical solutions like lead rubber bearings for buildings and our new legislative partnership approach to emergency management are examples of how New Zealand is leading the world,” Cr. Shields says.

Margaret Shields is one of only two New Zealand representatives to a conference about building safer cities in Washington from 4-6 December. Organised by the World Bank, it is attracting about 150 people including representatives from various UN agencies, the International Red Cross, governments and research organisations.

“Wellington Region has major potential hazards including earthquakes, flooding and technological hazards. These put our people and economic security at risk. However, Wellington and other parts of New Zealand have been innovative in risk management,” Cr Shields says.

New Zealand has a national framework for regions to support each other in a disaster. This was trialled with a major exercise in July 2002, Exercise Phoenix, where the Auckland Region supported the Wellington Region after a major earthquake.

“All parties involved in emergency management – including local government, emergency services, health providers, lifeline utilities, central government and communities – are beginning to work together. Our common goals are community resilience to disaster and safer communities.”

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