November 29

State of local emergency extended

The state of local emergency that has been in place for the Canterbury region since the Kaikōura earthquake on November 14 will be extended for a further week.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel, on behalf of the member Mayors on the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Joint Committee, said while the immediate emergency need had lessened, there were still some situations where it was useful to retain the powers provided by the declaration.

These included the management of the Kaikōura Emergency Access Route and evacuation of residents at Goose Bay.

Draft legislation was before Parliament which would strengthen the legislative framework for recovery. The legislation was expected to be passed under urgency this week.

“It would be good to have this seamless transition from response to recovery and for that reason it is recommended that the current declaration be extended for a further week,” Mayor Dalziel said.

“Once the recovery legislation is passed, consideration could be given to terminating the emergency declaration and implementing the transition to recovery powers.”

The CEOs of Hurunui and Kaikōura are in agreement with the above recommendation.

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