Disaster recovery would improve with stronger business input

8 December
Media Release

Canterbury leaders say New Zealand’s disaster recovery would greatly improve with stronger business input

New report recommends increased public and private sector collaboration and proactive disaster planning by businesses to aid community resilience

A report by Resilient New Zealand released today shows New Zealand’s ability to successfully recover from natural disasters will improve if businesses and other government and community organisations work closely to contribute to the recovery.

Formed earlier this year by Beca, BNZ, IAG, New Zealand Red Cross and Vodafone, Resilient New Zealand is an organisation working to identify, champion and advocate ways New Zealand can be more resilient to natural disasters – both to lessen their impact and enable better recovery.

The report titled “Contributing More: Improving the role of business in recovery” is Resilient New Zealand’s first initiative, and draws on more than 50 in-depth interviews with business, government and community leaders involved in the Canterbury earthquake recovery.

IAG’s New Zealand Chief Executive Jacki Johnson says the report’s recommendations focus on embedding resilience within businesses and industry associations.

“Recent events in New Zealand, in particular the tragedy of the Canterbury earthquakes, have taught us a great deal about how to handle future disasters, including the desire from businesses to contribute to the economic and social well-being of their communities following disasters,” Ms Johnson says.

“Achieving this requires businesses to be proactive in reducing their own risks and to plan and rehearse for the effects of natural disasters. What’s clear is that businesses that demonstrate resilience in the face of a significant disaster can contribute far more to their community’s recovery than ones that are less prepared,” she says.

Minister of Civil Defence, Nikki Kaye, says she is pleased to see the private sector taking initiative around its role in disaster recovery.

“Businesses have a lot to contribute to building resilient communities. Your resilience can play a significant role in the speed of recovery of households, towns and cities, and regions. You also have a lot to offer communities directly, including leadership in times of crisis. I am delighted to see the private sector taking the initiative in this manner, and I hope we will work more closely in the future,” says Minister Kaye.

New Zealand Red Cross Secretary General Tony Paine said the report also encouraged central and local government agencies to consider how their frameworks can tap into the contribution businesses can make.

“We have an opportunity for businesses to identify their own strengths and the contributions they can make in the event of a disaster. Central and local government should be considering how they can involve businesses in some of their planning around future disasters which will help unlock the experience and resources businesses can contribute to future disaster recoveries.

“This aligns with an underlying principle of our report which is that greater collaboration between businesses, central and local government, NGOs, and industry bodies is crucial to ensure New Zealand is better prepared for, and able to recover from, future natural disasters,” Mr Paine says.

Resilient New Zealand confirmed Contributing More: Increasing the role of business in recovery” represented a starting point for change, and the organisation would now be working with interested parties to help them with the implementation of the report’s recommendations.

The report was launched to participants of the research at an event in Christchurch on Tuesday December 8. A copy of the report and further information about Resilient New Zealand can be found at www.resilientnewzealand.co.nz

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