Review of the Tsunami Evacuation 2017

• establish the means within its group area, in line with the national guidelines and in
collaboration with its supporting agencies, to provide timely warning of hazards, and public
information about them.
A CDEM Group may be requested or directed by the National Controller to activate its CDEM
arrangements to the appropriate level, whether or not a state of emergency has been declared.
NZ Police Role
The Guide provides details of the role of the Police, which includes to:
• assist with the dissemination of warning messages; and
• assist the movement of rescue, medical, fire and other essential services; and
• coordinate movement control over land, including communications and traffic control; and
• conduct any initial evacuations to ensure protection of life.
The Act gives the Police certain powers during a state of emergency. These include to:
• evacuate any premises or place, or exclude persons or vehicles from any premises or place
where such action is necessary for the preservation of human life; and
• totally or partially restrict public access to any road or public place.
The Role of Science and Research Organisations
Science and Research Organisations (universities, Crown research institutes, private organisations and
international networks) also play a part. As detailed in the Guide, their role is to assist with:
• hazard monitoring; and
• the provision of hazard and risk information; and
• scientific advice to agencies managing an emergency; and
• public information on hazards and risks and safety measures.
National Warning System
The Guide covers national warnings and advisories which are intended to provide information about
the potential or actual threat. The Guide identifies that “effectiveness of a warning or an advisory
depends on:
• the timeliness of the warning or advisory; and
• the delivery and receipt of the national warning or advisory; and
• the recipients understanding of the necessary action to be taken in respect of the particular
threat; and
• the readiness and response from the national, CDEM Group or local levels”.
National warnings and advisories are provided by MCDEM to CDEM Groups, local authorities,
emergency services, agencies, lifeline utilities and broadcasters. CDEM Groups are responsible for
disseminating national warnings to local communities and maintaining local warning systems.
Warnings and advisories may be issued for any type of hazard. The type of warning or advisory will
depend on the hazard type and potential impact. The Guide states that use of the national warning
system should follow this procedure:
• An alert notification system feeds information about the environment to MCDEM.
• MCDEM analyses the information and decides what to do.
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