On Tuesday 9 May, amid heavy rain, flooding and thunderstorms, Mayor Wayne Brown declared a local State of Emergency.
Below, we've listed some useful Q&As and everything you need to know about what a State of Emergency is and how it affects you and our region:
What is a declaration?
A State of Emergency declaration gives a Controller legal authority to apply resources in support of a response.
What can it be used for?
It enables Controllers to direct and coordinate personnel, material and other resources that are made available, and provides access to extraordinary authorising powers to help deliver an effective and timely response in an emergency.
When can a declaration be made?
A declaration can only be made if all these tests in the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Act 2002 are met:
- An emergency has or may occur in an area
- The situation is an emergency defined in the CDEM Act 2002, ie. the result of an explosion, earthquake, eruption, tsunami, land movement, flood, storm, tornado, cyclone, serious fire, leakage or spillage of any dangerous gas or substance, technological failure, infestation, plague, epidemic, failure of or disruption to an emergency service or a lifeline utility, or actual or imminent attack or warlike act
- It will or may cause loss of life or injury or illness or distress or endanger the safety of public or property in any part of New Zealand
- It cannot be dealt with by emergency services or otherwise requires a significant and coordinated response.
Why was a state of emergency declared for Auckland on Tuesday 9 May?
The declaration was issued as a precautionary measure, even though emergency services coped well with the volume of call outs they received.
If access to extraordinary powers is or may be required, such as requiring an evacuation, a state of emergency should be declared.
When was the declaration signed for the Auckland May weather event?
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown declared a State of Local Emergency for Auckland at 12.59pm on Tuesday 9 May 2023. Due to being in Sydney on council business, he delegated his responsibilities and powers to Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson.
How long does it stay in place for?
The State of Local Emergency declared on Tuesday 9 May was issued for a standard seven-day period, but will be reviewed over the coming days with advice on whether an early termination is appropriate.
The rapid building assessment process will provide additional information to feed into this process.
How often is a declaration reassessed?
Declarations are issued for a standard seven-day period, but can be reviewed on a daily basis to ensure they remain appropriate.
