The Public Service emergency sector supports people in Aotearoa New Zealand in times of crisis.

Tā te rāngai ohotata mahi What the emergency sector does

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) is responsible for managing emergencies created by geological or meteorological hazards, or infrastructure failure. It organises public education about civil defence emergency preparedness and emergency management planning. DPMC also hosts the National Emergency Management Agency, which leads or supports the response and recovery, depending on the emergency.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand manages the nation’s network of rural and urban fire services and works to reduce the incidence of unwanted fires, while the New Zealand Police manages over 860,000 emergency calls a year and provides emergency management. The Earthquake Commission provides home insurance in the event of an earthquake, and invests in natural disaster research to help communities reduce their risks.

Ngā kaimahi o te rāngai ohotata Who works in the emergency sector

The emergency sector includes a variety of roles, for example:

  • police officers, firefighters and dispatchers
  • systems developers
  • experts in emergency and disaster management
  • data analysts and researchers
  • policy advisors, coordinators and administrators.

Many of the people who respond to emergencies are volunteers who choose to give up their time and risk their safety for the wellbeing of their communities.

Ngā painga o te rāngai ohotata mō Aotearoa How the emergency sector benefits New Zealand

The emergency sector provides the public with information in relation to civil defence emergencies. It saves lives by responding to accidents, emergencies and natural disasters and also by working with the public to prevent such incidents from taking place. The sector also works with people who have been affected by an emergency to help them rebuild their lives.

Ngā whakahaere rāngai ohotata Emergency sector organisations

These are the main Public Service organisations that support Aotearoa New Zealand’s emergency sector.

  • Te Tari o te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

    The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) provides impartial advice and support services to the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and the Governor-General. It ensures ministers and Cabinet are supported by timely, well-informed advice. Its work helps the Public Service be more proactive and responsive to the people of New Zealand.

    Sectors

    Central agencies

    Emergency

    National security

    Social

    Leader

    Rebecca Kitteridge, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Tari o te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua | Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    dpmc.govt.nz

  • Toka Tū Ake | Earthquake Commission

    Toka Tū Ake EQC is a Crown agent that invests in natural hazard research and education to help governments, policy makers and communities reduce the impact of natural hazards. It administers the country’s natural hazard home insurance scheme for damage caused by earthquakes, tsunamis, landslips, volcanic eruptions, and hydrothermal activity to help communities get their lives back on track after an event. All New Zealanders with a current home insurance policy that includes fire cover automatically receive EQCover.

    Sectors

    Emergency

    Chair

    Chris Black, Chair

    Website

    eqc.govt.nz

  • Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is a Crown agent which is an integrated fire and emergency services organisation with a mandate to reduce the incidence of unwanted fires and the associated risk to life, property and the environment. Its services include:

    • promoting fire safety
    • providing fire prevention and response
    • providing urban search and rescue
    • responding to incidents involving hazardous substances
    • rescuing trapped people.

    Fire and Emergency also provides assistance with medical emergencies, natural disasters, weather events and transport accidents.

    Sectors

    Emergency

    Chair

    Rebecca Keoghan, Chair

    Website

    fireandemergency.nz

  • Te Rākau Whakamarumaru | National Emergency Management Agency

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) helps ensure that New Zealanders receive a consistent level of support in any emergency, wherever and whenever it happens. When help must be deployed in New Zealand, the Emergency Management Assistance Team coordinates the response, after considering available resources and other competing requests.

    Sectors

    Emergency

    Leader

    David Gawn, Te Tumu Whakarae, Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders 

    Website

    civildefence.govt.nz

  • Ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa | New Zealand Police

    New Zealand Police works with the community to make New Zealanders be and feel safe, providing policing services 24 hours a day. It operates across land, sea and air to prevent crimes and crashes. It invests in relationships with tangata whenua to jointly reduce offending and victimisation within Māori communities.

    Sectors

    Border

    Emergency

    Justice

    National security

    Social

    Transport

    Leader

    Andrew Coster, Commissioner of Police

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    police.govt.nz