The Otago Emergency Management region extends from the Waitaki River in the north to Teahimate Bay in the South, west to the summit of the Haast Pass and east to 20km offshore into the Pacific Ocean. Otago borders the Canterbury, Southland and West Coast regions.
Emergency Management Otago is a shared service between all six Councils in Otago and works in partnership with emergency services and other organisations to ensure effective coordination of emergency management within its area. Otago CDEM Agreement
Governance is provided by the Emergency Management Committee (EMC).
The Emergency Management Committee is a statutory standing committee with overall responsibility for setting the strategic direction and conducting the business of Emergency Management Otago.
The Emergency Management Committee comprises of the Mayors from each District Council and Chair of the Regional Council.
Joint Committee Agenda 12th December 2024
Appendices 2 Otago Lifelines Programme Vulnerability Study 2024 Executive Summary V1.1 Final
Appendices 3 Otago Lifelines Programme Vulnerability Study Update 2024 V2.0 Final
Joint Committee Agenda Sept.2024
Appendices 1 District Community Resilience Survey Results
Appendices 2 Overall Community Resilience Survey Results
Appendices 3 Emergency Management Otago CATPLAN Version Sept 5Th 2024
The Coordinating Executive Group (CEG) provides strategic advice and implements the decisions of the Emergency Management Committee. They oversee the development, maintenance, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Regional Emergency Management Plan.
Members of the Coordinating Executive Group (CEG)
The following additional members as co-opted under section 42 of the Emergency Management Act 2026:
The Community Resilience Strategy focuses primarily on societal resilience as it applies to disaster risk management.
The Strategy focuses on four (4) objectives:
This strategy identifies training & capability development pathways across three tiers - community volunteers, coordination centre staff and Emergency Management Otago professional staff.
Although a tsunami cannot be prevented, the impact of a tsunami can be mitigated through community awareness, preparedness, timely warnings and effective response.
This plan is to detail the preparedness, warning processes and systems, risk evaluation, activation, evacuation and other response arrangements in the event of a tsunami threat on the Otago coast.
The purpose of this plan is to document the Otago regional strategic arrangements for the coordination of animal welfare services during emergencies. This is relevant to the hazards listed in the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan Order 2015 (National CDEM Plan 2015).
All animal owners, or persons in charge of animals, should develop their own plans to care for their animals during emergencies. The role of the animal welfare subfunction is to help provide for the needs of animals when their owners (or persons in charge) are not able to do so themselves because of the consequences of an emergency.
In August 2021, Emergency Management Otago and Fire and Emergency NZ signed a Memorandum of Understanding detailing how they will collaborate on regionwide air operations in emergencies. The agreement is part of a new Aviation Emergency Support Plan (AESOP) which they have developed with regional airports and aviation operators.
The plan will:
The Emergency Management Act 2026
The Emergency Management Act 2026 is the foundational piece of legislation which New Zealand can prepare for, deal with, and recover from local, regional and national emergencies.
The National Disaster Resilience Strategy
The National Disaster Resilience Strategy is a comprehensive approach aimed at enhancing the country's ability to withstand and recover from disasters. The strategy emphasizes a collaborative and integrated approach involving government agencies, local communities, businesses, and individuals. It focuses on building resilience at all levels by addressing key areas such as hazard identification and risk reduction, community engagement and empowerment, infrastructure resilience, and effective response and recovery efforts.
National Disaster Resilience Strategy
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
NEMA is the government lead for emergency management. NEMA supports local, regional and national understanding and coordination. This includes among government, iwi, local government, and private and community organisations.
Contact Details
If there is a threat to life or property, dial 111 for emergency services.
Phone: 0800 474 082
Email: info@otagocdem.govt.nz
Where to find us: 180 High Street, Dunedin
The next Emergency Management Committee will be held on 6 November 2026 at 1.00pm at Otago Regional Council, Council Chambers, 180 High Street, Dunedin.
