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NEMA Discussion document Strengthening New Zealand's Emergency Management Legislation

Posted in Submission, National; Tagged Maori sovereignty, Accessibility, Health; Posted 9 months ago by DPA Less than a minute to read

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To: National Emergency Management Agency
Date: May 2025

 

Purpose

This submission’s core purpose is to ensure that the unique needs and experiences of disabled people, particularly tāngata whaikaha Māori, are explicitly recognized and integrated into all aspects of emergency planning, management, and response. DPA aims to advocate for systemic changes that address the disproportionate risks faced by disabled individuals during emergencies, moving beyond a 'one size fits all' approach.

Summary of DPA submission

DPA welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on strengthening New Zealand’s emergency legislation, recognizing it as a high priority for the disability community. The submission highlights significant demographic data, noting that 17% of New Zealanders are disabled, with tāngata whaikaha Māori experiencing an even higher disability rate of 26%. DPA asserts that gaps in support systems amplify disadvantage for disabled people during emergencies and agrees with the consensus that the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Act 2002 needs overhauling and updating to include health emergencies. International research consistently demonstrates that disabled people are disproportionately affected by disasters due to their needs not being prioritised or planned for and their voices not being heard.

DPA and Access Matters have identified eight key barriers experienced by disabled people in civil emergencies: inaccessible evacuation procedures and shelters; communication issues; interrupted disability and natural supports; separation from assistive devices; high disability poverty rates; additional health needs; and precarious housing situations. These challenges, in DPA’s view, stem from systemic bias that traditionally views disabled people as a lower priority for assistance and from inadequate training of emergency personnel. DPA advocates for framing disaster preparation as an essential investment rather than a cost.

The submission stresses that emergency planning must incorporate the perspectives of disabled people through co-design partnerships focused on accessibility and inclusion. This includes areas such as accessible communications, appropriate evacuation points, effective welfare responses, and disability responsiveness training for emergency personnel. DPA supports strengthening the new emergency powers legislation to specifically reference the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), particularly Article 11, which addresses situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies. They also recommend that priority be accorded to maintaining health and disability services during emergencies, with NEMA and local CDEM planning and coordinating support and specialist equipment in partnership with disabled people and providers.

DPA supports legislative requirements for CDEM Group plans to include provisions for disproportionately affected communities and for the National Director to consult with these communities for national planning. They strongly advocate for direct representation of disabled people and disabled people’s organisations on all NEMA and CDEM advisory groups. Additionally, DPA recommends full recognition of Māori needs, including tāngata whaikaha Māori, under Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the new legislation, proposing formal partnerships and designated Māori representatives in all emergency management structures. Other key recommendations include giving the NEMA Director more power to monitor CDEM performance, with a key performance indicator (KPI) focused on effectively planning for and responding to at-risk communities and requiring all local CDEM to create voluntary registers for at-risk people to facilitate support and evacuation.

 

Key Recommendation/Finding:

That any emergency management legislation must include specific recognition of disabled people, particularly tāngata whaikaha Māori, as an at-risk demographic to ensure inclusive, equitable, and effective disaster preparedness and response.

 

Supporting Statement 1:

Statistics New Zealand’s Household Disability Survey 2023 found that 17% of New Zealanders (851,000 people) were disabled, with a higher disability rate of 26% among tāngata whaikaha Māori, highlighting a significant population group with unique needs.

 

Supporting Statement 2:

International and national research consistently shows that disabled people are disproportionately affected by emergencies and disasters, facing higher risks due to their needs not being prioritised or planned for, and their voices not being heard in emergency planning.

 
 

 

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DPA Submission 2505 NEMA Discussion document Strengthening New Zealand's Emergency Management Legislation (DOCX)

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