Disaster and emergency management

The Governance and Administration Committee called for submissions on the Emergency Management Bill in 2023. The Emergency Management Bill would replace the Civil Defence Emergency Act 2002 which provides powers for managing emergencies at local, regional, and national levels.

The NZVA made a submission on behalf of members. Primarily, we believe there is ambiguity across New Zealand legislation about what actions can be taken to ensure the welfare of animals in an emergency, and we want this ambiguity to be removed. The NZVA also recommended that the Bill be amended to make it clear that during emergency management activities:

• animals are covered (in addition to people and property)
• animals can be ‘seized’ for their safety/rescue
• entry on to premises is allowed to rescue animals, just as it is to rescue humans. We understand the Act already allows for access on to properties (including farms). The clarification we seek relates to buildings on properties.