The Civil Defence Emergency Management Act (CDEM Act) 2002 came into effect on 1 December 2002, replacing the Civil Defence Act 1983.
The CDEM Act 2002 improves and promotes:
- The reduction of risks through partnerships with communities
- The reduction of community disruption from avoidable hazards and risks
- The reduction of financial risks from the costs of disruption
- More effective and efficient emergency readiness, response and recovery through the integrated activities of responsible agencies and relevant disciplines
- A culture, processes and structures that encourage and enable people and communities to: undertake risk management, build operational capabilities for response and recover from emergencies.
Other CDEM Related Legislation
Legislation relating to CDEM is not just limited to the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002.
There is a variety of other legislation that impacts on CDEM. These Acts may place requirements on particular groups, assist in land use planning and hazard identification or they may be the Acts that govern particular lifeline utilities. They all play a role in CDEM and may be useful as reference points for those wanting additional information about a particular issue in the CDEM Act 2002. They include:
- Biosecurity Act 1993
- Building Act 1991
- Defence Act 1990
- Earthquake Commission Act 1993
- Fire Service Act 1975
- Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977
- Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996
- Health Act 1956
- Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
- Local Government Act 1974
- Maritime Transport Act 1994
- New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000
- Port Companies Act 1998
- Public Works Act 1981
- Resource Management Act 1991
- Telecommunications Act 1987.