State of Emergency Continued until 31 March

Civil Defence Minister John Carter has extended the state of national emergency for a further seven days until 31 March.

Section 66 of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 allows the Minister to declare a state of national emergency and section 70 states that it expires with the commencement of the seventh day after the date on which it was declared. Section 71 allows seven-day extensions to the state of national emergency.

The state of national emergency in New Zealand was first declared on 23 February following the Christchurch earthquake. It was first extended on 1 March, then 7 March and 14 March.

“There is still considerable work to be done before the state of national emergency can be lifted and recovery work passed on to the appropriate agency or agencies,” Mr Carter says.

“Until then, the National Controller remains in control of the functions, duties, and powers of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group and Group controller. He works in consultation with central government and local authorities, including the Mayor, on this massive recovery operation.

“Christchurch needs significant support and the state of national emergency allows for a wider range of assets and powers to support the citizens of Christchurch than would normally be utilised under a state of local emergency.”

© New Zealand Law Society 2008