11 May 2020
Alan Thompson
[FYI request #12460 email]
Reference: OIA-2019/20-0418
Dear Alan Thompson
Official Information Act request relating to Whakaari/White Island eruption review
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 17 March 2020.
You requested:
1. “A copy of the Terms of Reference or other documents setting out the scope of the
review being undertaken by NEMA of the response by CD to the Whakaari/White
Island eruption?
2. Confirmation that the review will include all aspects of the response to the eruption
and in particular to the search, rescue and recovery of victims of the eruption, that
being the major operational task undertaken under the management/coordination of
the Lead Agency (BOPEMG)? The search, rescue and recovery operations post
eruption were undertaken by NZ Police who advised that they were a service
operating to support the Lead Agency (BOPEMG) under NZ's Coordinated Incident
Management System (CIMS).
3. A copy of the review report on the eruption response as being undertaken by NEMA.”
Please find below our responses to your above questions.
1. A copy of the Terms of Reference or other documents setting out the scope of the
review being undertaken by NEMA of the response by CD to the Whakaari/White
Island eruption
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is not undertaking a review of the
response by CD to the Whakaari/White Island eruption. The NEMA is undertaking a review of
its own response; the review follows NEMA’s standard process following each response with
debriefing, capturing lessons, and identifying any internal corrective actions that may be
necessary. Accordingly, I am refusing your request for a copy of the terms of reference or other
documents which set out the scope of the review of NEMA’s response, under section 18(e) of
the Act, as the information requested does not exist or, despite reasonable efforts to locate it,
cannot be found.
2. Confirmation that the review will include all aspects of the response to the eruption
and in particular to the search, rescue and recovery of victims of the eruption, that
being the major operational task undertaken under the management/coordination
of the Lead Agency (BOPEMG)? The search, rescue and recovery operations post
eruption were undertaken by NZ Police who advised that they were a service
operating to support the Lead Agency (BOPEMG) under NZ's Coordinated Incident
Management System (CIMS).
Level 4, Bowen House, Parliament Buildings | PO Box 5010 | Wellington 6145 | New Zealand
Tel: +64 4 830 5100 | [email address] | www.civildefence.govt.nz
The scope of the review that NEMA undertakes, only relate to the response that NEMA
undertook. We will not be reviewing the responses of the Bay of Plenty CDEM Group or other
agencies to the Whakaari/White Island eruption.
3. A copy of the review report on the eruption response as being undertaken by NEMA.
The review and the subsequent report of NEMA’s response to the Whakaari/White Island
eruption has not yet been completed. Accordingly, I am refusing your request for a copy of this
report, under section 18(e) of the Act, as the information requested does not exist or, despite
reasonable efforts to locate it, cannot be found. Please note, that due to NEMA’s ongoing
involvement to the New Zealand Government’s response to COVID-19, that there may be
delays in the production of NEMA’s report of our response to the Whaakari/White Island
eruption.
I trust you find this information useful.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under section
28(3) of the Act.
Finally, for your information, this response will be published on the Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet’s website during our regular publication cycle. Typically, information is
released monthly, or as otherwise determined. Your personal information including name and
contact details will be removed for publication.
Yours sincerely
Carolyn Schwalger
Chief Executive, National Emergency Management Agency
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