28 April 2022
Harold
[FYI request #18983 email]
Reference: OIA-2021/22-1165
Dear Harold
Official Information Act request relating to National Exercise Programme
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 28 March 2022.
You requested:
I would like to make a request for information relating to the National Exercise
Programme. I would like to request:
ONE: A list of all national (Tier 4) exercises conducted since the beginning of 2018. I
would like this list to include the name of the exercise, date performed (month and
year), lead agency and scenario covered.
TWO: On the NEMA website, it is noted that “In December 2020, the Hazard Risk
Board approved an amended schedule of exercises to take place between 2021 -
2023.” I would like to request a copy of the complete schedule of exercises approved
by the Hazard Risk Board in December 2020.
THREE: If the December 2020 schedule of exercises has since been amended, I would
like to request a copy of the current schedule as well.
Information being released
In response to question one of your request, I have defined tier 4 exercises that relate to
national Civil Defence Emergency Management exercises. I can confirm that there have been
no Tier 4 exercises since 2018. However, there have been five National Exercise Programme
exercises since 2018. These exercises were conducted outside of the tier system and are
detailed in the table below:
Year
Details
Lead Agency
2018
POMARE Disease Threat
Ministry of Health
2018
HIGH WATER Irregular Ministry of Business,
Migration
Innovation and Employment
2018
ACTUATOR Cyber Threat
Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet
Level 4, Bowen House, Parliament Buildings | PO Box 5010 | Wellington 6145 | New Zealand
Tel: +64 4 830 5100 | [email address] | www.civildefence.govt.nz
2019
WHAKATAU KORERO
Ministry for Primary
Biosecurity
Industries
2021
INTENSITY Cyber threat
National Cyber Security
Centre
Additional Information
The National Security System National Exercise Programme schedule comprises a 4-year
cycle with a range of exercises designed and delivered over the period. Exercises held at a
national level are a significant undertaking and the schedule is designed to be flexible. The
programme may change to address new risks as they arise and considers the need for
agencies to respond to real emergencies when they occur. The response to COVID-19 has
resulted in a number of agencies having to adjust their exercise and training programmes.
It should be noted that the National Security System complements – but does not replace –
agency readiness programmes. Lead agencies are stil expected to exercise their own
arrangements for their particular risks at the appropriate levels, including the activation of
emergency coordination centres as needed.
If you are interested in a specific risk area, please contact the relevant lead agency directly.
A list of lead agencies can be found in the National Security Systems Handbook, which is
publicly available on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website, at
https:/ dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2017-03/dpmc-nss-handbook-aug-2016.pdf.
Information publicly available
Regarding question two and three of your request, the information requested is publicly
available on the following website:
Item Title
Website Address
1.
CDEM Exercise Calendar
https:/ www.civildefence.govt.nz/cd
em-sector/exercises/cdem-
exercise-calendar/
2.
National Exercise Programme
https:/ www.civildefence.govt.nz/cd
(interagency)
em-sector/exercises/national-
exercise-programme-interagency/
Therefore I am refusing this part of your request under section 18(d) of the Act as the
information requested is publicly available.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under section
28(3) of the Act.
Yours sincerely
Dave Gawn
Chief Executive
National Emergency management Agency
4513215
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