16 September 2025
Amanda Hewitson
[FYI request #31863 email]
Reference: OIA-2025/26-0086
Tēnā koe Amanda,
Official Information Act request relating to configuration of Emergency Mobile Alerts
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 2 August
2025. You requested:
“Under the OIA please provide the following in relation to the emergency alerts sent on
30 and 31 July this year.
1. The full Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) objects (in machine-readable form) for
both EMAs, including all fields (e.g., msgType, references, effective/sent/expires,
urgency, severity, certainty, polygons/areas, language) and the message IDs
referenced by any “Update”/“Alert” relationships.
2. The geographic polygons (e.g., GeoJSON/WKT) used for each EMA and any
iteration history, along with NEMA’s targeting brief (e.g., “all coastal areas”).
3. NEMA’s post-incident investigation plan and any preliminary findings about repeated
deliveries and non-receipt on 30–31 July.
4. Correspondence with Everbridge/one2many and Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees
about duplicated delivery, handover between cell towers, device behaviours, or other
causes, and any workarounds or remediations agreed.”
Further to my letter dated 8 September, we have now finalised the preparation of the
documents relevant to part four of your request. Please find these documents enclosed,
subject to some information being withheld under the following sections of the Act:
• 9(2)(a), to protect the privacy of individuals
• 9(2)(ba)(i), to protect the supply of similar information in the future
• 9(2)(g)(i), to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank
expression of opinion
• 9(2)(g)(ii), to prevent improper pressure or harassment
• 9(2)(k), to prevent disclosure or use for improper gain or advantage.
In making my decision, I have considered the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of
the Act. No public interest has been identified that would be sufficient to override the reasons
for withholding that information.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
Level 7, TSB Building, 147 Lambton Quay | PO Box 5010 | Wellington 6140 | New Zealand
Tel: +64 4 830 5100 | [email address] | www.civildefence.govt.nz
This response wil 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.
Nāku noa, nā
Sarah Holland
Chief Advisor to the Chief Executive
National Emergency Management Agency
5109945
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