19 September 2025
Nicole T
[FYI request #31884 email]
Reference: OIA-2025/26-0172
Tēnā koe Nicole T
Official Information Act request for copies of training records and competency
assessments of staff who had authority to draft, approve or publish an emergency
alert as of 31 July 2025
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 2 September
2025. You requested:
“Regarding part 3 of my request, noting your refusal under the OIA, I would like to
request the same information as I did previously but to clarify that the information can
be anonymised to prevent any concerns under the sections of the OIA that you cited. In
short, I am seeking records that evidence that staff with the authority to exercise the
authority to issue emergency alerts at the end of July 2025 had sufficient training to do
so. The names of these individuals, nor any other identifying information, is
unnecessary to fulfil this request. I consider demonstrating that staff who can exercise
this significant authority are sufficiently trained to be in the public interest.”
I have decided to release the validation schedule for all Monitoring Alerting and Reporting
(MAR) staff, subject to information being withheld under section 9(2)(g)(ii) of the Act, to
prevent improper pressure or harassment.
I can confirm that Watch Leaders within the 24/7 MAR Centre are authorised to issue
Emergency Mobile Alerts (EMAs). Watch Leaders are staff who have experience as MAR
Watch Officers and who have been assessed as having the requisite skills to lead the on-
shift team through an event, in accordance with standard operating procedures.
All MAR staff undertake simulated tsunami drills at least once a week, and more frequently
when the operational tempo allows. A drill is also conducted weekly in conjunction with the
24/7 National Geohazard Monitoring Centre, Earth Sciences New Zealand. Debriefs are
conducted following all drills and live events to ensure continuous improvement.
MAR Watch Leaders participate in these drills and are revalidated every three months under
a formal assessment process to ensure they are current and competent. Both Watch
Leaders who issued the EMAs on 30 July and 31 July 2025 were current in their validation.
Post action reviews have confirmed they followed the correct procedures for the issuing of
the EMAs and demonstrated strong leadership in a situation where lives were at risk.
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 outweigh 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.
23 Kate Sheppard Place | 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
5109176
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