Date: 8 August 2025

Dear Chief Executive,

Pursuant to sections 10–13 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA), I request the release of any and all information held by Wellington City Council relating to the potential or proposed organisational alignment or merger of the Emergency Management function with the City Development function.

Specifically, I request:

1. All reports, advice, briefings, and meeting papers (internal and external) that consider, recommend, or evaluate any such alignment or merger, including any organisational restructure proposals in which both functions are referenced together.

2. Risk assessments and statutory compliance reviews relating to the potential alignment, including:

- Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 obligations;
- Local Government Act 2002 purposes and decision-making requirements;
- Relevant resilience, climate adaptation, and urban growth policies.

3. Legal advice or interpretations sought or received on whether combining these functions is consistent with statutory and regulatory frameworks.

4. Governance or accountability diagrams showing reporting lines and delegated responsibilities for both functions under any proposed or considered new structure.

5. Records of stakeholder engagement or consultation with:

-The Mayor and Councillors;
-Impacted staff;
-WREMO and other regional civil defence bodies;
- Iwi partners;
- Stakeholders (emergency/welfare and city development stakeholders);
- Emergency service providers; and/or
- The public.

6. Options analysis or alternative models considered, including any assessment of retaining Emergency Management as a standalone function.

This request is made in the public and emergency management interest to ensure that organisation of functions affecting the city’s emergency readiness strategy is:

- Transparent and supported by a clear, evidence-based rationale;
- Compliant with statutory obligations under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 and other applicable legislation;
- Subject to proper consultation with relevant agencies, iwi, and affected stakeholders;
- Supported by robust risk management to avoid conflicts of purpose or dilution of specialist capability.

Any decision to combine Emergency Management, a life-safety critical statutory function, with a political and commercial portfolio would represent a material governance shift with significant implications for public safety, resilience, and the city’s strategic growth.

As required under LGOIMA:

- Please respond no later than 20 working days after receipt of this request (s13(1));
-If an extension is necessary, please advise under s14, specifying the reason and expected completion date;
-If any part of this request is refused, please state the grounds for refusal under ss6 or 7 and provide the reasons (s19).

Please provide all information electronically in searchable PDF format.

Yours sincerely,

An emergency professional and a concerned citizen.

Dear Wellington City Council,

Please withdraw this request and consider matters closed.

Yours faithfully,

Emergency Professional