You can protect your life and property during an emergency as long as your actions are reasonable. There are no specific authorisations in the RMA for a person to be exempt from regulations (Public utility operators and local authorities have provisions under the RMA to conduct emergency work). 

 

However, in general if you are taking reasonable measures to protect life and home and there is some mitigation of effects, this is a defense against the act.  Please note that this is only during the emergency, once the emergency has subsided and you would like to undertake repair works, please contact Environment Canterbury for advise.
 
If you are a network utility operator or local authority you may undertake works during the emergency in accordance with section 330.  You will need to apply for a resource consent if the adverse effect is on-going.
 

For further assistance please contact Customer Service on 03 353 9007 or toll free on 0800 324 636. You can also visit our website www.ecan.govt.nz