Waitaha leaders sign MOU, uniting regional and local councils in a shared commitment to Civil Defence Emergency Management collaboration.
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Civil defence emergency management
Last updated: 17 November 2025
Reporting frequency: Quarterly
Core service: Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
Environment Canterbury enables and funds the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (CDEM Group).
The CDEM Group is a partnership between Environment Canterbury, territorial authorities, emergency services and others. CDEM Group works with communities to identify and reduce risks, increase readiness, and prepare for responding to, and recovering from, emergencies.
How are we tracking on our service measures?
Service measure 24: Percentage of time that an Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) and a CDEM Group Controller, are available and ready to activate
Target: 100%
How we are doing: 100%
All ECC equipment was tested in accordance with standard operating procedures
On track
Service measure 25: Percentage of appointees in the Emergency Coordination Centre that are trained to Civil Defence Emergency Management Group standards
Target: 90% or more
How we are doing: There were 143 trained staff available in quarter one, although there were no activations during the quarter
On track
More information
The response to a Civil Defence Emergency is coordinated by the CDEM Group. Appointees in the Emergency Coordination Centre are Environment Canterbury staff members, and members of the public, who are volunteers.
Training refreshers take place when we exercise for an event (or when an event occurs).
Recent highlights and updates
News
Civil Defence Emergency Management Canterbury is undertaking a multi-agency exercise based on a magnitude 8 earthquake on Thursday 7 November.