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Asked by
Mike Davidson
List MP · Green Party
Questions
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13048
What advice has the Minister or her officials commissioned or received regarding swift water pre-deployment in areas that are under a formal red weather alert, if any?
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13049
What advice has the Minister or her officials commissioned or received regarding swift water pre-deployment in areas that have recently flooded, if any?
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13050
What advice has the Minister or her officials commissioned or received regarding swift water pre-deployment in areas that have a known flood risk, if any?
Answered by
Hon Brooke van Velden
Member for Tāmaki · ACT Party · Minister of Internal Affairs
Answer
On 6 and 16 March 2026 my office received copies of media responses from Fire and Emergency New Zealand to Radio New Zealand relating to pre-deployment of specialist water rescue teams (SWRT) during the severe weather events of 13 -16 February 2026 in Otorohanga, the severe weather events of 22 January 2026 in Rotorua, and the June 2025 Nelson flooding event. On 25 March I received a copy of Fire and Emergency’s response to NZ Herald regarding pre-deployment of firefighters with specialist skills in water rescue to Whangarei and Auckland. On 9 April my office received a copy of internal Fire and Emergency communication regarding preparedness for Cyclone Vaianu. I received further updates on 10 April and 12 April regarding pre-deployment of specialist resources, including Fire and Emergency’s Specialist Water Rescue Teams.