Why does the Govt.nz app include an emergency alert capability, and what analysis, if any, was undertaken of whether that capability duplicates the existing Emergency Mobile Alert system operated by the National Emergency Management Agency?

Answer

I am advised that the emergency alert service in the govt.nz app was designed to receive information from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) alerting service. NEMA uses multiple channels to send warnings and alerts before and during emergencies, and the govt.nz app is one of those channels. The app provides an additional means of receiving alerts in circumstances where a person is unable to receive an Emergency Mobile Alert but has access to an internet connection.