Our role as a local authority

Our main role as a local authority is to maintain essential services and complement Central government’s relief and stimulus initiatives where we can, including helping people and businesses access the support Government is providing.  Central government is taking the lead role in managing public health, in providing income and business support to New Zealanders affected, and in driving economic recovery.

During an event like a pandemic, Civil Defence has a role to play in ensuring all responding agencies are connected. In the Wellington region this is led by the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) with six Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) staffed and run by the relevant councils:

• Kāpiti Coast
• Upper Hutt
• Lower Hutt
• Porirua
• Wellington.

EOCs worked together under a regional framework to ensure response efforts were coordinated.

This is also the case in planning for our recovery. A regional approach allows for opportunities to share information and resources.

Recovery planning for Kāpiti will be driven locally as recovery will look different for each district, and we will continue to coordinate regionally. A dedicated recovery team has been established within Council to work across our district to understand the local impacts of COVID-19 and the needs of our community, and develop a plan to support recovery. We will bring in external expertise and support as needed.