Emergency monitoring centre opened to keep New Zealand safer

Staff at NEMA’s new Monitoring, Alerting and Reporting (MAR) Centre monitor, assess and report on potential hazards 24/7, and they provide situational awareness when emergencies arise.

Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty launched the new Monitoring, Alerting and Reporting (MAR) Centre at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on 28 June. The new centre is in response to recommendations from the 2018 Ministerial Review following the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake and 2017 Port Hills fire.

The 2018 Ministerial Review into Better Responses to Natural Disasters and Other Emergencies recommended establishing a roundthe-clock operation for monitoring and alerting emergencies enabling more rapid distribution of alerts – particularly in the case of tsunami warnings.

The MAR Centre replaces NEMA’s previous Duty/On-call arrangement with a 24/7 “awake” approach. It is staffed by teams on a rotating roster, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

“Today’s launch of the MAR Centre marks another step towards keeping families and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand safer from natural disasters and other emergencies,” Mr McAnulty said.

“In an emergency, every second counts. In the event of an emergency or natural disaster the MAR Centre will provide fast and accurate alerts to the Government and New

Kieran McAnulty , Minister for Emergency Management

Zealanders about what’s happening and what to do.

The new centre’s mission statement is to inform our partners, the government and the New Zealand public of emerging and imminent natural hazard risks to support a safe and resilient Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Today’s launch is part of our comprehensive plan to strengthen the emergency management system and support inclusive, communityled responses, which has been supported by $46.6m over four years in Budget 2021.

“Until now, NEMA operated on an on-call duty system, and so this new centre will make a massive difference to how quickly NEMA can respond to rapidly escalating events, and the ability to foresee and prepare for other emerging risks.”

“Aotearoa New Zealand experiences many hazards, and the MAR Centre will provide fast and accurate information so that New Zealanders know what to do.” Director of Civil Defence Gary Knowles says.

“Particularly where there is a tsunami threat, we need timely and geographically accurate warnings, and the MAR Centre will provide these.

“Our watch teams will monitor threats, alert the public when it’s needed and report to Government on unfolding situations.

“It will also help regional Civil Defence groups and first responders respond to emergencies in their communities, and provide advice to local and central government.’

The MAR Centre will connect with other agencies and the wider emergency sector so that in the event of an emergency, CDEM groups, local authorities and communities will have the support they need at a national level. They will also get consistent messages about the actions or precautions they can take.

The MAR Centre also brings increased situational awareness of emerging risks, better information sharing with CDEM groups and other 24/7 centres, and faster responses to tsunami alerts.