Luxon ‘keen’ for response reform

WELLINGTON: National Party leader Christopher Luxon is ‘‘keen’’ to support nonpartisan solutions for improving New Zealand’s emergency response management.

Auckland has been dealing with the aftermath of downpours from Friday night, causing slips and flooding, leading to four deaths and widespread damage to property.

The situation was made worse by continued heavy rains in many areas in the following days — particularly overnight Tuesday and yesterday.

Mr Luxon said yesterday the communications from the authorities were improved.

‘‘It feels much better coordinated . . . which I think is fantastic, and obviously we’re learning which is a good thing.’’

Much of the criticism since the initial downpours has fallen on authorities’ poor and insufficient communication — particularly from the Auckland Council and Mayor Wayne Brown, but also government agencies such as Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

Mr Luxon was one of those who publicly urged the mayor to declare an emergency as the hours dragged on.

He was unaware a state of emergency had actually been signed off by the time he made that plea because it had not been communicated to the public or the media.

He refused to directly criticise the mayor yesterday.

‘‘Look, I think there’s a really good chance as I said right from day one to do a proper review of what’s actually happened, what’s worked well, what hasn’t worked well, how the central agencies have worked with the local government agencies and their interactions.’’

Work needed to be done to improve New Zealand’s emergency response systems.

Mr Luxon was interested in taking a bipartisan approach on such a move.

‘‘[I’m] very keen to work with the Government on all of that.

‘‘This is a New Zealand issue — it’s not a political issue — so from my perspective it’s really making sure that we just look at ways which we can improve our processes.

‘‘In the US, Hurricane Katrina led to a whole catalysing of much better emergency management and response and you can see that a decade later or more that’s what has happened.’’

The Government has confirmed it plans to expand on emergency management legislation that has been in the works since late 2021, allowing central government to intervene if local authorities failed to act. — RNZ