11. Question No. 11—Emergency ManagementRACHEL BOYACK (Labour—Nelson) to the Minister for Emergency ManagementQuestion No. 11—Emergency Management11. RACHEL BOYACK (Labour—Nelson) to the Minister for Emergency Management: How is the Government supporting Nelson and Marlborough through recent severe weather events and flooding?Hon KIERAN McANULTY (Minister for Emergency Management): Thank you very much Mr Speaker. I know this House will join me in acknowledging the communities in the top of the South Island who have been affected by severe weather flooding and slips. This past week has been really tough for them with a long and challenging recovery ahead. Emergency management professionals and volunteers are working hard on the ground and continue to support people in need of help. The local mayors have been in regular contact and I have met with them in the affected areas to get a firsthand understanding of what support is required from the Government. So far we've provided initial contributions of $400000 to the mayoral relief funds across Nelson-Tasman and Marlborough to support these communities as they assess the full extent of the damage and begin the clean-up. The mayoral fund is a discretionary fund to get the money out to communities immediately. Having seen the impact of the severe weather firsthand I know more support will be required and we stand ready to assist.Rachel Boyack: How has the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) responded to this emergency?Hon KIERAN McANULTY: When the forecasts of incoming severe weather were received NEMA activated its national coordination centre to respond to these emergencies and to support the activities of local civil defence groups. NEMA has also deployed staff and emergency management assistance teams and personnel to the hard-hit region. Regional emergency management advisers from NEMA have been deployed to Nelson-Tasman and Marlborough and are assisting with the ongoing response and assessing the transition to recovery. Both regions are assessing damage and Government officials are in location to assist. These efforts are led by regional civil defence and emergency management (CDEM) groups with NEMA in position to assist where required with personnel and expertise. I want to thank everyone who has moved quickly to respond to this event—and those in Northland Taranaki and the West Coast—the regional CDEM groups local iwi volunteers first responders and civil defence personnel from across the country who have stepped up to keep people safe.Rachel Boyack: What is the Government doing to better prepare New Zealanders for these kinds of emergencies?Hon KIERAN McANULTY: Since 2020 the Government has invested $217 million in 55 flood-protection projects across New Zealand. This is in addition to the payments the Government makes to councils to repair damaged stopbanks through their emergency management system. The national adaptation plan launched at the start of the month will ensure that communities have the information and support they need to prepare for the impacts of climate change including more frequent and severe flood events. The national adaptation plan brings together more than 120 actions that together provide a blueprint for more resilient communities where everything from our homes to the way we grow our food is protected from the worst effects of climate change. The national adaptation plan will outline the steps the Government will take over the next six years to respond to these risks. The National Emergency Management Agency has recently rolled out two flooding life-safety public education campaigns: Flood Waters Are Deep Trouble" and "Get The Flood Out"."