12. Question No. 12—Emergency ManagementWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland) to the Acting Minister for Emergency ManagementQuestion No. 12—Emergency Management12. WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland) to the Acting Minister for Emergency Management: How does Budget 2021 help ensure our emergency management systems are geared towards an inclusive community-led response to natural disasters and health events?Hon KRIS FAAFOI (Acting Minister for Emergency Management): Talofa lava Mr Speaker. Budget 2021 provided a $46.6 million funding boost for the National Emergency Management Agency to strengthen our emergency management system and make our communities safer and more resilient to natural disasters and other emergencies. As demonstrated earlier this week these emergencies can impact anyone anywhere at any time and this is an investment that will benefit every New Zealander. This initiative realises the Government's manifesto commitments to ensure our emergency management systems are geared towards an exclusive community-led response to emergency events. And can I acknowledge Minister Kiri Allan whose strong advocacy for the emergency management cause secured the funding in this year's Budget.Willow-Jean Prime: How will this funding help communities?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: Talofa Mr Speaker. Well strong communities need a responsive and inclusive emergency management system that is up to the task and empowers them in times of crisis. As an example we've seen time and time again how iwi have sprung into action to support communities impacted by disasters and this funding will enable meaningful partnership with iwi Māori in our emergency management system. This funding will increase opportunities for critically important work in the emergency management sector to keep our community safe.Willow-Jean Prime: What will this funding deliver?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: Talofa lava Mr Speaker. The funding boost will lift the performance of the emergency management system at the local national and regional level and empower communities before during and after emergencies. The improvements that this funding will enable are growing the role of iwi Māori in emergency management and integrating iwi and Māori perspectives and tikanga into responses; a stronger more professionalised emergency management workforce; greater coordination and planning across agencies involved in preparing and responding to emergencies and targeted initiatives to support disproportionately affected communities; and improved hazard risk management expertise. This is a great investment to keep our communities safe and with that I wish everyone a very safe Queen's Birthday weekend.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Why has the recent natural disaster in Canterbury only been classified as a moderate event?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: I think that is a question for the Minister of primary industries in terms of the $500000 funding that he announced on Tuesday I believe. In terms of my role as Acting Minister for Emergency Management an initial contribution of $100000 has been made through the emergency response. As the member will know the assessment of the damage is still continuing in the region and as that comes to further light the Government will surely respond to any requests that come from the region.