13049 (2026). Mike Davidson to the Minister of Internal Affairs

Written Question

Published date: 21 Apr 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	13049 (2026)
Question asked:	07 Apr 2026
Member asking:	Mike Davidson
Portfolio:	Minister of Internal Affairs
Minister replying:	Hon Brooke van Velden
Answer received:	15 Apr 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_13049_2026
Document guid:	f0c8fea6-de6a-4ae2-826f-bfb05181cf67

13049 (2026). Mike Davidson to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What advice has the Minister or her officials commissioned or received regarding swift water pre-deployment in areas that have recently flooded, if any?

Hon Brooke van Velden: On 6 and 16 March 2026 my office received copies of media responses from Fire and Emergency New Zealand to Radio New Zealand relating to pre-deployment of specialist water rescue teams (SWRT) during the severe weather events of 13 -16 February 2026 in Otorohanga, the severe weather events of 22 January 2026 in Rotorua, and the June 2025 Nelson flooding event. On 25 March I received a copy of Fire and Emergency’s response to NZ Herald regarding pre-deployment of firefighters with specialist skills in water rescue to Whangarei and Auckland. On 9 April my office received a copy of internal Fire and Emergency communication regarding preparedness for Cyclone Vaianu. I received further updates on 10 April and 12 April regarding pre-deployment of specialist resources, including Fire and Emergency’s Specialist Water Rescue Teams.