Community expectations with regard to Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) have evolved over recent years in New Zealand.  The experience in Auckland and Northland is built on the principles that: Individuals in the community are the first responders. Community organisations are the first to organise support for affected people.  The majority of the response (in terms of support for people) to an event happens at the local community level.

To reflect this CDEM planning with the community now provide CDEM Local Resilience plans which incorporates simple structures for providing mutual support until official CDEM response can assist.  This includes a local warning system, the identification of their local resources and facilities, and a communication network within the community and with CDEM.

Mr Clive Manley (Auckland Civil Defence Controller, Auckland Council) recently spoke on this at the Australian & New Zealand Disaster and Emergency Management Conference  held at the Mercure Hotel, Brisbane from the 28th to the 30th of May 2013 and discussed Community Planning framework taking into account vulnerable communities, communities with diverse culture and language, and sector based plans, e.g. Visitor Action Plans.