Greater role for businesses in natural disaster recovery

8 December 2015

Greater role for businesses in natural disaster recovery

BusinessNZ has welcomed the release of Resilient New Zealand’s report: Contributing More: Improving the role of business in recovery.

BusinessNZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly says businesses play an important role supporting the economic and social wellbeing of New Zealand communities.

“Businesses will want to protect their employees and families during natural disasters,” Mr O’Reilly said.

“This report highlights that an important step in achieving this is ensuring businesses are proactive in reducing their own risks, establishing disaster plans, and stress testing these plans under a variety of scenarios.

“Not only will this preparation support the wellbeing of their employees, it can assist businesses to keep trading following a disaster, allowing employees to continue to receive wages and salaries.”

Mr O’Reilly said that it was sensible for New Zealand to utilise the considerable expertise and resources businesses possessed.

“After the Canterbury earthquakes, BusinessNZ received hundreds of calls from the business sector offering to assist with the recovery efforts. That gives some indication of the sort of goodwill among businesses and their desire to be involved in recovery efforts.

“Regional industry associations also have an important role to play - such as the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce which promoted resilience and fostered collaboration among local businesses after the Canterbury earthquakes.

“Our strength nationally and regionally is our ability to build networks amongst businesses, government, and community groups. BusinessNZ is committed to building these networks and fostering greater cross-sector collaboration to ensure our country is better prepared for, and able to recover from, future natural disasters.”

Mr O’Reilly said BusinessNZ would continue to work closely with Resilient New Zealand on how it could promote greater resilience amongst its members and the wider business community.

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