News release
8 December 2015
IAG Celebrates Launch of Resilient New Zealand Report
Resilient New Zealand released its first report today to address a greater role that businesses can play together in
helping New Zealand being better prepared for, and recovering from future natural disasters.
IAG’s New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Jacki Johnson says the report’s recommendations focus on embedding resilience
within businesses and industry associations so they can help our communities in times of natural disasters.
“Recent events in New Zealand, in particular the tragedy of the Canterbury earthquakes, have taught us a great deal
about how to handle future disasters, including the desire from businesses to contribute to the economic and social
well-being of their communities following disasters,” Ms Johnson says.
The project’s lead, Bryce Davies from IAG’s corporate affairs team has led the development of this report, “Contributing
More: Improving the role of business in recovery.” Drawing on discussions with more than 50 business, central and local
government, and community leaders involved in the Canterbury earthquake recovery, it provides recommendations to public
and private sector groups on how they can help facilitate businesses contributing more to future natural disaster
recoveries.
“The report includes important steps businesses can take to ensure they can not only survive natural disasters, but
thrive, and end up in a position where their considerable skills, experience and resources can be used in wider
community recovery.
“It encourages businesses to be proactive, reduce their risks, and build networks that will enable collaboration
opportunities. These are critical elements in ensuring New Zealand recovers well, and quickly, from our next disaster –
whatever, and wherever it is,” Mr Davies said.
In addition, the report recognises the importance of central and local government considering how their frameworks can
best enable the skills and resources of local businesses to be embraced.
“We’ve been thrilled with the support we’ve received from all participants and more broadly from business, community and
government audiences we’ve met with in recent months.
Mr Davies noted the report had been commended by the Minister of Civil Defence Hon. Nikki Kaye. “Businesses have a lot
to contribute to building resilient communities. Your resilience can play a significant role in the speed of recovery of
households, towns and cities, and regions. You also have a lot to offer communities directly, including leadership in
times of crisis. I am delighted to see the private sector taking the initiative in this manner, and I hope we will work
more closely in the future,” says Minister Kaye.
“It’s great to know we’ve created something that will be useful in developing the country’s resilience and which is
supported across different sectors. We’re looking forward to working with these groups to implement our recommendations
and consider what projects Resilient New Zealand will undertake in the future”, Mr Davies said.
A copy of the report can be viewed here: www.resilientnewzealand.co.nz
IAG NZ is a founding member of Resilient New Zealand, an organisation formed earlier this year by Beca, BNZ, IAG, New
Zealand Red Cross and Vodafone to identify, champion and advocate ways New Zealand can be more resilient to natural
disasters.
ENDS