The new Emergency Management Act 2026 of New Zealand, which was passed following a series of major disasters and investigations that questioned the country's capacity to manage crises, is recognized as one of the most significant improvements in the last two decades.
The Importance of Relationships in Crisis Management
Research shows that effective coordination in New Zealand's crisis management system depends on the relationships between individuals and organizations. These relationships, which may seem intangible, play a crucial role in the success of collaborations. National, regional, and local structures, defined entities, and established programs help create the necessary authority and accountability, but disasters often operate beyond these boundaries. For example, the floods of 2023 in Auckland and Cyclone Gabrielle required coordination among multiple organizations under uncertain conditions and with incomplete information.
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Challenges and Weaknesses in Coordination
Our research, based on interviews with 40 participants from various organizations, revealed that relationships and trust among organizations are crucial conditions for effective collaboration. Network analysis also showed that key players and "brokers" can transfer information across organizational boundaries. However, reliance on specific individuals can create vulnerabilities; for instance, if a responsible person changes or is unavailable during a crisis, this can lead to weaknesses in coordination.
Additionally, multiple barriers such as organizational silos, scattered information, and unclear roles can impact the effectiveness of crisis management. Creating new committees or rewriting programs alone cannot establish the trust and relationships necessary for effective work under pressure.
The new emergency management law provides an opportunity to consider communication conditions and relationships among organizations alongside formal structures. This law clarifies roles and responsibilities and emphasizes the principle that risks should be managed at the lowest appropriate level by those best positioned to handle them.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of this law will be tested during crises that cannot be fully anticipated. At that time, the key question will be whether organizations can collaborate effectively when needed.
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