A new office has been established to manage emergency management activities across the three Wairarapa district councils: Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa.
The Emergency Management Office (EMO) was established following a recent internal review of emergency management across the region. The office will work closely with the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) and span the full range of emergency management approaches and practices: risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery.
It will support councils in their efforts to continually improve their emergency management capability to meet the increasing frequency and severity of emergency events affecting Wairarapa.
The office will be based in Masterton in close proximity to the regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). Specific responsibilities include:
- working with councils to develop and enhance the emergency management strategy for the Wairarapa
- managing and supporting engagement between councils and WREMO
- providing council oversight and guidance to WREMO and WREMO-related resources operating in the region
- ongoing work to build emergency management capability and capacity within council operations
- embedding a dedicated, sustainable and resilient local controller capability across Wairarapa (controllers lead EOC operations and activities)
- strengthening relationships with external stakeholders, including emergency services, throughout the region.
Formally opening on 1 July 2025, the office will be led by Simon Taylor who will transition to this role from his current position as Wairarapa Recovery Office (WRO) Programme Manager. The WRO will close on 30 June 2025 with any remaining recovery initiatives transferring to the new EMO.
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