Severe weather “a clear focus” of NEMA Resilience Fund 2026/27 grants
Source: National Emergency Management Agency
Seventeen projects focusing on community resilience and response to severe weather have been chosen to receive funding through the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Resilience Fund.
The Resilience Fund is administered by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and aims to fund projects that will help communities prepare, reduce risk, respond to and recover from emergencies.
NEMA’s Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management John Price says the selected projects reflect the challenges that Aotearoa New Zealand is facing.
“Every year, it seems like severe weather events are more frequent and hit harder than they ever have before. Some communities are getting hammered year after year, and it’s crucial that NEMA’s Resilience Fund supports their efforts,” John Price says.
“This year, NEMA was delighted to receive proposals that build resilience in so many ways, and it was clear that severe weather was a focus for many applicants.
“From planning tools for disabled people, frameworks to tackle post-emergency rises in family violence, business resilience and land drainage networks, these projects showcase once again the knowledge, skills and innovative drive of our communities.
“We’re also delighted to be funding several iwi/Māori initiatives, including efforts to build Māori capability in emergency management.”
The fund has allocated $883,497 to 17 projects, and John Price says he’s delighted once again at the range and depth of the successful applications.
“This year, the Fund focused on applications that specifically supported the National Disaster Resilience Strategy’s aims, particularly building a culture of resilience in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Projects like these generate ideas that will benefit other communities around the country, and together, we will build a stronger and safer Aotearoa New Zealand.”
The successful applications are:
- Te Whakapakari i te Whakautu Whakahautanga ā-Hapori (Strengthening Community Emergency Response) – $60,000
- Waikato Resilience Video Series – $60,000
- Waikato CDEM Group Power Out, Plan On campaign – $38,250
- Kaipara Land Drainage Strategic Review – $55,500
- Awakino River Flood Modelling – $43,475
- Multi-lingual Children’s Storybook – earthquakes and tsunamis – $35,000
- Prepared Together – $48,000
- Community Emergency Hubs Project – $15,000
- Ngati Tamatera – lwi-led emergency preparedness and community resilience – $70,000
- Embedding family violence risk mitigation into disaster preparedness planning: A capability uplift for CDEM Waikato and the National Sector – $27,500
- Tauranga Moana Iwi Hazard Integration Programme – $100,000
- Mataatua CIMS Capability and Emergency Leadership Programme – $37,000
- Building West Coast Businesses Emergency Preparedness, Connectivity and Continuity Planning – $50,000
- A West Coast Fuel Resilience Project: Review and Update the West Coast Fuel Plan (2022) – $20,000
- Te Rāwhiti Marae Emergency Preparedness – $60,000
- Kia Kaha Ai Te Kupenga Rauora Civil Defence Plan – $30,772
- Tairāwhiti Deployable Emergency Hybrid Energy Systems – $133,000
Notes for editors: about the CDEM Resilience Fund
The CDEM Resilience Fund is a contestable fund to enhance New Zealand’s hazard risk resilience. CDEM Groups, other organisations and individuals are eligible to apply.
Applications were considered by NEMA’s Subject Matter Experts against criteria with emphasis on improved collaboration, improved resilience locally and regionally, and consistent approaches.
The Resilience Fund is distributed on an annual basis. More details are available here: CDEM Resilience Fund – National Emergency Management Agency