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Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee
23 February 2023
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Recovery
Manager appointment process and interim process - January Floods and Cyclone
Gabrielle
File No.: CP2023/01510
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To approve the selection criteria and process for the appointment of
the Recovery Manager for the recovery from the January floods and Cyclone
Gabrielle under section 29 of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002.
2. To receive an update on the interim arrangements to be put in place
until the Recovery Manager for the recovery from the January floods and Cyclone
Gabrielle is appointed.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
3. Flooding
in late January 2023 and the passage of Cyclone Gabrielle mean Auckland
experienced two natural disasters within a period of three weeks, culminating
in declarations of a local State of Emergency and, for just the third time
ever, a State of National Emergency.
4. The
initial response underway to address the impacts of the January Floods was then
broadened to respond to the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. Effectively, the
response is happening as one continuous operation. The recovery phase will similarly
address the impacts and consequences of both.
5. The
scale and scope of the recovery required necessitates the appointment of a
suitably qualified and experienced person to perform the role of Recovery
Manager, in a fulltime capacity reporting to the Chief Executive of Auckland
Council for at least 12 months.
6. Balancing
the time required to recruit a Recovery Manager with the urgent need for their
commencement has resulted in the proposals:
· For
the establishment of a selection panel to expedite the selection of an
appropriately qualified and experienced person for Recovery Manager for the
January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. The final appointment is proposed to be
recommended to the Governing Body for their decision
· For
a streamlined selection process for the Recovery Manager which involves seeking
nominations from governing body, local board, and Independent Māori
Statutory Board members, the Minister for Auckland, and the council’s
executive team, a long-listing process, seeking of expressions of interest from
long-listed candidates, a short-listing process and identification of a
preferred candidate (and an alternate) by the selection panel for
recommendation to the Governing Body
· For
selection criteria (skills, competencies and experience) for the Group Recovery
Manager role which reflect the importance of this role to Auckland’s
recovery effort. A senior highly skilled and knowledgeable person is sought who
can provide effective leadership on the Auckland context, with its complex
governance arrangements, multiple large organisations/agencies and groups
contributing to the recovery, and a need to work closely and effectively with a
variety of stakeholders and communities.
· Acknowledging
that the scale of the recovery and significant funding requirements mean that
it is essential that the Governing Body has full confidence in the Group
Recovery Manager, it is proposed that the CDEM Group delegate the authority to
appoint the Group Recovery Manager for the January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle
to the Governing Body.
· Supporting
the priority need for planning and preparations for recovery to continue under
interim Recovery Managers, who have previously been appointed as Recovery
Managers by the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee.
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Civil Defence and
Emergency Management Committee:
a) whakaae / approve the establishment of a selection panel to
expedite the selection of an appropriately qualified and experienced person to
be the Group Recovery Manager for the January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. The
panel will comprise:
i) Mayor
Wayne Brown (Chair)
ii) Deputy
Mayor Desley Simpson
iii) Councillor
Sharon Stewart
iv) Jim
Stabback, Chief Executive
v) A
Central Government and/or National Emergency Management Agency representative
vi) A
member of the Independent Māori Statutory Board
b) tautapa / delegate to the selection panel to identify and
recommend the Group Recovery Manager for the January Floods and Cyclone
Gabrielle appointment to the Governing Body
c) whakaae / approve the selection criteria (skills,
competencies and experience) sought for the Group Recovery Manager as set out
in this report
d) tautapa / delegate the authority to appoint the Group
Recovery Manager for the January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle to Auckland
Council’s Governing Body
e) kopou / appoint Phil Wilson as the interim Recovery Manager
for the January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, until the Group Recovery Manager
for the January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle recommended by the selection panel
to the Governing Body is appointed and formally takes up the role
f) kopou / appoint Mace Ward as Deputy Recovery Manager for the
January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle.
Horopaki
Context
January Floods and
Cyclone Gabrielle - Response
7. A
local State of Emergency was declared during the record-breaking rainfall event
on 27 January 2023 which impacted almost the entire Auckland region causing
widespread flooding and landslips. Heavy rainfall periods through to 1 February
2023 caused further flooding and landslips. People were evacuated from flooded
properties and there were four confirmed deaths. There was significant damage
to housing, infrastructure and utilities. The State of Emergency was extended
to 10 February 2023.
8. Monitoring
of path and progress of tropical Cyclone Gabrielle forecast a deep system would
pass over the top of the North Island, including over or near Auckland. On
Thursday 9 February, the State of Emergency was extended a further 7 days until
Friday 17 February 2023.
9. The
worst of the storm was experienced over Monday and Tuesday (13 and 14 February)
with high winds, trees down, extensive power outages, some localised flooding
and slips. West coast communities were isolated, homes made uninhabitable and
infrastructure suffered further damage. There were two further fatalities.
Ground movement, power outages and impaired services from damaged
infrastructure continue to have ongoing impacts on communities.
10. Cyclone
Gabrielle has significant impacts across six regions including Auckland. A
state of National Emergency was declared on 14 February 2023 for the Northland,
Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti and Hawkes Bay regions, the latter experiencing large areas of
devastation. This is only the third time a National Emergency has been
declared.
11. The
response underway to the unprecedented rainfall of January 27 was broadened in
scope to respond to the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle.
January
Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle - Recovery
12. Under
the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, recovery means the coordinated
efforts and processes to bring about the immediate, medium and long-term
holistic regeneration and enhancement of a community following an emergency.
Recovery activities to address the consequences of emergencies include:
· the assessment and ongoing monitoring of the needs of a community
affected by the emergency
· the co-ordination and integration of planning, decisions, actions,
and resources
· measures to support—
o the regeneration, restoration, and enhancement of communities across
the four environments (built, natural, social, and economic)
o the cultural and physical well-being of individuals and their
communities
o government and non-government organisations and entities working
together
· measures to enable community participation in recovery planning
· new measures—
o to reduce risks from hazards
o to build resilience. (From section 4).
13. The
national framework for recovery has four pou, community recovery, economic
recovery, built environment recovery and natural environment recovery. The
Response to Recovery Transition Report identifies areas for the recovery, which
include:
· people and families displaced from their homes
· community needs including psychosocial needs
· repairs to infrastructure damaged by slips and treefall, including
power and communications outages and restricted access to isolated communities
· urban and rural economy including damaged premises, loss of stock,
interrupted production and business disruption
· direct and indirect impacts on iwi and Māori.
14. A
Recovery Plan will be developed with extensive community engagement across the
four pou, to set goals and objectives. For example, the objectives for the
recovery from Cyclones Debbie and Cook (2017) were:
· reconnecting our community
· restoring natural and rural environments
· repairing homes and restoring our communities
· regenerating the economy
· working with iwi in partnership.
15. Work
undertaken as a part of the response to the January Floods in preparation for
recovery was adapted to address the severity of the combined impacts of the
January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, and their consequences. This combined
recovery will be of a scale and scope not previously seen in Auckland.
Affecting most of the Auckland region, the recovery needs to address impacts
and consequences across the region from the north to the south, including
rural, urban, residential and business areas. The recovery will be complex, require significant engagement with
Auckland communities, and be prolonged. The recovery is likely to include the
interface with planning, rehabilitation, managed retreat versus mitigation,
compensation, relocations, and insurance issues. It is estimated the Recovery
Manager will need to be appointed for at least 12 months.
16. For
Auckland Council, establishing and maintaining the recovery will be a
significant commitment, necessitate unplanned expenditure and generate a
significant workload for some parts of Auckland Council operations in addition
to business as usual. It will require the coordination of resources across the
council group and oversight from Auckland Council’s Governing Body.
17. A
Group Recovery Manager is yet to be put in place to lead the recovery. The role
of Recovery Managers is a statutory role. Recovery Managers are appointed by
the Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group under section 29 of the
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 (CDEM Act). The Act requires
recovery to be led by suitably qualified and experienced persons to perform the
functions and duties of a Recovery Manager, appropriate to the scale of the
recovery required.
18. The
Recovery Manager may also need to exercise the powers available during a
Transition Period. Powers may only be exercised if to do so is in the public
interest and necessary or desirable to ensure a timely and effective recovery
and proportionate to the circumstances. (These powers are like those available
under a declared State of Emergency).
19. Given
the scale of the recovery, the significant funding required that will need to
be approved by the Governing Body and the fact that membership of the CDEM
Group comprises Auckland Council, it is considered appropriate that the
decision on the appointment be made by Auckland Council’s Governing Body.
Under section 18(1) of the CDEM Act the CDEM Group has the power to
delegate any of its functions to any member of the Group. It is therefore
recommended that the CDEM group delegate the authority to appoint the Group
Recovery Manager for the January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle to Auckland
Council’s Governing Body.
20. Given
the significant public interest in the recovery from communities across the
Auckland region, it is appropriate that the full Governing Body approve the
appointment of the Group Recovery Manager.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
Recovery Manager
21. The
selection of a person appropriate to the role of Group Recovery Manager, as
reported to the Extraordinary Meeting of the Civil Defence and Emergency
Management Committee on 9 February 2023, identified functional elements
outlined in guidance provided by the National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA), essential and desirable attributes, as well as an understanding of
Auckland to be effective. The Recovery Manager role is full-time reporting to
the Chief Executive of Auckland Council and will require the successful
candidate to step aside from current roles.
22. Balancing the
time required to acquire the services of appropriate candidates and the
immediate need to fill the position to ensure a timely and orderly transition
to recovery has proved complex. It has become necessary to find ways to
accelerate the selection process enabling the Recovery Manager to commence the
role expeditiously. The selection process should be responsive to the scale and
nature of the combined, region-wide impacts of the January Floods and Cyclone
Gabrielle.
Description
of role
23. The
Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Competency Framework role map sets
out the role of the Recovery Manager.
24. The
role of the CDEM Group Recovery Manager in an emergency is to co‑ordinate
the recovery activity within their region.
25. The
Recovery Manager ensures:
· planning, prioritisation, and management functions are undertaken
· effective reporting mechanisms are in place
· government is informed of local and regional issues
· recovery resources are identified and obtained as required
· information is provided on the impact of the event on the affected
area, and
· emerging issues are identified, and solutions sought.
Proposed selection criteria
26. The selection
of a Recovery Manager is an important decision that will, in part, contribute
to the success of the recovery. A highly skilled and knowledgeable person is
sought, in possession of a number of attributes to provide effective leadership
in the Auckland context, with its complex governance arrangements, multiple
important, large organisations and a need to work closely with iwi, mataawaka
and central government.
27. The proposed
selection criteria have been informed from a range of sources including the
CDEM Competency Framework role map.
28. The Recovery
Manager will require demonstrated skills, competencies and experience in some
or all of the following:
· governance, senior executive or similar leadership experience
· strong profile and reputation in the regional/national context
· familiarity with the workings of central and local government
· the ability to influence and manage across the range of sectors and
agencies/groups that will be involved in the Auckland recovery
· knowledge of recovery concepts and structures
· familiarity with the principles of integrated risk management
· knowledge of CDEM and other relevant legislation
· ability to think strategically and critically and take a broad
perspective on issues
· sound judgement, decision-making and problem-solving skills
· excellent relationship-building and communication skills
· experience in complex stakeholder and community engagement
· knowledge of the diverse communities of Auckland
· knowledge of the issues of significance for Māori in
Tāmaki Makaurau and council’s Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.
29. Other factors
that may be relevant:
· availability and capacity to commence the position as soon as
possible
· any identified actual or potential conflicts of interest.
Selection panel
30. A selection
panel process is proposed to expedite the appointment process. It is proposed
that the panel will have delegations for identifying candidates for the role of
Group Recovery Manager for the January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle and making
a recommendation to the Governing Body on the final appointment.
31. It is
proposed that Mayor Wayne Brown, Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, and Councillor
Sharon Stewart be appointed to the selection panel, with the Mayor as chair of
the panel.
32. The Recovery
Manager will report to Auckland Council’s Chief Executive, Jim Stabback.
It is therefore proposed that the Chief Executive is a member of the selection
panel.
33. The Ministers
for Auckland and for Emergency Management have a strong interest in
Auckland’s recovery as does central government generally. Being able to
work across local and central government is a key attribute the Recovery
Manager needs to possess. NEMA is responsible for New Zealand’s emergency
management framework, including recovery. Accordingly, it is proposed that
central government and/or NEMA provide a member of the selection panel.
34. It is also
appropriate that a member of the Independent Māori Statutory Board be on
the selection panel.
35. If approved
by the CDEM Group, the selection panel will use the selection criteria set out
in this report.
Proposed selection process
36. The proposed
process to appoint the Recovery Manager is set out below and establishes a
robust process within the constrained timeframe:
1) Nominations of
potential Recovery Managers sought to establish potential candidates (Note:
there will be a short window for nominations to be provided). Nominations will
be sought from:
· governing
body members
· local
board members
· Independent
Māori Statutory Board members
· the
Minister for Auckland
· Council’s
executive team.
2) Staff will
collate all nominations, conduct a high-level review against the selection
criteria and (where necessary) refine to a long list of candidates.
3) Expressions of
interest (EOIs) sent to long-listed nominees. The EOI will seek a copy of their
most recent curriculum vitae and a cover letter which includes:
· relevant
skills, knowledge and experience
· statement
of availability/capacity to undertake the position as soon as possible
· remuneration
expectations
· any
identified actual or potential conflicts of interest.
3) Staff assess the EOIs received against the key
competencies approved by this Committee to form a shortlist for consideration
at a meeting of the Selection Panel. The Selection Panel identifies a
preferred candidate (and an alternate if preferred candidate unavailable) for
appointment at this meeting. (Note: Time constraints mean conducting formal
interviews with short-listed candidates may not be possible).
4) Selection Panel recommends appointment of preferred
candidate (and an alternate if preferred candidate is unavailable) to a meeting
of the Governing Body.
5) The Governing Body receives the Selection
Panel’s recommendations and resolves to appoint the Group Recovery
Manager for the January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle.
Interim Arrangements
37. Planning and
preparations for the recovery are underway. They will require significant
leadership and decision-making authority as the transition from the response
phase to the commencement of recovery approaches.
38. At its
meeting on 9 February 2023, the Civil Defence and Emergency Management
Committee endorsed an existing Recovery Manager to the role of Recovery Manager
for the January floods and Cyclone Gabrielle for an interim period until a
longer-term appointment is made.
39. It is
proposed that the leadership and decision-making and the priority accorded to
preparations for recovery can be met through interim arrangements. It is
proposed that Phil Wilson, Auckland Council’s Director, Governance &
CCO Partnerships take on the role of Recovery Manager in the interim. Phil has
been providing leadership behind the scenes and taking a lead role in shaping
preparations for recovery. Phil was appointed Recovery Manager for Covid-19 by
the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee when, in the earlier
stages the pandemic was being managed under the Civil Defence Emergency
Management Act 2002. Phil is also listed in Appendix 1 to the Auckland CDEM
Group Plan as a Recovery Manager and is a suitably qualified and experienced
person to perform this role.
40. It is
proposed that Mace Ward, Executive – Strategic Programmes and
Relationships support Phil as his deputy. Mace has been lead controller through
the response to the January Floods, Cyclone Gabrielle and Covid-19. Mace has
been an appointed Recovery Manager alongside his appointment as Controller,
since at least 2016. It is also proposed that Mace stay on as deputy to the
selected Recovery Manager, given the depth of his experience and in particular,
his knowledge of the events, the response and issues likely to arise through
the recovery. Mace is a suitably qualified and experienced person to perform
these roles.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
41. The
appointment of Recovery Manager under the Civil Defence Emergency Management
Act 2002 is not a decision that impacts on greenhouse gas emissions or
approaches to reduce emissions.
42. The recovery
from the January 2023 Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle may identify opportunities
to provide additional benefit in the context of climate change.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
43. The
appointment of the Recovery Manager for the recovery from the January Floods
and Cyclone Gabrielle and interim arrangements support collaborative effort
across the Council Group to support Auckland’s recovery.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
44. The impacts
of the January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle were experienced across the
Auckland region and are of significant interest to local communities and their
local boards. The recovery will involve significant local board engagement.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
45. Mana whenua
and mataawaka living in Auckland were impacted by the January Floods and
Cyclone Gabrielle as individuals and whānau and through impacts on marae
and sites of cultural significance. Many marae acted as community hubs
providing support to those impacted by the weather event.
46. The recovery
is an opportunity to partner with iwi, mataawaka, marae and Māori
businesses. Areas for consideration could include the use of marae and
Māori-led organisations in delivering recovery activities to their
communities, responding to impacts on the natural environment, including native
species and ecosystems, and changes to land use and stormwater systems to
enhance the mauri of waterways in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
47. The financial
implications for Auckland’s recovery will be significant and captured
through the required financial reporting. The cost and budget funding details
are yet to be finalised for this role. This, however, should not interfere with
the above appointment of the Recovery Manager. The proposed selection process
will be managed from within existing budget.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
48. The
Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group is required to appoint a
suitably qualified and experienced Recovery Manager for recovery from the
January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. The proposed interim appointment enables
a Recovery Manager to be in place immediately, whilst enabling a robust and efficient
process to take place to find the most suitable longer-term appointee for this
important role.
49. Risk
management is applied in the disciplines of emergency management. Managing risk
will be embedded in the recovery from the January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle,
as it was in the response.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
50. Subject to
approval of the recommendations in this report, staff will move with pace to
facilitate the Group Recovery Manager selection and appointment process.
51. The interim
appointments to Recovery Manager and Deputy Recovery Manager will be effective
immediately.
52. In
recognition of the region-wide impacts and community interest, the Governing
Body will receive updates at its regular monthly meetings and the Civil Defence
and Emergency Management Committee will receive updates to its regular quarterly
meetings.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
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No.
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Title
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Page
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a⇨
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Density Map based on Rapid Building Assessments and
Flood Reports - January Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle
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Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
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Authors
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Wayne Brown - Principal Recovery Advisor
Mace Ward - General Manager Parks, Sports and
Recreation
Sarah Johnstone-Smith - Principal Advisor
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Authorisers
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Phil Wilson - Director, Governance & CCO
Partnerships
Jim Stabback - Tumu Whakarae / Chief Executive
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