More frequent states of emergencies a concern for councils

Data analysis from Infometrics has shown that storm and flooding-related emergencies are happening more frequently in New Zealand now than 10 years ago.

Last year New Zealand experienced 72 days where different regions have been under a declared State of Emergency. This is the third-most days New Zealand has been under a State of Emergency in the past 25 years; behind only 2011 (88 days, including 67 days due to the Christchurch earthquake) and a record 91 days in 2023 — which was dominated by the response to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Over the past ten years New Zealand has averaged 55.9 days annually under a State of Emergency each year, and 66.6 days over the last five. In the 10 years prior to this, New Zealand averaged only 13.4 days per year.