Rick Barker 

Nats copy Labour on civil defence

07.10.2008

National's Civil Defence policy released over the weekend shows a lack of understanding of how Civil Defence and Emergency Management works.

"Despite attempting to criticise the government at every turn on Civil Defence, National has produced a policy that proposes nothing new whatsoever," said Civil Defence Minister Rick Barker.

National talk about joint delivery of civil defence and emergency services. Labour has done that.</...  more +

Proposed appointments to the Independent Police Conduct Authority

26.09.2008

A majority in the House of Representatives today voted to recommend that the Governor-General appoint Allan Galbraith, and Mel Smith, to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

"New appointments will mark the completion of another recommendation of the 2007 report of the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct," said Associate Justice Minister Rick Barker.

"The Commission recommended that membership of the Independent Police Conduct Authority be increased from ...  more +

Daylight saving extension popular

26.09.2008

An overwhelming majority of New Zealanders support the extension to daylight saving, Internal Affairs Minister, Rick Barker, said today.

 The government reviewed and extended the period following public debate and a petition to Parliament.  As a result, daylight saving began a week earlier last year and finished three weeks later this year.  The period now runs from the last Sunday in September to the first Sunday i...  more +

Civil Defence and Emergency Management: Leadership into the Future

24.07.2008

Acknowledgements Ms Susan Reinertson, Administrator of Region Ten for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the United States. Dr Alan Jamieson, chair of the Public Protection and Disaster Relief Working Group. Attendees CDEM Group Chairs and Co-ordinating Executive Group (CEG)Chairs Government department Chief Executives Representatives from other government agencies including the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Social Development, and New Zealand Fire Service. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to host the National Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Forum in Wellington for the third year. A number of you also attended the 2006 and 2007 Forums, but for some it will be their first time attending.

I would like to take this early opportunity to welcome our international keynote speaker, Ms Susan Reinertson from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the United States.    

Susan is responsible for FEMA Region 10 which covers Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington...  more +