Legislation for Effective Post-Disaster Reconstruction/ Efektyvaus Aplinkos Atstatymo Po Stichiniu Nelaimiu Istatymai (Report‪)‬

1. INTRODUCTION The need to develop a resilient community capable of recovering from disasters is of increasing concern in many countries. New Zealand especially is vulnerable to most forms of natural disasters, such as earthquake, volcanic activity, flood, fire, landslips and tsunami. New Zealand therefore has to prepare for the implementation of a robust response and recovery programme. Unfortunately the magnitude of its recent disaster events gives it a relatively limited experience. It has been suggested by Rolfe and Britton (1995) that these local events reflect on New Zealand's state of preparedness; and that major disasters could pose considerable economic, physical and social challenges that will make the task of recovery and reconstruction extensive (Hopkins et al., 1999).