Northern Buller communities unite to strengthen Civil Defence resilience

Granity, Ngakawau, and Hector have taken a major step towards resilience, coming together this week for a Civil Defence community planning session that put local leadership and collaboration at the centre of emergency preparedness.

The initiative, supported by the West Coast Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, Buller District Council, and Bathurst Resources, focused on helping residents identify local hazards, map community assets, and build tailored response plans to strengthen their ability to act in the event of earthquakes, landslides, severe weather events, or other emergencies.

Simon Bastion, Buller District Council Regulatory Group Manager and Civil Defence Controller, said: “It’s inspiring to see communities taking ownership of their resilience. These sessions build strong local networks and ensure that when disaster strikes, people know what to do and how to help each other.”

Bathurst Resources GM Export Operations and Civil Defence Controller, Ian Harvey, added: “Our facilities and staff are part of the community, and we’re committed to helping ensure Buller is ready to respond when needed. Supporting Civil Defence is not just good practice—it’s part of our responsibility as a local employer and neighbour.”

The session marks a milestone in Northern Buller’s emergency preparedness and aligns with wider efforts across the West Coast to boost grassroots resilience. Follow-up activities will include further training, resource development, and ongoing support from regional agencies and industry partners.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.