2020 EMPA New Zealand award winners

EMPA New Zealand Awards for Excellence in Communication

The Annual EMPA Awards for Excellence in Emergency Communication have been established to recognise those who have made a significant contribution to emergency communications in New Zealand.

This year the EMPA New Zealand Awards were presented as an online event on December 16.

For media

In-depth and balanced coverage of a topic that increases public understanding of a hazard or an emergency response.
Comprehensive and accurate reporting before or during an emergency response, contributing to public safety

Winner
Samantha Olley

Samantha Olley is a journalist for the New Zealand Herald. Her coverage of the Whakaari eruption and aftermath has increased public understanding of the emergency response as well as leading to a better preparedness for any future eruptions.

Samantha Olley

Personal Commendation
Hokonui Radio

Luke Howden, breakfast host on NZME’s Hokonui Radio (Gore’s local station) had his home flooded on the first day of Southland’s February floods. Despite facing personal upheaval and being evacuated from his home, and then from the Hokonui studio, Luke provided almost constant coverage to Gore District residents during the flooding, evacuation, then recovery.

Luke Howden

For emergency communication - Readiness and Resilience

A project or activity that contributes to improved community preparedness and / or resilience.

Winner
New Plymouth District Council

Sort Ya Kit Out! campaign –

A preparedness survey showed less than 30% of our community had some form of a survival kit

  • 7000 flyers

  • 2000 reusable bags

  • 3 supermarket promo days

  • Approximately 50,000 impressions across all platforms

  • Relationships created – New World / More FM / Favour the Brave

  • 25 survival kits won

  • 1 major prize winner

New Plymouth District Council

Highly commended
Palmerston North City Council

Be Prepared series of videos to promote planning and preparedness among community members. Find out more

Palmerston North City Council

For emergency communication - Recovery

Supporting the recovery of a community impacted by an emergency.

Winner
Bay of Plenty CDEM 

Whakaari White Island eruption recovery. Find out more

Bay of Plenty CDEM 

For published research that advances emergency communication by:

  • Improving community preparedness and/or resilience

  • Increasing the effectiveness of communication during an emergency response;

  • Enabling agencies to better support communities recovering from an adverse event.

Highly Commended
Napier Hill Evacuee Study Research Team

A novel multi-stakeholder research project using community workshops and a participant-led survey to understand how agencies could work with communities to plan for and support a tsunami response.

Napier Hill Evacuee Study Research Team

For emergency communication - Response

Communicating effectively during an emergency response.

Winner
Emergency Management Southland

Response to one of the largest floods on record in Southland leading to evacuations of three townships, significant damage to farms, roads, and other infrastructure.

The response coordinated one of New Zealand’s biggest air bridge rescues on record with no lives lost. 

Emergency Management Southland

Highly Commended
Emergency Management Otago

Following the NZ border closure in March 2020 and the Level 4 COVID Lockdown, Emergency Management Otago built on the Queenstown Lakes District Council's immediate response efforts to set up a dedicated communications effort and community network system assisting stranded and struggling foreign nationals.

Emergency Management Otago