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Exercise Rū Whenua Newsletter
February 2024
Welcome to our first Exercise Rū Whenua update newsletter for 2024!
Remember the dates!
A reminder, the exercise will be held over three days:
• 12 June 2024: Phase 1 - Initial impact (functional exercise)
• 26 June 2024: Phase 2 - Sustained response (tabletop exercise)
• 10 July 2024: Phase 3 - Transition to recovery (tabletop exercise)
Scenario development
Exercise Rū Whenua planning is being supported by an Exercise Scenario Working Group that is focused on updating the science that has already been developed as part of Project AF8 and ensuring there is a good scientific base that can inform the development and delivery of Exercise Rū Whenua. The Group will shortly be ready to share the detail of the updated scenario and we will be working to ensure exercise planners have access to the information they need to support the development of their participation in Exercise Rū Whenua.
The SAFER Framework
If you haven't already, take a good look at the South Island Alpine Fault Earthquake Response (SAFER) Framework, which is a key output of AF8, a project to improve knowledge of, readiness for, and resilience to a magnitude 8+ earthquake on the Alpine Fault.
Further upcoming planning workshops
Following on from our two initial Exercise Rū Whenua planning workshops with representatives from CDEM Groups and over 25 national agencies in December 2023, we have two more sessions booked in March 2024 to continue to support exercise development. Please contact exercises@nema.govt.nz if you haven't already received an invitation to one of these sessions and you wish to attend.
Exercise writing tips
A structured approach to exercise development and writing is important in this type of large, multi-agency exercise. Download the CDEM Exercises, Director's Guideline for Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups [DGL 010/19] for information about providing a common approach to exercise planning.
A suite of exercise development templates is also available for you to use to support your exercise development. Download them here.
Check out our webpage
If you haven't already seen it, the Exercise Rū Whenua Warning Order is now available on the NEMA webpage. We also expect to have the Exercise Coordinating Instructions available for download soon - so add the page to your favourites and check back regularly!
