This legislation aims to improve New Zealand's civil defence emergency management capability through:
achieving better integration, communication, and co-ordination between emergency management agencies across a region through the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group
helping communities be prepared by encouraging them to achieve levels of emergency readiness that will reduce the number of effects from disasters
involving lifeline organisations, local businesses, and others who have a vested interest in planning for the safety of the region promote community management for the recovery and return to usual activities after a disaster