Southland Local Advisory Committee members appointed
26 August 2024
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has confirmed the nine people who will form the next Local Advisory Committee (LAC) in Southland.
The LAC members were selected by Fire and Emergency’s Board and will provide advice that helps better support their community to reduce risk, prepare for and respond to emergencies, and recover quickly when they happen.
Southland District Manager Julian Tohiariki says the newly appointed committee brings together people from across various communities and experiences.
"All LAC members are well respected and connected within their communities. They represent a diverse range of interests and offer strong local knowledge and we look forward to working with them and the value they will bring.
"The committee will provide a new voice for these communities, helping us get our emergency planning right and strengthening local relationships, as well as providing independent advice to our Board," says Julian Tohiariki.
The committee’s first task will be to plan how to best engage and seek feedback from stakeholders across their community about local needs, and to build a shared understanding with the community about the service Fire and Emergency can and should be delivering.
"Engagement is expected to get underway in early 2025 so you’ll start hearing more about this committee in the coming months."
You can read more details about the newly appointed members in each local area on Fire and Emergency’s website.
ENDS
Southland Local Advisory Committee
- Tracey Wright-Tawha (Chair)
- Gary Tong (Deputy Chair)
- Tracy Hicks
- Beryl Wilcox
- Alistair McKenzie
- Himani Galbraith
- Carla Harper
- Chris Dillon
- John Twidle
Notes for the editor
We are establishing 16 LACs across the country.
LACs are currently operating in Northland, Tairāwhiti, Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough, West Coast, Otago, and Chatham Islands. Waikato, Taranaki, Nelson-Tasman, and Southland have their induction meetings in September 2024.
We envisage having appointments made to the Bay of Plenty and Manawatū-Whanganui LACs before the end of 2024. Planning is underway for the establishment of the remaining LACs in Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury by the middle of 2025.