Welfare Coordination Group

Northland’s welfare agencies work together to prepare for an emergency situation.

Purpose

The Northland Welfare Coordination Group (WCG) exists to ensure the coordinated planning and delivery of welfare services by local authorities and partner agencies during emergencies in the Northland region.

Key Responsibilities

WCG members, through the combined resources of their respective agencies, are responsible for:

  • Developing inter-agency planning and coordination, and fostering strong relationships to support welfare response.
  • Providing regional-level advisory and coordination support during emergency situations.
  • Identifying gaps in Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) planning and resources within individual agencies.
  • Escalating identified gaps and proposed solutions to senior agency leadership.
  • Ensuring implementation and maintenance of solutions across agencies.
  • Supporting recovery efforts by liaising with the Group Recovery Manager or Local Recovery Manager.

Why Membership Matters

Participation in the WCG helps welfare agencies understand and fulfill their roles and responsibilities across the 4Rs of emergency management—Reduction, Readiness, Response, and Recovery—as outlined in:

  • The National CDEM Plan 2015
  • The Northland CDEM Group Plan 2021–2026
  • The Group Welfare Plan

The establishment of a Welfare Coordination Group is mandated under Section 65 of the National CDEM Plan 2015.

Meeting Schedule

The Northland WCG meets quarterly or as required to maintain readiness and ensure effective coordination.

Members

The members of the Northland Welfare Coordination Group are:

  • Accident Compensation Corporation
  • Civil Defence Emergency Management
  • Citizens Advice Bureau
  • Department of Corrections
  • Department of Internal Affairs
  • Fale Pasifika 
  • Far North District Council
  • Fire and Emergency New Zealand
  • Hato Hone St John
  • Hearts and Minds
  • Hauora Hokianga Health
  • Inland Revenue Department
  • Iwi representatives  
  • Kaipara District Council
  • Kāinga Ora
  • Mahitahi Hauora
  • Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment - AIR (Temporary Accommodation Services)
  • Ministry of Education
  • Ministry of Primary Industries
  • Ministry of Social Development
  • National Emergency Management Agency
  • Ngati Hine Health
  • Northable
  • Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group
  • NorthTec
  • NZ Police 
  • NZ Red Cross
  • Oranga Tamariki (Ministry for Children)
  • Rural Support Te Tai Tokerau
  • SPCA
  • Tai Timu Tai Pari
  • Te Puni Kōrkiri
  • Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau
  • The Salvation Army
  • Victim Support
  • Volunteering Northland
  • Whangarei District Council
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