Community Response Groups

Are you interested in helping your community in an emergency?

  • Community Response Groups are local groups made up of volunteers who support their community before, during, and after an emergency event.

    There are 13 groups spread across the district, based on geographical boundaries, such as rivers, bridges, or suburbs. The groups are at different stages of development – some have been up and running for a couple of years, while others are just finding their feet.

    The groups are encouraged to support their community in an emergency event by setting up a Community Emergency Hub and helping to solve problems locally where they can. In a major disaster civil defence and first responders will be overwhelmed, supporting those who need help the most, as well as working to re-establish vital networks such as roading, telecommunications, and power. Community Response Groups will help reduce pressure on emergency services and the wider response.

    While the groups are community-led, they also receive training from Emergency Management Otago. Training includes setting up a Community Emergency Hub, operating radios, and community response planning.

    More information about Community Emergency Hubs can be found here.

    To join a group, please contact:

    For Queenstown/Whakatipu Basin

    craig.gibson@otagocdem.govt.nz 

    tasha.black@otagocdem.govt.nz 

    For Wānaka/Upper Clutha

    jacqui.lambeth@otagocdem.govt.nz 

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  • A Community Emergency Hub is a place where the community can coordinate their efforts to help each other during a disaster.

    Objectives of the hub are to:

    • Provide information so that your community knows how to help each other and stay safe.

    • Understand what is happening.

    • Solve problems using what your community has available.

    • Provide a safe gathering place for members of the community to support one another.

    Hubs are run by Community Response Groups who can connect into the official Civil Defence response, both sharing and receiving situation updates, support, and resources.

    More information about Community Emergency Hubs can be found here.

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  • Community Response Groups have identified a primary hub location, and in some cases, an alternative location. Not all hubs will open in an emergency, and it’s possible that a hub location may be moved to another site if the building is unsafe.

    Community Response Group

    Community Emergency Hub primary location

    Community Response Group brochure

    Arrowtown

    Arrowtown Community Centre, 12 Centennial Avenue, Arrowtown

    Download Brochure

    Arthurs Point

    Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park, 70 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point

    Download Brochure

    Fernhill/Sunshine Bay

    Primary:

    Mercure Queenstown Resort, Sainsbury Road, Fernhill

    Alternative:

    Heritage Queenstown, 91 Fernhill Road, Fernhill   

    		 Download Brochure

    Frankton and Quail Rise

    To be determined

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    Gibbston

    Primary:

    Kinross Winery and Cellar Door, 2300 Gibbston Highway

    Acting shelters:

    Mount Rosa Wines, 47 Gibbston Back Road,

    Kawarau Bungy Centre, Gibbston Valley

    Gibbston Valley Winery, 1820 State Highway 6

    		 Download Brochure

    Glenorchy

    Primary:

    The Headwaters Eco Lodge, 42 Oban Street, Glenorchy

    Alternative:

    Glenorchy Hall, 31 Mull St, Glenorchy

    		 Download Brochure

    Hāwea

    Hāwea Flat:

    Hāwea Flat School, 576 Camp Hill Road, Hāwea

    Lake Hāwea:

    Lake Hāwea Community Centre, 28 Myra Street, Lake Hāwea

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    Jack’s Point and Hanley’s Farm

    Jack’s Point Golf Course and Restaurant

    McAdam Drive, Jack’s Point

    		 Download Brochure

    Kelvin Peninsula

    Primary:

    Wakatipu Croquet Club, Jardine Park, Kelvin Heights

    Alternatives:

    Lakeland Park Christian Camp and Convention Centre, 496 Peninsula Road, Kelvin Heights

    Queenstown Golf Club, 759 Peninsula Road, Kelvin Heights

     

    		 Download Brochure

    Kingston

    Kingston Golf Club, 32 Gloucester Street, Kingston

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    Luggate

    Luggate Memorial Centre / Whare Mahana

    		 Download Brochure

    Queenstown Central

    There is currently no Community Response Group in Queenstown central, if you’re interested in helping to start one up, please contact craig.gibson@otagocdem.govt.nz

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    Lake Hayes and Shotover Country

    Shotover Primary School, 57 Stalker Road, Shotover Country

    		 Download Brochure

    Wānaka

    Primary:

    Lake Wānaka Centre, 89 Ardmore Street, Wānaka

    Alternatives:

    Wānaka Community Hub, 34 McDougall St, Wānaka

    The Wānaka Presbyterian Community Church, 94 Tenby Street, Wānaka

    Wānaka Football Club, Kelly’s Flat Reserve, Aubrey Road, Wānaka

    		 Download Brochure


    Note that Community Response Groups are at different stages in their development. Some groups are still working to identify hub locations and develop a brochure. If a community is unable to open a Community Emergency Hub for whatever reason, or they need extra support, Civil Defence will open a centre and provide additional help. Civil Defence-run centres can be set up as information booths, drop-in centres, evacuation centres, welfare centres and, if needed, as emergency shelters. Where possible, emergency accommodation is provided at existing accommodation facilities such as campgrounds, motels, and hotels.

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