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Government in Crisis

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Name:Date:

Government in Crisis

Read the scenario and evidence, then answer each question. Kōwhai Bay is a fictional town in Aotearoa New Zealand. Use evidence from the worksheet to explain your thinking.

Scenario: decisions under pressure

After two days of intense rain, the Kōwhai River overflowed. Several roads flooded and about 900 people were told to leave low-lying homes. The district council opened a community centre as an evacuation hub. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) helped coordinate information and resources between central government and local responders. Police closed unsafe roads, Fire and Emergency New Zealand helped with rescues, and Civil Defence volunteers delivered food and blankets. The Ministry of Health arranged extra support for a nearby care home. Mobile coverage failed in some areas, so not everyone received the first text alert. Some residents who spoke little English said the updates were difficult to understand. The government promised emergency assistance for affected households, but some people were unsure how to apply.

Group or agency

Action described in the scenario

District council

Opened a community centre as an evacuation hub

NEMA

Helped coordinate information and resources

Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Closed unsafe roads and helped with rescues

Ministry of Health

Arranged extra support for a nearby care home

Civil Defence volunteers

Delivered food and blankets

Investigate the response

Look for both effective action and gaps in the response.

1.Select the best explanation of why several organisations were involved in the Kōwhai Bay response.

A. Each organisation has a different role, and working together helps meet safety, coordination and welfare needs.
B. Local councils are not allowed to make any emergency decisions.
C. Volunteers take over all government responsibilities during a flood.
D. Central government is responsible only for paying for damaged homes.

2.Use the evidence table to match each need to the agency or group whose action most directly addressed it: coordinating government information; keeping people away from dangerous roads; supporting the care home.

Coordinating government information
Keeping people away from dangerous roads
Supporting the care home

Ministry of Health
NEMA
Police

3.Identify two actions in the scenario that helped protect people during the flood. For each, explain how it reduced danger or met an immediate need.

4.The first text alert did not reach everyone, and some updates were difficult for residents with limited English. Which statement best identifies the main communication problem?

A. The response relied on communication methods that did not work equally well for everyone.
B. Emergency updates should only be sent after the flood has ended.
C. Residents should be expected to find information without government help.
D. The council should stop communicating until every detail is confirmed.

5.True or false: The scenario shows that emergency response is only the responsibility of central government. Correct the statement if it is false.

6.A resident cannot understand the online assistance form and has limited internet access. Name one practical change the government could make so this resident has a fair chance to apply.

Judge and improve

Good crisis management involves making urgent decisions while treating people fairly and sharing reliable information.

7.Fill in the blank: In the scenario, the group that helped coordinate information and resources between central government and local responders was .

8.Make a judgement: Was the response effective overall? Give one piece of evidence showing a strength and one showing a challenge, then explain your judgement.

9.Recommend one change to prepare for a future flood in Kōwhai Bay. Explain who it would help and how it could improve the response.

10.The government promises emergency assistance but some residents are unsure how to apply. Which public value is most directly strengthened by making the application process clear and accessible, and why?