With New Zealand prone to major earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and major storms in recent years, the United Nations' top official on disaster risk is visiting.
Kamal Kishore is here to learn from how the country responded to Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 among other disasters.
He is here to speak to Government departments like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the National Emergency Management Agency to talk about the similarities New Zealand has with other countries grappling with disaster preparation questions.
Mr Kishore says earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters are inevtible, and communities can mitigate the harm of those events if they are prepared and have warning systems in place.
As well as being at the UN - Mr Kishore aslo worked as India's top official on disaster management and led the G20 working group on disaster risk reduction.
Flood damage just outside Riwaka. Photo: SAMUEL RILLSTONE / RNZ
