8 May 2014

In an emergency: move MPs north

5:41 pm on 8 May 2014

The Government has released a draft plan to temporarily relocate Parliament to the navy's base in Auckland in the event of a major disaster in Wellington.

The proposal will be considered by Cabinet.

Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye said the arrangements covered a worst case scenario in which Parliament and Government were unable to function in Wellington.

She said, in that case, they would temporarily relocate to a facility at the Devonport Naval Base.

Ms Kaye said it would be reckless to not have strong plans in place to ensure Parliament could continue even after a major emergency.

She said the draft plan strengthened existing informal arrangements.