Resources for lifeline utilities

Find reports and resources for work relating to lifeline utilities.

There are many existing reports and resources that people and organisations can use.

There are two key observations from existing reports.

Many assets are vulnerable to natural hazards. Particularly those located where there might be ground deformation or flooding.
All lifeline utilities are dependent on other lifeline utilities. For example, telecommunications need electricity.

There have been many improvements in the past two decades. The Auckland Engineering Lifelines Group create a framework on benefiting from lifelines projects. It outlines how lifeline utilities can apply project results.

How to benefit from Lifelines Projects report (.pdf 709kb)

Aotearoa-New Zealand’s Critical Infrastructure: A National Vulnerability Assessment

The National Vulnerability Assessment is a report from the New Zealand Lifelines Council. It:

provides a unique strategic perspective of all infrastructure services,
promotes awareness of interdependencies, and
promotes resilience investment in infrastructure.

This third edition was released in 2023. It updates all sections of the report. It also adds:

more ‘critical infrastructure’ sectors (Flood Protection, Solid Waste, Fast Moving Consumer Goods and Financial Payments),
definitions, criteria and identification of Critical National Infrastructure,
increased focus on community needs and their contributions to resilience, and
climate change implications for national infrastructure and mitigation/adaptation pathways.

The report is presented in three Parts.

Previous editions

Climate Change

The Ministry for the Environment has worked with Lifeline Groups to analyse potential effects of climate change on lifeline utilities and other infrastructure.

Learn about the Ministry for the Environment’s climate change work at http://www.mfe.govt.nz/climate-change/

Examples of Major Lifelines Reports

Many regions, districts and cities have completed comprehensive lifelines projects and studies.

Key observations and outcomes

Key observations from Lifelines Projects, overseas study tours and New Zealand experience include:

Many Utility assets are highly vulnerable to natural hazards, particularly those located where ground deformation could occur or in floodplains.
All Utilities are critically dependent on other Utilities. Electricity is needed for pumps and telecommunications (to mention two examples), telecommunications is needed for control equipment and emergency response, and road access is needed for reconnaissance and access to sites where repairs are needed. Restoring services to other Utilities (and to their contractors and consultants) is therefore vital for the broader community recovery.
There is also a growing awareness of vulnerabilities within individual Utility organisations. For example, outsourcing key functions can add to service continuity challenges especially in emergencies.

A considerable range of mitigation improvements have been undertaken by individual Lifeline Utilities in the past two decades. Lifeline Group activities have often sharpened the focus and leant a greater sense of urgency to this valuable work, much of which is not expensive. Individual and collective Lifeline mitigation work proved most valuable in facilitating resumption of Christchurch infrastructure services following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

Lifeline Group Projects and Activities November 2012 Update (.doc 516k)

Lifeline Projects and Reports

Many regions, districts and cities have completed comprehensive lifelines projects and studies. Some are available below, others may be available on website, or on request of the applicable lifelines groups.