Science Advice Panels

Science advice panels provide authoritative and efficient science advice across all 4Rs. The panels are convened by the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management. But science advice panels benefit the whole emergency management system.

Aotearoa Earthquake Science Advisory Panel

The Aotearoa Earthquake Science Advisory Panel (AESAP) coordinates:

  • science advice,
  • consistent messaging, and
  • post-event science.

This happens during:

  • earthquake sequences,
  • slow slip events, or
  • other seismic issues.

AESAP has subgroups for different:

  • science and engineering disciplines,
  • stakeholder groups, and
  • research partnerships.

AESAP membership includes National Emergency Management Agency representatives and subgroup leaders.

AESAP Terms of Reference (.pdf 131kb)

Volcanic Science Advisory Panel

The New Zealand Volcanic Science Advisory Panel (NZVSAP) provides science advice when volcanic activity affects New Zealand.

Panel members work with volcanic groups and programmes. These include:

  • Caldera Advisory Group (CAG),
  • Central Plateau Volcanic Advisory Group (CPVAG),
  • Determining Volcanic Risk in Auckland (DEVORA), and
  • Taranaki Seismic and Volcanic Advisory Group (TSVAG).

These groups and programmes coordinate volcanic activity planning in specific areas. but they may not activate in response to volcanic activity.

NZVSAP Terms of Reference (.pdf 138kb)

Aotearoa New Zealand Space Weather Science Advisory Panel

The Aotearoa New Zealand Space Weather Science Advisory Panel (SWxSAP) provides advice on space weather.

Space weather science advice is still a growing area of knowledge. New Zealand has limited space weather expertise. And it has limited operational infrastructure for monitoring and responding to space weather.

The SWxSAP is in two parts.

  • Science Advisory Panel: The panel provides stewardship and helps develop space weather science capability and capacity.
  • Response Science Advisory Subgroup: The subgroup provides advice to the electricity industry and to emergency management during extreme space weather events.

SWxSAP Terms of Reference (.pdf 161kb)

Severe Weather Science Advisory Panel

The Severe Weather Science Advisory Panel (SeWSAP) provides science advice and coordination across the 4R's of emergency management relating to severe weather risk.

SeWSAP will be used in extreme or complex severe weather emergencies.

It is currently being established.

Severe Weather Science Advisory Panel Terms of Reference (.pdf 255kb)