Pursuant to section 68 of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, I, Alfred Wesley McAlister Preece, declare that a state of local emergency exists in the Chatham Islands Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Area owing to Cyclone Pam and complications with rural fire.

The state of local emergency comes into force immediately on the making of this declaration, and expires seven days after the time and date on which it comes into force (unless extended or terminated at an earlier time).

Declared By: Alfred Wesley McAlister Preece.

Designation: Mayor, Chatham Islands Council.

Time and Date of Declaration: 1.35pm (Chatham Islands Time) on 16 March 2015.