From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m
Quake Centre Closes Hours Due to Staff Shortages
New Zealand's quake and tsunami monitoring centre shut for eight hours due to staff cuts, risking disaster readiness.
In brief
New Zealand's quake and tsunami monitoring centre shut for eight hours due to staff cuts, risking disaster readiness. New Zealand's geohazard monitoring centre closed for eight hours on Friday due to staff shortages from government funding cuts. Originally reported by RNZ.
Geohazard Centre Closed
New Zealand's quake and tsunami monitoring centre closed for eight hours on Friday from 2pm to 10pm due to staff shortages.
Staff Shortages Cause Closure
Earth Sciences New Zealand confirmed the temporary closure, warning some products and services could be delayed until the centre reopened.
PSA Blames Funding Cuts
Public Service Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said government funding cuts reduced the centre's funding by $4 million and staffing by 25 percent.
Critical Service at Risk
Fitzsimons warned the closure was a scandal and national tragedy, stressing geohazard monitoring is critical for New Zealand's disaster response.
The bottom line
New Zealand's geohazard monitoring centre closed for eight hours on Friday due to staff shortages from government funding cuts.
