Lifelines reports and resources

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/