04/18 Common Alerting Protocol
Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) is an international, non-proprietary digital message format. It used for all-hazard emergency alerts.
The Organisation for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) developed the CAP standard. It is based on best practices identified in academic research and practical experience.
The National Emergency Management Agency leads the CAP-NZ Working Group. Membership includes government agencies, research institutes, and emergency hardware and software suppliers.
Benefits of CAP
A single CAP message can activate many compliant warning systems. It delivers consistent information to them all. People hearing the same words from different sources improves the credibility of the alert.
CAP features include:
- geo-targeting to a defined warning area,
- audio-visual content, and
- multilingual capability.
Why CAP is used
CAP is used throughout the world. Many software and hardware systems use CAP because of its widespread uptake. Other countries can use New Zealand CAP alerts and vice versa.
CAP-NZ Technical Standard
This technical standard includes a consistent approach to implementing CAP in New Zealand.
Download a copy of Common Alerting Protocol CAP-NZ Technical Standard [TS04/18] (pdf. 2mb)
Current users of CAP alerts in New Zealand
Government Enterprise Architecture for New Zealand (GEA-NZ) recognises CAP as a standard across New Zealand Government.
| Alerting authority | CAP feed | Content |
|---|---|---|
| GNS Science | https://api.geonet.org.nz/cap/1.2/GPA1.0/feed/atom1.0/quake | Earthquake |
| MetService | https://alerts.metservice.com/cap/rss | Severe weather |
| NEMA, CDEM Groups, Ministry of Health, New Zealand Police, Ministry for Primary Industries, Fire and Emergency New Zealand | https://alerthub.civildefence.govt.nz/rss/pwp or https://alerthub.civildefence.govt.nz/atom/pwp | Emergency Mobile Alert |