Verity Halkett

How can regulators respond effectively when chronic environmental non-compliance becomes operationally complex, or politically sensitive, and highly visible to affected communities?

This presentation outlines how a Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) approach was applied to ongoing odour complaints that significantly affected surrounding communities. Traditional regulatory approaches were struggling to maintain strategic oversight across multiple workstreams, stakeholders, technical issues, and escalating public concern. In response, Environment Canterbury adopted a CIMS-based structure to coordinate regulatory, technical, communications, cultural, and operational responses.

The presentation will demonstrate how applying CIMS principles outside of a traditional emergency response setting created clearer governance, defined accountability, and improved organisational coordination. Establishing a single controller with designated function leads enabled faster decision-making, improved situational awareness, and more consistent engagement across internal teams, communities, Rūnanga, agencies, and the regulated party. Information release and response were tightly managed and well received by stakeholders. The process helped break down internal silos and focus organisational resources.

Attendees will gain practical insights into:

• Adapting CIMS frameworks for complex compliance investigations.

• Establishing effective governance and accountability structures.

• Engaging with mana whenua and agencies.

• Coordinating multi-disciplinary regulatory responses.

• Maintaining community engagement during prolonged environmental incidents.

• Pitfalls and lessons learnt.

The session will encourage discussion on when a CIMS approach is appropriate for regulatory issues and how incident management disciplines can strengthen environmental compliance practice in Aotearoa.