Asian tsunami: managing the NZ media Brad Tattersfield Communications Manager Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

MFAT role Provision of consular services (assistance to NZers overseas) Main task in crises to coordinate NZ response, especially helping victims and locating missing NZers Rising public expectation of NZ govt assistance to NZers overseas

Crises – MFAT media objective To achieve and maintain public confidence in the government’s handling of the situation, through full, timely and appropriate release of information and explanation of strategy Media can play a constructive role, but also reflect/drive public perceptions - they can directly shape the operation and outcomes

Tsunami – key features Biggest consular emergency we’ve faced Slowish response initially due to holiday absences, but worked well once up and running Lessons of Bali applied – inter-agency coordination, ERT deployed, Red X call centre used

Tsunami – media management Minister fronted most media – eased pressure on officials We issued regular updates which served as talking points for Minister, ourselves and posts Media management rated highly Problems: multiple “missing lists,” privacy considerations, coordination with Phuket, no media person with ERT