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Dealing with records lost or damaged during extreme weather

The Public Records Act and dealing with damage or loss of records during extreme weather events

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3 February 2023

We're here to help. We can provide advice and answer questions about the damage or loss of public or protected records, and any related Public Records Act implications.

Please contact us as soon as you can if:

  • your public office (central government) has lost or damaged public records due to recent flooding and extreme weather events. This includes any of your regional offices, subsidiaries, or contracted non-government organisations.

  • your local authority has had any protected records lost or damaged beyond repair due to recent flooding. This includes any regional offices, council-controlled organisations and contracted third parties.

For guidance on the physical care and salvage of damaged public and local authority protected records, please contact our preservation team.

For guidance on care and recovery of digital records, please email rkadvice@dia.govt.nz.