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This paper provides a critique of New Zealand's policies on disaster risk reduction. The country faces significant risks associated with natural hazards and is one of the most vulnerable countries to such risks for its size. However, while it has many well-developed institutions and capacities dealing with disaster matters, there are significant shortcomings in concept, management and governance, particularly a lack of policy coherence and integration and a weak appreciation of disaster risk reduction concepts. To address these issues, the paper proposes a set of policy recommendations to upgrade conceptual approaches, legislation, roles, reporting, leadership, information and public engagement.