Lifeline utility

In New Zealand, a lifeline utility is a service defined under one of the Schedules of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002.

The duties of lifeline utilities are defined in Section 60 of the Act. In short, a lifeline utility is legally required to function 'to the fullest possible extent' (even at a diminished level) during and after an emergency, participate in emergency management planning, and provide free-of-charge technical assistance to the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management.

Lifeline utilities under Schedule 1 include Radio NZ, TVNZ, airport companies and authorities, port companies and authorities, gas utilities, water utilities, power utilities, telecommunications networks, roading authorities, petroleum companies, rail network operators, and rail service operators.